Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s call for a DNA test of the accused in the Ayodhya rape case has drawn criticism from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which invoked Mulayam Singh Yadav’s controversial ‘boys make mistakes’ remark on rape. The incident has fueled political tensions in Uttar Pradesh, with the BJP accusing the SP of shielding the accused.
The bakery owned by Samajwadi Party leader Moid Khan, arrested for gang-raping a minor, was demolished in Ayodhya on Saturday. Authorities claimed the building was illegally built over a pond, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured strict action against the accused. The incident sparked controversy with the Samajwadi Party distancing itself from Khan and urging the BJP to avoid politics over the matter.
The Uttar Pradesh government has transferred several IAS officers, including the District Magistrate of Ayodhya, Nitish Kumar, who has been appointed the MD of Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. Chandra Vijay Singh has been made the new DM of Ayodhya, while Badri Nath Singh has been appointed the new DM of Sonbhadra.
The priests at the Ayodhya Ram Temple have adopted a new dress code, featuring yellow dhotis and kurtas, and are now prohibited from carrying mobile phones within the shrine. The change aims to maintain the sanctity and tradition of the temple.
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Heavy pre-monsoon rains in Ayodhya have exposed infrastructure flaws, causing flooding, waterlogging, and even affecting the newly inaugurated Ram Mandir. The temple’s roof is leaking, and the city’s streets are submerged, raising concerns about hasty construction and inadequate planning.
The roof of the newly constructed Ayodhya Ram Mandir is reportedly leaking, causing concern over the temple’s construction process and casting doubt on the July 2025 completion deadline. The chief priest, Acharya Satyendra Das, expressed surprise and concern over the leakage, highlighting the lack of proper drainage and raising questions about the quality of the construction. He emphasized the need for immediate action and investigation to address the issue, particularly considering the potential impact on prayer rituals as rainfall intensifies.
SpiceJet has discontinued its direct flights from Hyderabad to Ayodhya, effective June 1, due to low ticket sales. The thrice-weekly service, which began on April 2, operated an Airbus A320 aircraft and took about two hours to complete. Passengers now face a layover in Delhi and a total flight time of over seven hours. The airline’s decision reflects a decline in enthusiasm for visiting Ayodhya despite the religious significance for devotees.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has emerged victorious in the recently concluded Lok Sabha Election 2024, surpassing the majority mark of 272 seats. However, the saffron party fell short of its target of winning 370 seats on its own and securing over 400 seats with its allies. Despite a loss of 63 seats compared to its 2019 tally, the BJP claimed a significant victory, with 240 seats under its belt. The Indian National Congress (INC) made significant gains, winning 99 seats, but remained the largest opposition party. The election results have been met with mixed reactions from foreign media, some noting a decline in support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party and the end of an era of invincibility. The BJP’s loss in the Ayodhya constituency, where the prestigious Ram Mandir project is located, has been seen as a particular setback. The outcome is expected to herald a return to coalition politics in India, with challenges ahead for the government in terms of passing legislation and managing different interests.
Pilgrimage tourism in India is experiencing a resurgence, with travel agencies reporting a surge in demand ranging from 30% to 100% compared to last summer. Despite the heat, travelers are flocking to popular pilgrimage destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Uttarakhand, the Char Dham circuit, and Tirupati. Hotel companies are also benefiting from the increased demand, with Sarovar Hotels & Resorts projecting a significant contribution from religious and pilgrimage travel. The hotel industry is expected to record a 7-9% revenue growth in FY25, underpinned by domestic leisure travel, including pilgrimage tourism.
