A former Buddhist monk on Wednesday was sentenced to 16 years in prison for the rape and abduction of an underage girl, officials said.


Former Buddhist monk gets 16-year jail for abduction, rape


IANS Automatic

Police used lathis after protesters opposed to the entry of women in the 10-50 age group to the Sabarimala temple turned violent and attacked journalists covering the stand-off here on Wednesday.


Protests near Sabarimala turn violent, 2 female journalists injured


Thousands from India and abroad on Wednesday thronged the famed Belur Math here to witness the annual ritual of worshipping pre-pubertine girls, also called "Kumari Puja".


Thousands throng Belur Math to witness worship of pre-pubertine girls


Traditionalists opposed to the entry of women in the 10-50 age group to the Sabarimala temple despite a Supreme Court ruling took on the Kerala government on Wednesday, forcibly turning back stray women visiting the shrine despite police assurances that no one will be prevented from taking part in the pilgrimage.


Showdown near Sabarimala, two women turned back


Noted writer-historian Rana Safvi has translated four Urdu narratives spanning the period of turmoil that led to the revolt of 1857, and culminated in the fall of the Mughal Empire.


Love, loss and betrayal in 19th century Delhi


Six members of a family were killed and 15 others injured in a road accident in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district early on Wednesday, police said.


Six of family die in Andhra accident


For nearly four decades, Muslims in this Bihar village have been helping Hindus celebrate Dussehra and playing mythical characters in the Ramlila -- a dramatic representation of the life of Lord Rama. The village is an example of India's composite culture and the communal harmony lived through Dussehra.


Shaikh Akleem is 'Sita', Afzal Ansari is 'Lord Shiva' in this Bihar Ramlila


Strong protests by Sabarimala traditionalists on Wednesday forced a 40-year-old Andhra woman and her family to abandon their trip to the Lord Ayyappa temple.


Sabarimala protesters force Andhra woman to back down


Heavy police presence across Tamil Nadu to prevent any untoward incident. Photo: Twitter (@ANI_news)

Security at various places in Kerala including at the famed Sabarimala temple was hiked

Security hiked in Kerala-Tamil Nadu border as Jayalalithaa critical

IANS

Kerala Police chief Loknath Behra on Wednesday said no one will be stopped from going to Sabarimala as the chief priest of the Lord Ayyappa temple announced that women from the royal and tantri families will take part in the prayers.


None will be stopped from going to Sabarimala: Police chief


Congress President Rahul Gandhi's proposed visit to the city during Durga Puja has been cancelled due to his campaign schedule ahead of the elections in the five states, said a senior state party leader on Tuesday.


Rahul Gandhi's visit to Kolkata during Durga puja cancelled


After a fascinating start, the Durga Puja spirit soared on Tuesday which marked Maha Saptami -- day two of the Puja -- as thousands of revellers, donned in their best, hit the streets across West Bengal.


Bengal celebrates Maha Saptami of Durga puja


Declaring that the Kerala government will protect the rights of all Sabarimala devotees, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday accused the BJP and Congress of trying to destroy the state's secular fabric by politicising the issue.


Kerala CM vows to protect devotees' rights, blasts Congress, BJP


Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal, arrested on September 21 on charges of raping a nun, walked out of the Pala sub-jail near Kottayam on Tuesday, a day after he was given bail by the Kerala High Court.


Bishop Franco walks out of jail, to fly to Jalandhar


The Tripura government will operate a helicopter service for Durga Puja revellers to enable them to get an aerial view of tourist spots and celebrations here, a transport official said on Tuesday.


Helicopter service for Durga Puja revellers in Tripura


Allahabad will now on be officially known as Prayagraj.


Allahabad now officially renamed Prayagraj


For Kerala-born filmmaker-artist K.M. Madhusudhanan, the interplay between personal and political, local and global, and light and shade form the fulcrum of his ongoing exhibition "Granite Lamp and Mirror" here, the title of which derives from the 19th century social reformer Narayana Gurus philosophical texts.


Exhibition explores political 'darkness' through Narayana Guru's philosophy


Emphatically emphasising that the Kerala government will protect the rights of all devotees, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that all those who go to pray at the Sabarimala temple will be protected.


Devotees' rights will be protected at Sabarimala: CM


After a fascinating start, the Durga Puja spirit soared on Tuesday which marked Maha Saptami -- day two of the Puja -- as thousands of revellers, adorned up in their best, hit the streets of here and across West Bengal.


Bengal celebrates Maha Saptami


Durga Puja rituals began in West Bengal on Monday as enthusiastic devotees plunged into merriment marking the first day of the biggest festival in this part of the world.


Durga Puja begins in Bengal


Karnataka's City of Palaces has been decked up for the grand finale of the 10-day Dussehra fest on Friday, with lakhs expected to witness the victory parade, a district official said on Monday.

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