Mathura

That’s Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS chief, seen moving in an e-cart at Mathura Junction.

On this special broadcast, the focus is on the vibrant New Year celebrations across India, specifically in Mathura. A reporter on the ground describes the electric atmosphere at the Banke Bihari temple, where thousands of devotees have gathered. The update highlights how people are eager to begin the year with a glimpse of the deity and prayers. Despite the jam-packed crowds, the correspondent notes the smiles and devotion on the faces of those waiting for darshan. The report also mentions simultaneous coverage from Manali, Srinagar, Hyderabad, and Ayodhya.

In this India Today broadcast, anchor Anjali Pandey reports on the new NCERT Class 7 Social Science textbook, which now includes a detailed six-page section on Mahmud of Ghazni. The updated curriculum highlights Ghazni's 17 campaigns, his plunder of wealthy cities like Mathura and Somnath, and the mass killings of civilians. Reporter Aishwarya Pallival joins the discussion to explain the shift in historical perspective, noting that the 'expansion mindset' and brutality of invaders are now described in greater detail compared to earlier editions. The segment also mentions that the textbook cites scholar Al-Biruni to underscore the impact on India's cultural heritage.

In a controversial statement, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Chief Mahmood Madani defended the concept of Jihad, asserting, 'Jab jab jhulm hoga tab tab jihad hoga' (Whenever there is oppression, there will be Jihad). Speaking in Bhopal, Madani claimed that holy terms like Jihad are being wrongly portrayed as synonyms for violence and cited terms like 'Land Jihad' and 'Thook Jihad' as tools to target Muslims. He also alleged that the courts are working under government pressure regarding issues like the Gyanvapi and Mathura disputes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned the remarks. BJP MP Sambit Patra termed the speech 'irresponsible' and an 'attempt to divide the country', stating that terror has often been spread globally in the name of Jihad.

This special report examines the economic transformation of Ayodhya following the inauguration of the Ram Mandir. It covers the city's emergence as a fast-growing economic hub, driven by a surge in religious tourism, massive infrastructure investments, and a booming hospitality sector. The report details how this growth is creating jobs and contributing to Uttar Pradesh's goal of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy. According to the Bureau Report, 'Ayodhya's transformation is a story of faith becoming fuel for development'. The city has seen an unprecedented influx of tourists, with over 23 crore visitors in the first half of 2025 alone, and is now a key pillar in the state's economic strategy.

This bulletin focuses on the Dwajarohan ceremony in Ayodhya, marking the full completion of the Ram Mandir. The programme contrasts the temple's grand present with its past, featuring insights from author Advaita Kala and India Today's Senior Executive Editor Gaurav Sawant. It covers the role of the RSS in the temple movement, the development of Ayodhya under Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government, and the use of technology in creating a spiritual tourism circuit. Guest Advaita Kala states, 'I call it almost the dharma grid, this sort of reimagination of Uttar Pradesh from the spiritual point of view, the fact that this has huge tourism potential for the state'. The report also touches upon the transformation of Ayodhya from a small town into a major pilgrimage hub with new infrastructure, and the economic potential this brings.

The discussion centres on the transformation of Ayodhya and the development of religious tourism across Uttar Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Commentators Advaita Kala and Gaurav Sawant explore the infrastructural and economic revival, including the development of highways, the airport, and the state's 'sacred geography' which includes sites like Kashi and the Buddhist circuit. Gaurav explains the philosophy behind this push, stating, 'You have your Ram Mandir But you also have your Brahma supersonic cruise missile and you also are aspiring to be the third largest economy in the world And you're also sending a Gaganyaan and a mission to moon. So you're doing everything together It is not either or'. The bulletin covers the reclamation of civilisational heritage through legal means, the economic potential of tourism, and the vision of balancing faith with national progress in science and the economy.

The top focus of this episode of India First is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ayodhya on November 25 for the 'Dwajarohan' ceremony at the newly completed Ram Mandir.

This special report focuses on the Dharam Dhwaj (flag hoisting) ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the temple's completion. The programme covers the event's symbolism, including the PM's interaction with representatives of the Vanchit Samaj, and features an interview with S. Gurumurthy, editor of Thuglak magazine, on the temple's significance for India's civilisational identity. S. Gurumurthy states, 'It is an announcement to the world that Indian civilization is a living civilization and it is now a proud civilization and it is not against anybody'. The report details the flag ceremony scheduled for November 25, coinciding with Vivah Panchami, and explores the message of social unity, with Dalits, transgenders, and other communities invited to the event.

On this special report, Thuglak Editor S. Gurumurthy discusses the Ayodhya Ram temple as a symbol of India's civilisational rise and the reassertion of its ancient culture. According to S. Gurumurthy, 'It is an announcement to the world that Indian civilization is a living civilization'. He frames the temple's establishment not as an isolated event but as part of a global trend of civilisational revival, citing examples from China and Russia. Gurumurthy also addresses the path forward for disputes in Kashi and Mathura, advocating for dialogue over litigation and blaming 'vote bank politics' for past failures. The report covers his views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's outreach to the 'Vanchit Samaj', linking it to the inclusive principles symbolised by Lord Ram's life and the foundation stone for the temple being laid by a Dalit.

This report focuses on the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, which has entered the 'severe' category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has surpassed the 400 mark in multiple locations, including Anand Vihar (442) and Burari (433), enveloping the National Capital Region in a thick layer of smog. According to a reporter on the ground, 'you can easily see a thick layer of smoke which has engulfed the National Capital region'. In response, the government has implemented GRAP 3 measures, and private offices have been advised to shift to work-from-home. The bulletin also notes the political discourse, with the Aam Aadmi Party targeting other parties over the pollution crisis as Delhi is described as turning into a 'gas chamber'.

On this Special Report, acclaimed archaeologist and Padma Shri awardee K. K. Mohammed discusses the Ayodhya verdict, other temple-mosque disputes, and the state of heritage preservation in India. Voicing strong criticism of the current government's approach to cultural heritage, he states, 'We call it as the dark age of the period of BJP for the last 11 years. It is the dark age of the archaeological survey of India.' Mohammed, a former Regional Director of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), recounts his team's findings that pointed to a temple structure beneath the Babri Masjid and accuses 'communist historians' of misleading the Muslim community. He appeals to Muslims to willingly hand over the Gyanvapi and Mathura sites to Hindus, comparing their importance for Hindus to Mecca and Medina for Muslims, while also urging the Hindu community to refrain from further claims. The archaeologist also systematically debunks claims of the Taj Mahal being a Hindu temple, citing architectural evidence.

In a historic development, Vrindavan’s Banke Bihari temple treasury was unsealed after 54 years on Dhanteras 2025. The reopening took place under a Supreme Court directive, overseen by a High Court-appointed committee. Mathura CO Sandeep Singh confirmed the entire process was videographed, with strict security in place. Entry was restricted to authorised officials, including judicial and administrative officers, along with four nominated Goswamis.

Amid rising water near an underpass in Mathura, Traffic Head Constable Kuldeep Malik displayed remarkable courage and quick thinking to prevent a major accident as he rescued people stuck in car. His decisive action ensured the safety of all involved.

An NDA delegation of MPs, which is in Karur to meet the family members of stampede victims, blamed the administration and organisers for the deaths at Vijay's rally.

The flood situation in Uttar Pradesh is described as grim, with the Yamuna river flowing 50 to 60 centimeters above the danger mark in Mathura. A ground report from Vishram Ghat shows villages and temple ghats partially submerged due to the horrifying water flow.

On News Track, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's press conference is decoded. He clarified that the RSS does not direct the BJP or influence the selection of its president. Bhagwat dismissed talks of his retirement at 75, stating, "I never said that I will retire or someone should retire." He asserted that he would continue to serve as long as the Sangh requires. The RSS chief also commented that the organisation would support any political party, not just the BJP, if its objectives align with Sangh principles. Furthermore, he addressed the significance of Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura for Hindus, clarifying that while the Sangh would not lead movements for the latter two, its members are free to participate. The show features a debate on these statements between Congress spokesperson Charan Singh Sapra and RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha.

This episode of To The Point features an analysis of the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's press conference, held after a three-day conclave in the national capital.

A stretch of NH24 in East Delhi resembled an open-air swimming pool on Friday morning after a heavy spell of rain submerged major parts of the city. In a viral sight, several men were seen diving off the roof of a stranded Rapid Transit Vehicle (RTV) bus and swimming in the inundated stretch. While some turned the waterlogged road into a spectacle, commuters across the national capital were caught in crippling traffic jams. Key arterial routes, including the Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) flyway, Mathura Road, Vikas Marg, ISBT, Geeta Colony, and Rajaram Kohli Marg, witnessed long snarls. A queue of vehicles stretching from Badarpur to Ashram added to the chaos, with office-goers and school buses bearing the brunt. The Delhi Traffic Police said its personnel were stationed at multiple choke points to manage congestion and regulate movement, but heavy rainfall and waterlogging continued to slow down traffic across the city.

A political clash has erupted in Karnataka after the state government granted Rs 10 crore in aid for the rehabilitation of landslide victims in Wayanad, Kerala. The decision, part of a supplementary budget, has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, which questioned the government's priorities, alleging it is ignoring the debts of its own farmers. The BJP also accused the Congress of misusing funds for political reasons, with one critic stating, “Just because Priyanka Mathura is a MP, there is a political commitment for the present regime in Karnataka, they have given 10 crores.” The Congress has defended the move as a humanitarian act and a federal responsibility. It countered by arguing that if the Prime Minister can send aid to other countries, the state government should not be questioned for assisting a neighbouring state, adding that if they are wrong, then PM Modi is also wrong. The controversy arises as the state government has reportedly faced challenges with funding its own MLAs.