As the grand consecration ceremony for Ram Temple in Ayodhya approaches, a shocking racket to loot the faithful in the temple’s name has come to light. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has warned how cyber criminals have put out social media messages, seeking donations in the name of the temple. These messages also have a QR code. Scan-and-pay and the money goes to the swindlers.

VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal said the matter has been flagged to the Home Ministry and police chiefs in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. He stressed that Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the trust overseeing the construction of the temple, has not authorised anyone to collect funds.

सावधान..!!
श्री राम जन्मभूमि तीर्थ क्षेत्र के नाम से फर्जी आईडी बना कर कुछ लोग पैसा ठगी का प्रयास कर रहे हैं। @HMOIndia @CPDelhi @dgpup @Uppolice को ऐसे लोगों के विरूद्ध विलम्ब कार्यवाही करनी चहिए। @ShriRamTeerth has not authorised any body to collect funds for this occasion. pic.twitter.com/YHhgTBXEKi

— विनोद बंसल Vinod Bansal (@vinod_bansal) December 31, 2023

In a video message, Mr Bansal said they have recently been informed about the “ugly” attempts to collect money in the temple’s name. “Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Nyas has not authorised anyone to collect funds. I have written to the Home Ministry, Uttar Pradesh DGP and Delhi’s Commissioner of Police, seeking strict action so that people do not fall prey to such frauds. People need to be careful too,” he said. “This is an occasion for joy, we are sending out invitations. We will not accept any donation,” he said.

The matter, it is learnt, came to light after social media messages and phone calls asked people to donate to the temple. One of the persons who received a call shared the number with VHP workers. A VHP worker called the number and the fraudsters’ tactics were on display.

The VHP has shared an audio clip of the recorded phone call, the authenticity of which cannot be verified by NDTV. In the call, the VHP worker poses as someone who wanted to donate to the temple. When the caller says he wants to donate Rs 11,000 and others in the village were also keen to make donations, the alleged fraudster on the other side asks for a WhatsApp number where he can send the QR code.

To convince the caller, the alleged fraudster says the names and contact details of donors were being noted down and that they would be invited to the Ram Temple once construction work was completed. At one point, the alleged fraudster says a “war has broken out between Hindu and Muslim societies” and that the “Muslims are not letting the temple construction proceed”. “So we are collecting donation to build the temple,” he is heard saying.

When the caller asks for his name, the alleged fraudster says he is based out of Ayodhya and there are several groups collecting money for the temple.

Bollywood and its eternal love for retro songs seems to be a never-ending saga. Over the years, the trend of bringing back vintage songs in a reprised version in new films has been steadfastly growing. 2023 was one such year where many memorable old songs saw a comeback in blockbuster films of the year.

With the year coming to a close, here’s a look at our favourites.

Jhumka Gira Re as What Jhumka in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt

Bekarar Karke Hume played in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan

Aa Jaane Jaan from Intaquam had a reprised version in Sujoy Ghosh’s Jaane Jaan starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vijay Varma and Jaideep Ahlawat

Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar from Hum Dono was played during the much-talked-about kissing scene between Shabana Azmi and Dharmendra in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.

Stressing that Punjab’s tableau will not be showcased in a “rejected category”, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said the state’s tableau that was not selected for the Republic Day parade will not be displayed at Bharat Parv in Red Fort either.

Amid the political row over Punjab’s tableau not making it to the Republic Day parade in Delhi, the Defence Ministry had written to the state government, inviting them to display it during Bharat Parv from January 23 to 31.

In a social media post, Mr Mann has said the sacrifices of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Udham Singh and others will not be displayed in a “rejected category”. “They are our heroes, we know how to respect them,” he said.

The remark is Mr Mann’s latest strike in the tableau row. Earlier, he had accused the Centre of discriminating against Punjab and said that “if they have their way, they will take out the word ‘Punjab’ from the national anthem”.

In response, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar had accused Mr Mann of politicising the issue. He had claimed that Punjab’s tableau was not shortlisted because of its “crude” make. He also alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government wanted photos of party leader Arvind Kejriwal and Mr Mann on the tableau. This is not allowed as per protocol and is one of the reasons for the tableau’s rejection, he said.

This drew a sharp retort from the Chief Minister, who said he would quit politics if the state BJP president can prove his allegation.

“Jakhar should give proof that Arvind Kejriwal or Bhagwant Mann’s photos were to be put on the tableau. Do they think we are mad? If Jakhar can prove it, I will quit politics,” he said, adding that if he fails, “he should then also not enter Punjab”.

“Will (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi now choose which tableau is to be shown and which not,” Mr Mann said.

A Defence Ministry source has, meanwhile, said there is a well-established system for the selection of tableaux. “The tableaux proposals received from various States/UTs and Central Ministries/Departments are evaluated in a series of meetings of the “Expert Committee for selection of tableaux comprising eminent persons in the field of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography etc. The Expert Committee examines the proposals on the basis of theme, concept, design and its visual impact before making its recommendations,” the source said, according to news agency ANI.

Ministry of Defence Sources on the issue of alleged rejection of tableaux of Punjab and West Bengal for Republic Day 2024. pic.twitter.com/u7NP5kWZSa

— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2023

For the 2024 Republic Day, the source said, 30 states/Union Territories have shown the willingness to participate, but entries from only 15-16 will be selected.

“The tableau proposal of Punjab was considered in first three rounds of meeting of the Expert Committee. After the third round of meeting, the tableau of Punjab could not be taken forward by the Expert Committee for further consideration for not aligning to the broader themes of this year’s tableau,” the source said.

The source also noted that the tableau of Punjab has been shortlisted for the Republic Day parade six times in the last eight years.

Following the Defence Ministry’s explanation, AAP spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said Mr Jakhar now “stands exposed”.

Today,Mr. @sunilkjakhar stands exposed before the people of Punjab.

The Ministry of Defence’s clarification on the exclusion of Punjab’s tableau in the Republic Parade reveals the truth.

Mr Jakhar’s attempt to mislead Punjab, alleging the rejection was due to photos of… pic.twitter.com/CUfpEDi6ay

— Malvinder Singh Kang (@kang_malvinder) December 31, 2023

“The Ministry of Defence’s clarification on the exclusion of Punjab’s tableau in the Republic Parade reveals the truth. Mr Jakhar’s attempt to mislead Punjab, alleging the rejection was due to photos of Kejriwal ji and Mann Saab, now demands accountability. Where are the alleged designs carrying the pictures of Kejriwal Ji & Mann Saab, Mr Jakhar?” he asked.