Ahmedabad, 8 February 2012

While hearing a petition filed by Islamic Relief Committee of Gujarat(IRCG) in year 2003, the Gujarat High Court division bench of acting chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J.B. Pardiwala today pulled up the Gujarat government for “inaction and negligence” on its part during the 2002 post-Godhra riots that led to large-scale destruction of religious structures. The court said that when the government had paid compensation for destruction of houses and commercial establishments, it should also pay compensation for religious structures.

The court also ordered that principal judges of 26 districts of the state will receive the applications for compensation of religious structures in their respective districts and decide on it. They have been asked to send their decisions to HC within six months.

IRCG’s petition had sought court’s directions to the government to pay compensation towards damage of religious places during riots on the ground that the National Human Rights Commission, too, had recommended that.

The state government had opposed the IRCG petition, saying it was a violation of article 27 of the Constitution.

The government further said that there was no policy with regards to compensation for restoration/repair of religious places damaged or destroyed during the riots.

By Rupang Bhatt, Ahmedabad, 7 February, 2012

The Gujarat High Court today gave anticipatory bail to central Gujarat based popular saint and legendary travel writer Swami Sachchidananda in Babu Mohania death case.

Swami Shri Sachchidanand had challenged Anand sessions court order of denying anticipatory bail to him.

It is well known story of yesteryears that Swami Sachchidananda had allegedly shot at one unidentified person in year 2006 from his weapon in self protection when a group of robbers entered in his Bhakti Niketan ashram in dark hours of night. The story was in prominent newspapers a day after that Swami had fired three rounds from his weapon, and the robbers fled away from Dantali ashram after firing.

Few days later it was claimed by others that the person injured from Swamiji’s bullet was Babu Mohania, a tribal man who died ultimately allegedly from Swamiji’s bullet.

This all happened at a time when Swami Sachchidanand had openly taken a stand against powerful Jayshree didi of Swadhyay Pariwar after Pankaj Trivedi’s brutal murder in Ahmedabad.

The Ashram episode of robbery came out in completely new version after few days, possibly with somebody powerful backing Dhanabhai Mohania, relative of one Babu Mohania an illiterate tribal who filed complaint against Swami and fought the case upto the Supreme Court. The version Dhanabhai Mohania submitted before the court creates a picture that tribals are beaten in Hindu ashram when they go to demand food!!!

Dhanabhai Punabhai Mohania filed complaint in Petlad court against Swamiji and others for the offenses punishable under Sections 302, 114 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as “IPC”) and under the provisions of the Arms Act and under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (hereinafter referred to as “Atrocities Act”) which was registered as Criminal Inquiry Case No.5/2007.

It was alleged in the said complaint that uncle of the complainant Babubhai Malabhai Mohania was a labourer. On 17.07.2006, said Babubhai could not arrange for food for his children. He, therefore, went to Ashram of the petitioner hoping that he might find some food there. It was alleged that Swamiji’s four aides were present in the Ashram. When he asked for food, it was refused and he was insulted and pushed on the ground. Thereafter, there was a scuffle and Swamiji’s men started beating him. It is alleged that Babubhai also started attacking the said accused persons in self defence at which time accused Swamiji’s men shouted for accused Swamiji who came out with his revolver and fired injuring Babubhai near his right shoulder. That thereafter the said Babubhai ran away and went to Anand Hospital and thereafter, to Ahmedabad where he died. His wife, Mangiben performed his last rites. It is alleged that some three days thereafter, police had come to their house and and inquired about the place where Babubhai’s body was burnt. Village people had shown them the spot from where, from the burnt ashes with the help of a magnet, they had recovered a small iron pallet which the police had put in a packet and seized along with the bones. The complainant had thereafter gone to the police station on several occasions. However, his complaint was not being attended to. He, therefore, filed the impugned private complaint in the Court of learned JMFC, Petlad alleging that all the accused had committed offence punishable under Section 302 with 114 of the IPC and the Arms Act and the Atrocities Act.

But Petlad court had freed Swami Sachchidanand from all charges against him.

Learned Magistrate of Petlad recorded the statement of the complainant on verification on 04.01.2007. In the statement, complainant stated that when the dead body of Babubhai was brought home, he had seen a deep injury mark on the right side of the back portion. Wife of the deceased had told him about what had happened. He was told that after being injured deceased had gone to Anand and in the early morning he was shifted to Ahmedabad where he died. His body was brought to the native place in an ambulance. On 4.1.2007, learned Magistrate ordered Court inquiry under Section 202 of the CrPC. That the learned Magistrate examined several witnesses. Certain documents were also produced before him. He ultimately passed order dated 12.9.2007 and dismissed the complaint under Section 203 of the CrPC.

Wife of the Babu Mohania had told petitioner about what had happened. Petitioner Mohania was told that after being injured deceased had gone to Anand and in the early morning he was shifted to Ahmedabad where he died. His body was brought to the native place in an ambulance. Petlad Magistrate recorded statements of Mansang Veerchand Solanki, Ramilaben Navabhai Parmar, Parnambhai Punabhai Mohaniya, Mangiben Babubhai Mohania i.e wife of deceased and Rameshbhai Madhiyabhai Damor who claimed to be with the deceased at Dantali Ashram when the alleged incident took place.

Wife of deceased Babubhai had stated before the Petlad Court that she did not know exactly what incident had taken place. However, her husband had told her that he had received bullet injury. When he was being taken to her parents house near Ahmedabad, her husband had died. Thereupon his dead body was brought to the native place where his last rites were performed. Police had come and inquired about the incident. Further witness Rameshbhai Madhiyabhai Damor had stated before the Court that he was with the deceased on the date of incident. They had gone to Ashram and asked for food by knocking at the door. After opening the door, people of Ashram had insulted them and started beating up his brother-in-law i.e Babubhai Mohania. He had started shouting for help since people were beating up Babubhai at which point of time, Maharaj had fired from his gun on Babubhai who received bullet injury. He had thereafter, taken Babubhai out of the Ashram. He had gone to Anand, collected some money and brought him to Ahmedabad where Babubhai died in Rickshaw.

Petlad Magistrate came to the conclusion that evidence of witnesses was not reliable. He was of the opinion that except for witness Rameshbhai Madhiyabhai Damor, there was no other person present at Dantali Ashram with Babubhai when the alleged incident took place. He however discarded the evidence of Rameshbhai Madhiyabhai Damor finding it doubtful and not reliable. He was of the opinion that complainant had not stated in the complaint that Rameshbhai Madhiyabhai Damor was present at Dantali Ashram and evidence of Rameshbhai Madhiyabhai Damor therefore, cannot be relied upon. Learned Judge further observed that if the said witness had taken Babubhai to a Government hospital, his life could have been saved. He was therefore, of the opinion that due to negligence of this witness, Babubhai died. Learned Judge further opined that one who seeks equity must come with clean hands. He was of the opinion that the complainant had not come to the Court with clean hands.

Petitioner Dhanabhai Mohania challenged local court’s order in Gujarat High Court then after.

On 30th October, 2010, Gujarat High Court Justice Akil Kureshi directed Petlad court to proceed against Swami under murder and arms act related charges.

Akil Kureshi in his judgement said:

-PetladMagistrate committed an error in dismissing the complaint for offence punishable under Section 302 of the IPC and the Arms Act against Swamiji.

-Whether Swamiji had fired in self defence or even if such defence was valid, whether he exceeded such right of self defence are questions which can be gone into only at the time of trial and not at this stage.

-Insofar as rest of the accused(other than Swamiji)are concerned, however, there is nothing on record to link them with the said firing. Their involvement for offense under Section 302 read with Section 114 of IPC is simply not made out. With respect to allegations of offense punishable under the Atrocities Act, allegations are too general. None of the witnesses including Rameshbhai Madhiyabhai Damor alleged as to which accused abused or insulted the deceased or anyone else in the name of caste. Against accused no.2 to 5 therefore, there is no case to proceed further.

-Learned Magistrate shall issue process under Section 204 of the Code of Criminal Procedure against Swamiji for offense under Section 302 of the IPC and under the Arms Act and proceed further in accordance with law, thereafter.

Swami challenged the High Court order in Supreme Court but failed to get relief.

Soon after this, while speaking in a function held at Mahesana town of north Gujarat last year, Swami Shri Sachchidanandaji had said that nobody was injured by his gun shot in July 2006 night. He said Babu Mohania died of diabetes in Ahmedabad hospital and his death had nothing to do with Dantali Ashram.

“I had kept my gun down while firing rounds that night to avoid injury to any of the outsiders who had attacked my Ashram. This man Babu Mohania died due to diabetes in Ahmedabad’s hospital. His death was deliberately connected to Ashram firing, by specific people targeting me. Actually nobody was injured when I fired from my gun,” Swamiji said.

It should be mentioned that attack by unidentified persons who were conceived as robbers in Swami’s Dantali ashram, had taken place few days after Swami Sachchidananda openly held a public meeting against Swadhyay Parivar’s present leadership. The public meeting was held after Swadhyay Parivar rebellion Pankaj Trivedi was murdered.

Swamiji urged the Supreme Court for relief in Babu Mohania case citing his age and his religious position. In response, the Supreme Court had directed that Swamiji should not be arrested before 1st of February 2012.

Now in February, the Anand sessions court has denied anticipatory bail to Swamiji after which he has been untraceable for some time. Later the decision of Anand sessions court was challenged in the Gujarat High Court.

Today Gujarat High Court has given anticipatory bail to Swamiji.

Ahmedabad, 5 February, 2012

Inaugurating the platinum jubilee celebration of Brahma Kumaris organization in Ahmedabad Chief Minister Narendra Modi said the notion ‘entire world is a family and we are all children of one God’ is a way out from all the problems of the world.

India’s spiritual potential is our life-force. By demonstrating its spiritual potential before the world, India would be able to show the world a path of welfare, Chief Minister said.

Mr. Modi said the philosophy of ‘Vasudaiv Kutumbkam’ or ‘entire world is a family’ is in the bases Indian culture. This philosophy will even put a stop to the issue of terrorism.

Going deep into the philosophy of duality and non-duality Chief Minister said the idea of non-duality can only be actualized if there is an absence of the notion of duality. The concept of Advaita (non-duality), which is associated with Adi Shakaracharya, had already been spoken about and practiced millennia back in India.

The mentality that ‘my God and my religion is superior than your’s’ is the bases of many conflicts in the world. But Indian culture incorporates a universal approach. It gives one a freedom to choose his God and his spiritual path. This leads to an atmosphere of peace, unity and harmony in the society, he said.

Love towards the nature is a path of salvage from the problem of global warming. This path is showed to us by our ancestors. The materialistic lifestyle has led the world to many troubles, he said.

Mr. Modi said the Brahma Kumaris has given the world a new value-system by honouring the women-power. Brahma Kumaris movement encourages us to be determined for giving respect to the matri-shakti.

Managing Trustee of BK Niverji hoped that as Gujarat strives to be on first position in all aspects during Mr. Modi’s regime, the state will also be first in the reestablishment of golden epoch.

Ahmedabad Mayor Asit Vora, Dadi Gulzar, Star speaker BK Shivani, BK Sarladidi, Brahma Kumari brothers and sisters and invited guests were also present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister also visited a spiritual fun park which was erected as a part of platinum celebration.

Ahmedabad, 3 February, 2012

International spiritual organization, headquartered in Abu, Brahma Kumaris is celebrating platinum jubilee event at Ahmedabad’s Satellite road based Venus Ground for three days. The event was kicked off on Saturday and will continue till February 9. A spiritual fun park has been set up to make people understand issues of life.

This lady is standing in a dress of goddess Amba. She can stand like this for three-four hours continuously. Also there’s a rakshasha (asura) on the ground who continues to stay in this style for three-four hours continuously. This is a type of Yoga performed in Brahmakumaris in which ladies are trained to stay in one position for a long time.

Attractive decoration and moving statues have been the main attraction of three-day Brahmakumaris event in Ahmedabad on Satellite road based Venus ground.

And the main attraction is this statue of sleeping giant. When he wakes up, children in audience cheer with joy. Also watch the central decoration in the photo.

Ahmedabad, 4 February, 2012

According to sources in Gandhinagar, the district Collector of Jamnagar has proposed the state government that Jamnagar district’s coastal Rukshmani mandir, Beyt Dwarka mandir and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga mandir should cease to be under the control of various local trusts and should be managed by a new committee headed by the district Collector.

The temples, district collector has proposed to manage and control are Patrani mandir and Dwarkadhish mandir of Beyt Dwarka which is located 2 km from Dwarka, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga mandir which is situated at a location 15 km away from Dwarka, and Rukshmani mandir which is situated at 2 km distance from the main Dwarkiadheesh mandir.

According to district collector’s proposal submitted to Gandhinagar, individual trusts are not able to provide proper security cover to these important religious places. Even for proper maintenance and management, it is very necessary that a unified body under the leadership of district collector is created to take control of the temples that are now managed by different local trusts.

Ahmedabad, 2 February, 2012

Central Gujarat based popular saint and legendery travel writer Swami Shri Sachchidanand today challenged Anand sessions court order of denying anticipatory bail to him in the Gujarat High Court.

Swami Sachchidananda had allegedly shot at one unidentified person in year 2006 from his weapon in self protection when a group of robbers entered in his ashram in dark hours of night. Swami had fired three rounds from his weapon.The robbers fled away from Dantali ashram after firing.

Later it was claimed by others that one injured robber was Babu Mohania who died ultimately.

In this regard, one advocate Mr. Lakhani filed petition in Petlad court against Swami Sachidananda.

But Petlad court had freed Swami Sachchidanand from all charges against him.

Lakhani challenged local court’s order in Gujarat High Court then after.

On 30th October, 2010, the Gujarat High Court Justice Akil Qureshi directed Petlad court to proceed against Swami under murder and arms act related charges. Swami challenged the High Court order in Supreme Court but failed to get relief.

Soon after this, while speaking in a function held at Mahesana town of north Gujarat last year, Swami Shri Sachchidanandaji had said that nobody was injured by his gun shot in July 2006 night. He said Babu Mohania died of diabetes in Ahmedabad hospital and his death had nothing to do with Dantali Ashram.

“I had kept my gun down while firing rounds that night to avoid injury to any of the outsiders who had attacked my Ashram. This man Babu Mohania died due to diabetes in Ahmedabad’s hospital. His death was deliberately connected to Ashram firing, by specific people targeting me. Actually nobody was injured when I fired from my gun,” Swamiji said.

It should be mentioned that attack by unidentified persons who were conceived as robbers in Swami’s Dantali ashram, had taken place few days after Swami Sachchidananda openly held a public meeting against Swadhyay Parivar’s present leadership. The public meeting was held after Swadhyay Parivar rebellion Pankaj Trivedi was murdered.

Swamiji urged the Supreme Court for relief in Babu Mohania case citing his age and his religious position. In response, the Supreme Court had directed that Swamiji should not be arrested before 1st of February 2012.

Now February 2012 is here, and Anand sessions court order indicates arrest of Swamiji at any time.

While Swamiji is untraceable, the decision of Anand sessions court has been challenged in the Gujarat High Court.

Anand, 1 February 2012

In an unfortunate development, the Sessions court of Anand today denied anticipatory bail to popular and legendary Swami Shri Sachchidananda This makes his arrest possible at any point of time in Babu Mohania death case.

Swami Sachchidananda had allegedly shot at one unidentified person in year 2006 from his weapon in self protection when a group of robbers entered in his ashram in dark hours of night. Swami had fired three rounds from his weapon.The robbers fled away from Dantali ashram after firing.

Later it was claimed by others that one injured robber was Babu Mohania who died ultimately.

In this regard, one advocate Mr. Lakhani filed petition in Petlad court against Swami Sachidananda.

But Petlad court had freed Swami Sachchidanand from all charges against him.

Lakhani challenged local court’s order in Gujarat High Court then after.

On 30th October, 2010, the Gujarat High Court Justice Akil Qureshi directed Petlad court to proceed against Swami under murder and arms act related charges. Swami challenged the High Court order in Supreme Court but failed to get relief.

Soon after this, while speaking in a function held at Mahesana town of north Gujarat last year, Swami Shri Sachchidanandaji had said that nobody was injured by his gun shot in July 2006 night. He said Babu Mohania died of diabetes in Ahmedabad hospital and his death had nothing to do with Dantali Ashram.

“I had kept my gun down while firing rounds that night to avoid injury to any of the outsiders who had attacked my Ashram. This man Babu Mohania died due to diabetes in Ahmedabad’s hospital. His death was deliberately connected to Ashram firing, by specific people targeting me. Actually nobody was injured when I fired from my gun,” Swamiji said.

It should be mentioned that attack by unidentified persons who were conceived as robbers in Swami’s Dantali ashram, had taken place few days after Swami Sachchidananda openly held a public meeting against Swadhyay Parivar’s present leadership. The public meeting was held after Swadhyay Parivar rabalion Pankaj Trivedi was murdered.

Swamiji urged the Supreme Court for relief in Babu Mohania case citing his age and his religious position. In response, the Supreme Court had directed that Swamiji should not be arrested before 1st of February 2012.

Now February 2012 is here, and Anand session court order today indicates arrest of Swamiji at any time.

Ahmedabad, 27 January 2012

Shri Amitabh Bachchan was today at Modhera sun temple to shoot for Gujarat Tourism TV advertisement campaign.Shri Bachchan arrived at Ahemdabad airport early in the morning at 7.35 in scheduled Kingfisher flight. He straight away drove to Modhera. Shri Bachchan is having night halt at Shanku’s water park on Ahmedabad-Mehsana road. Shri Bachchan is scheduled to visit north Gujarat’s district headquarter Patan, which is Gujarat’s old capital town. Shri Bachchan will shoot at Rani ki vav and will promote Patola textile art in Patan. Following are Shri Bachchan’s tweets on his Modhera experience.

-Overwhelmed Sun temple Modhera … architecture, science, ritual, belief, plundered by invaders .. why must they destroy beauty

-In World War II, much destruction of world heritage, but when Nazi’s reached Paris, they never touched its natural beauty!!

-The place of prayer of the Sun Temple, Modhera ….. intricacy of sand stone work … incredible !!

-The water body at Sun Temple … where the king bathed did pooja at 108 gods images and then main temple

-Sun temple designed so the morning sun ray fell inside on deity head carrying diamond which reflected light

-Sun temple at Modhera, Gujarat built in 1026 AD because tropic of Cancer passes through that position ! How did they find out then?

There are 12 such temples built all over the region .. one is in Multan too now in Pakistan … and other Konark

blocks were cut in one piece and a lever system was used where one block sat upon another through a lever .. ingenious

Bachchan blogged late in the evening on Saturday: “I am sleep deprived. Not having slept last night in Mumbai since work and activities finished late and by the time it was 3 AM, it was an hour away from catching the flight to Ahmedabad and then driving a few hours to Modhera, the Sun Temple. Exquisite is the word for it, but even that seems almost apologetic when we wish to describe the sight of this monument.”

Shri Bachchan will be in Gujarat till 1st of February. His next destinations in Gujarat in this phase of ad shoot will be Patan, Siddhpur, Vadnagar, Ambaji and Amdavad. He will then return to Mumbai, but will come back in February for shooting at Saputara next month via Nashik airport.

Shri Somnath, 27 January 2012

For last some time, Shri Somnath is witnessing more and more arrival of tourists. Lastly Shri Lilawati Bhavan was added to tourist infrastructure at Shri Somnath with food facility, mineral water supply and wi-fi internet. Moreover Sagar darshan atithi bhavan’s work is in progress. To provide facility of stay to tourists, Shri Somnath Trust had prepared Rs 12 crore project of a new 134-room guest house with elevator.

When Shiva bhakt Shri Gendalal Somaniji visited Shri Somnath mahadev, he wished to give donation to Shri Somnath Trust. When Shri Keshubhai Patel presented Rs 12 crore project of new 134-room guest house building for pilgrims, Shri Somaniji agreed to donate some money to this cause through Maheshwari community.

After several rounds of meetings in Shri Somnath, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Vadoara, Mumbail Kolkata, Bangalore and Delhi, Shri Somaniji and Maheshwari community managed to collect Rs 4 crore donation for a new guest house. This fund is enough to build 100 rooms, while attempts are on to collect more donation for rest of the 34 rooms. As per Shri Gendalal Somaniji’s wish, a new 134-room guest house for pilgrims and tourist, just next to existing Lilawati atithi gruh has been named as Shri Somnath Maheshwari Samaj Atithigruh.

This 134-room guest house is located at just 300 meter distance from Shri Somnath mandir. A new guest house will come up over 10080 square meter. The built up area will be about 10071 square ft. Ground plus four floor construction will have two elevators. Size of each room will be around 279 square ft, and each room will have a facility of gallery. Each room will have attached toilet-bathroom, TV-intercom system, cool water. A new complex will have service room, activity room and a food place that can accommodate 200 persons at a time. A new facility is located at 200 meter distance from ST stand.

A ground breaking ceremony for new building was held today in presence of former Chief Minister and Chairman of Shri Somnath Trust Shri Keshubhai Patel. Maheshwari community’s Vice President Shri Jodhrajji Ladda, Shri Ramnivas Rathi, Shri Gendalal Somaniji, Deputy Secretary Shri KM Rawal, Dr Yashodharbhai Bhatt, former central minister Shri Vallabhbhal Kathiria among others.

Shri Somnath, 23 January 2011

Presented above are the photos of Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi visiting Shri Somnath mandir today morning ahead of his Sadbhavana mission fast at Prabhas Patan/Somnath. Shri Modi is one of the trustees of Shri Somnath trust. During his visit, Shri Modi took a stock of Somnath beach development project and security of the mandir complex.

Ahmedabad, 20 January 2011

Shri Khodaldham trust has undertaken a mission of building the eternal-great shrine of Maa Khodal at village Kagvad, near Virpur in Rajkot district of Gujarat.

As a part of this, a holy ritual of groundbreaking ceremony will be held on January 21, 2012, Saturday at Kagvad.

Around 2.1 million people from Leuva Patel community of Gujarat are expected to attend this occasion.

According to Shri Naresh Patel, organizer of this event and President of Shri Khodaldham trust, as many as 21000 couples will worship the holy stones and bricks that are to be used in the making in the making of mandir.

Their joining hands during this event is likely to get its place in Guinness book of world records. The adjudication manager of Guinness world records has confirmed his visit to record this event according to Patel.