Page 101 - Religion Belief

Time for India to go back to original lifestyle:Vice President

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday said that time has come for India to go back to its "original lifestyle" of spirituality, traditional food and love for nature. Addressing the inaugural function of the Forum for Integrated National Security's Conference Sagar Discourse 2.0" near here, the vice president also advocated "home grown food security" and spiritual way of life. "India should think upon the home grown food security. You cannot depend on imported food security. The other small nations can depend on imported food security but we can't. We have a huge population," said Naidu. He said the time has come to go back to "original lifestyle". "Peace and spirituality is need of the hour. I am not advocating any religion because religion is a way of worship and spirituality the way forward," the vice president said. He said one must pursue spirituality in view of all kinds of tensions. "We must pursue spirituality. We must also train our younger generation about the ..

Bhagwat offers prayers at Pune temple for 'speedy' construction of Ram temple

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Tuesday offered special prayers at a famous Lord Ganesha temple here for the "speedy" construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, a priest claimed. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief performed 'abhishek' (special prayers) at the Shreemant Dagadusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple located in the heart of the city under the guidance of priest Milind Rahurkar. Later talking to the media, the RSS chief said: "Today was the right time to come and take the blessings (of Lord Ganesh). Since I was here, it was advised to do the abhishek so the same was offered." However, he did not reveal the reason behind offering the special prayers. A video of Rahurkar chanting mantras in Sanskrit and Bhagwat repeating the same later went viral on social media. In the short clip, the RSS chief is heard uttering the words 'Ram mandir' and 'Ramrajya' (an ideal state). Rahurkar told reporters that the Bhagwat sought blessings for the good health of the country's citizens and also prayed ...

Shah donates Rs 1,000 to BJP as part of initiative for transparency

BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday called upon his party's workers and well-wishers to donate any amount between Rs 5 and Rs 1,000 to the organisation through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's app as part of an initiative to usher in transparency in public life. He also donated Rs 1,000 and posted the receipt on Twitter. "Keeping in line with our values of ushering in transparency in public life, the BJP has started an initiative of seeking micro donations from our karyakartas and well wishers through the NaMo app. You can donate any amount between Rs 5 and Rs 1,000," he tweeted. "As a BJP karyakarta myself, I have donated an amount of Rs 1,000 to the party through NM app. I appeal to all our karyakartas and well wishers to join the initiative for bringing in transparency in public life and donate using either NM app or at donations.narendramodi.in," Shah added. Union minister Sushma Swaraj had yesterday donated an amount of Rs 1000. She said probity is essential in public life. Shah said ..

Kerala nun rape case: In-camera post-mortem of key witness conducted

A four-member board on Tuesday conducted an in-camera post-mortem of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, a key witness in the Kerala nun rape case who testified against accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, at Dasuya Civil Hospital, officials said. Kattuthara, 62, was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Monday in his room in the catholic church premises in Dasuya, 40 km from here. The autopsy was videographed, Senior Medical Officer of Dasuya Civil Hospital Devinder Puri said. The viscera will be sent to the government laboratory to find out the cause of death, he said. A four-member board of directors was constituted to conduct the post-mortem, he added. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dasuya) A R Sharma said the body was handed over to Kattuhara's family after the post-mortem. The deceased's brothers Jose Kurian and Johnny Thomas and brother-in-law Jojo Thomas reached Dasuya from Kerala on Tuesday. According to officials, they proceeded to Jalandhar for prayers. Thereafter, they will ..

Issue of married Catholic priests gains traction under pope

As the Vatican copes with the growing clergy sex abuse scandal and declining number of priests worldwide, it is laying the groundwork to open formal debate on an issue that has long been taboo: opening up the priesthood to married men in parts of the world where clergy are scarce. Pope Francis has convened a meeting of South American bishops next year focusing on the plight of the church in the Amazon, a vast territory served by far too few priests. During that synod, the question of ordaining married men of proven virtue so-called "viri probati" is expected to figure on the agenda. This week, a two-hour documentary on Italian television is likely to contribute to the conversation. "The Choice: Priests and Love" profiles more than a dozen men in four European countries who are either living clandestinely with women, have created their own unsanctioned church communities where married priests preside at Mass, or left the Catholic priesthood altogether to marry. The documentary, to be

SC to hear on Nov 13 petitions against Sabarimala verdict; Vijayan slams BJP and RSS for protests

The Supreme Court Tuesday said it would hear on November 13 multiple petitions challenging the Sabarimala verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into the shrine that remained unimplemented following week-long protests. A day after the doors to Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala in Kerala closed, six days after opening for the first time since the Supreme Court lifted the ban on entry of women of menstruating age, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the BJP and the RSS of "hidden conspiracy" to destroy peace at the temple. At least 12 women in the 10-50 age group had made a failed attempt to trek the hills and had to return following protests from believers. Even women over the age of 50 were stopped at Sabarimala. An apex court bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul told lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara that it has already passed an order with regard to listing of petitions on November 13. "Sabarimala cases will be taken up on November 13 at 3 .

Would you take blood-soaked pads to friend's home?: Smriti Irani on Sabarimala row

Amidst a fierce debate over the quashing of restrictions on the entry of women into Kerala's Sabarimala Temple by the Supreme Court, Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani opined that every individual has the right to pray but not to desecrate."I have the right to pray, but don't have the right to desecrate. I am nobody to speak on Supreme Court verdict because I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense. Would you take sanitary napkins seeped in menstrual blood into a friend's home? You would not. And would you think that it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of God? So that is the difference. That is my personal opinion," Irani said at the Young Thinkers' Conference organised by the British Deputy High Commission and the Observer Research Foundation on Tuesday.Sabarimala Temple witnessed a series of protests by devotees and priests as few women between the ages of 10 and 50 attempted to enter the holy shrine following the top court's ruling ...

RSS tried to make Sabarimala Temple a war zone: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of creating ruckus at the Sabarimala Temple and making it a "war zone" in the past few weeks.The Sabarimala temple closed on Monday night after facing six days of tense standoff between protesters and police.Despite SC allowing women's entry, the lord Ayyappa's temple closed with the ban still in place."I don't think there was a law and order failure at Sabarimala Temple," Vijayan said while addressing the media here."Kerala government made it clear in front of the Supreme Court that it will implement the verdict. The government arranged all facilities. Neither government nor the police tried to block the devotees. RSS workers tried to make Sabarimala Temple a war zone," he added.Taking cognizance of the attacks on various media persons, Vijayan said, "Protesters tried to check vehicles, attacked women devotees and media persons. It was the first time in the history of Kerala that this type of ...

Kerala CM hits out at BJP, RSS for violent agitation in Sabarimala

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Tuesday attacked the BJP and RSS for the violent agitation at the Lord Ayyappa temple complex in Sabarimala over the entry of women of all ages into the hill shrine. The agitation was a "planned and deliberate attempt" to create an atmosphere of tension in the state, Vijayan told reporters here. The incidents of preventing women in the 10-50 age group from offering worship at the temple and attacking media personnel, who had come to cover the historic event, was part of a conspiracy led by the RSS, he alleged. The government has the constitutional responsibility of implementing the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all ages to offer prayers at the Sabarimala temple and no attempt to convert the complex into a "war zone" would be allowed, he said. The temple in Sabarimala had witnessed high drama and tense moments for six days when it was opened for monthly prayers from October 17 to 22. While maintaining that the faith of believers would .

5 Dead Sea Scrolls in Washington museum fake

The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., has said that five of its most valuable artefacts, once thought to be part of the historic Dead Sea Scrolls, were fake and would not be displayed anymore.

I have no faith in Punjab Police: Father Kuriakose Kattuthara's brother

Josh Kurian, brother of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who was found dead on Monday, said he has no faith in Punjab Police.Speaking to media, the brother said, "I have no faith in Punjab Police. I want to bring the body to Alappuzha and bury it. If they want to do postmortem without letting us know, is there any guarantee that it will be done without foul play?"Father Kuriakose Kattuthara was found dead in Punjab's Jalandhar on Monday. He was the witness in the alleged Kerala nun rape case. The exact cause of death is yet to be ascertained.Earlier in the day, the brother of Kerala nun, who had accused former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal of rape, alleged that the sudden demise of Father Kattuthara is a "pre-planned murder".Speaking to ANI, the nun's brother demanded a thorough investigation into the death of Father Kattuthara.Bishop Mulakkal was released from Kottayam jail on October 16, a day after being granted conditional bail.Bishop Mulakkal is facing allegations of repeatedly ...

BJP, RSS have betrayed Hindus in Lord Rama's name: Togadia

Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad chief Pravin Togadia Monday accused the BJP and the RSS of betraying Hindus, saying that instead of building a Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya, they were now preparing to build a mosque here. The former international working president of the Vishva Hindu Parishad claimed the BJP and the RSS were now busy appeasing Muslims, whom, he said, the RSS brought to Ayodhya to perform 'wazu' (ablutions) with the Saryu water and offer namaaz on its bank. Togadia made the allegations while addressing over 2,000 of his followers on the bank of Saryu after holding an oath-taking ceremony with them to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya. Accusing the BJP-led Modi government in the Centre of suppressing the Hindus' voice, Togadia urged his followers to launch a movement to elect a Hindus' government in the upcoming 2019 next general elections. "In fifteen Hindu 'dharam sansads' since 1984, unanimous resolutions have been passed that the BJP would get a law enacted to build a Lord .

SC rejects PIL seeking to stop misuse of religion in elections

The Supreme Court Monday refused to entertain a PIL seeking to stop misuse of religion for electoral gains and debarring candidates as also de-registering political parties for taking undue benefits in the name of religion. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi dismissed the PIL filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay seeking issuance of direction to the poll panel and the Centre to take appropriate steps to restrict misuse of religion by the candidates and political parties. "We are not inclined. Dismissed," the bench, which also comprised Justice S K Kaul, told senior lawyer Amrendra Sharan who was seeking issuance of notice on the PIL. The plea also sought conferring the Election Commission of India (ECI) with the power to refer complaints related to such corrupt electoral practices to investigation agencies, much in line with the recommendation of the Goswami Committee on Electoral Reform. In its 1990 report, the Committee had suggested some parallel recommendations

Jainism stresses on non-violence for human welfare: President

Jainism emphasises the importance of non-violence for human welfare and compassion, President Ram Nath Kovind said Monday. The President was speaking after inaugurating the 'Vishwashanti Ahimsa Sammelan' (world peace and non-violence conference) at Mangi Tungi in Nashik district. The event was organised by the Bhagwan Shri Rishabhdev 108-feet Vishalkai Digambar Jain Murti Nirman Committee. The President said in the Jain tradition, the principle of 'Ahimsa Paramodharma' (non-violence is the highest religious principle) is aimed at human welfare and compassion and not just shunning physical violence. He said Bhagwan Mahavir gave special importance to 'Apirigraha'-- not taking more than what is essential to survive. "Humankind is exploiting nature indiscriminately. Ruthless consumption and accumulation of resources is increasing. Due to this, phenomena like climate change is emerging as a challenge. Following the Jain tradition shows us the way out," Kovind said. Jainism teaches people ..

Key witness against Bishop Mulakkal in nun rape case found dead in Punjab

Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, a key witness in the Kerala nun rape case who testified against accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, was on Monday found dead under mysterious circumstances in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district, police said. Kattuthara, 62, was found unconscious in his room in the catholic church premises in Dasuya, 40 km from Hoshiarpur town, this morning and was taken to a local hospital where he was declared brought dead, they said. Police said the cause of the death would be known after postmortem. According to police, no visible injury marks were found on the body. "There was vomit in the room, said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) A R Sharma. "The viscera will be sent for examination which will throw light on the cause of the death," he added. Sharma said the police was investigating the case from all the angles. "The police is waiting for the family of the priest to come from Kerala. After they reach here, the postmortem of the body of the priest will be conducted," he ..

Those expressing solidarity with Ahmadis can go to India or Israel: Pak extremist cleric

Controversial Pakistani extremist cleric Khadim Rizvi lashed out at the students of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) for meeting with the members of the Ahmadiyya community, saying those who wanted to express solidarity with them can leave the country and instead live in India or Israel.Earlier this month, the students had met the Ahmadis in Rabwah, as part of a project to promote peace, tolerance and acceptance of minorities in Pakistan.Reacting to the visit, Rizvi said, "Principal of a Lahore college took students to the centre for 'Qadiyanis', saying they want to promote brotherhood with the minorities. The government is not taking cognisance of this. I don't understand which direction they want to take Pakistan to. You are taking students to those people who are blasphemous to our Prophet. What do you want to tell and show to the world?"He added, "You (the principal) better realise what your condition will be. Behave like humans! We have told you several times that .

Witness priest in Kerala nun rape case dead

Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who had given statements against Kerala nun rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district on Monday, police said.

Sabarimala row: SC to decide date of hearing review petitions tomorrow

The Supreme Court will decide on Tuesday as to when it would hear fresh petitions (writ and review) regarding entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 years in Kerala's Sabarimala Temple.At least 19 review petitions are pending before the top court in connection with the issue.Kerala Police officials had earlier told media in Sannidhanam and Pamba to vacate the area as the cops had inputs of a targeted attack being planned on journalists.The Sabarimala Temple witnessed strings of protests by devotees and priests as few female belonging to the age group tried to reach the holy shrine following the top court's ruling that females of all age group could enter the temple. The apex court verdict came on September 28.The Ayyappa temple will close this evening after it opened for five days as a monthly ritual in the Malayalam month of Thulam.

Witness in Kerala nun rape case found dead in Punjab

Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who was reportedly a witness in a case related to the rape of a nun from Kerala, was found dead Monday morning at Dasuya in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district, police said. Kattuthara was found unconscious in his room, police officials said. The priest was transferred 15 days ago to a Catholic church in Dasuya, police said. He was staying in the church premises. Bishop Franco Mulakkal is facing allegations of raping a nun.

Priest, key witness in Kerala nun rape case, found dead

Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who was a key witness in the rape case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, was found dead in Punjab's Jalandhar on Monday."Father Kattuthara used to stay in a church in Dasuya. He was 62. The Father was taken to a hospital where he was later declared dead. I have been told that there were no marks on his body and he vomited on bed. They have also found a blood pressure tablet. He was not provided security. Now we will do post-mortem," AR Sharma, DSP, Dasuya told ANI.Bishop Mulakkal, who recently came out on bail from a Kerala jail, is facing allegations of repeatedly raping a nun of his own congregation, a charge that he denies.The allegations against the senior catholic priest whipped up a storm, polarising the church hierarchy with several priests speaking against Bishop Mulakkal.