Page 110 - Religion Belief
Sabarimala verdict: SC refuses urgent hearing on review petition
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused urgent hearing on a review petition filed against the verdict of allowing entry of women of all ages in Kerala's Sabarimala temple.A bench, headed by Chief Justice Gogoi, said that the petitions will be listed in the usual course, after advocate Mathew J Nedumpara, appearing for Lord Ayappa devotees association sought urgent hearing of the case.Lord Ayappa Devotees Association sought urgent hearing of the review petitions saying the temple would be opened on October 16.They asked the court to hear the review pleas before the Supreme Court goes in for holidays from October 12.Advocate Nedumpara said that for the implementation of the order of the top court, Kerala is making all arrangements to allow women of all age groups to enter the temple.The Ayyappa devotees, in their plea, said that apex court's judgement was against the "fundamental right of belief and faith".The Supreme Court's judgement in the Sabarimala case has sent shock waves among ...
India lauds Tajikistan's fight against radicalisation
President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday lauded the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan for its fight against the global scourge of terrorism and radicalisation and said that the world should recognise it.
3-day 'yajna' to restore religious, cultural identity of Tripura
The famous Tripura Sundari Temple is slated to witness a grand 'yajna' this Diwali to restore the religious and cultural identity of the state, an official said here on Monday. Preparations are being carried out under the supervision of Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb to make the three-day long 'yajna' a success, the official said. The 'yajna' will be held from November 7. Headed by the chief minister, a Tripura Sundari Trust was formed in April, a month after the BJP-IPFT government came to power in the state that had been ruled by the CPI(M)-led Left Front for 25 years. "This big event will restore the religious and cultural identity of Tripura," the chief minister's media advisor Sanjay Mishra told PTI. The district magistrate of Gomati is the secretary of Tripura Sundari Trust. "All the four Shankaracharyas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues, BJP president Amit Shah and many other dignitaries and monks would be invited to the ritual," Mishra said. The government
Pak cleric arrested, booked under blasphemy for claiming to be '11th Imam of Islam'
Police in Pakistan's Punjab province on Monday arrested a cleric, who claimed himself to be the 11th Imam of Islam, and booked him under blasphemy laws. Police booked Farhan Ahmed, who is in his late 40s, on the charges of blasphemy after a video in which he claimed himself to be the 11th Imam of Islam went viral on social media. Ahmed is a resident of Sahiwal, some 200-km from Lahore, the provincial capital. According to police, an FIR has been registered against Ahmed under section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code and section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order. Police said Ahmed told his followers that Sufi saints had already foretold about his "appearance". "The prime minister and the army chief should swear their allegiance to me," said Ahmed, who was flanked by his disciples in the video. He also claimed that he was the guardian of the appearance of Imam Mahdi. He invited the youth of Pakistan to join him, urging them to take oath of allegiance to him. Police are also ...
Petitions filed in SC seeking review of Sabarimala verdict
Two petitions were filed in the Supreme Court Monday seeking review of its judgement which lifted the ban on entry of women in age group 10 to 50 years into the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, contending it was "absolutely untenable and irrational". The separate pleas were filed by National Ayyappa Devotees Association and the Nair Service Society (NSS) in connection with the September 28 judgment which had allowed entry of women of all ages in the hill-top shrine. A five-judge constitution bench headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, had in its 4:1 verdict, said banning the entry of women into the shrine is gender discrimination and that the practice violates rights of Hindu women. The review petition filed by Shylaja Vijayan, president of the Devotees Association, said Lord Ayyappa, wanted to keep "himself not being distracted by the presence of ladies of fertile ages" and this is faith. "Faith cannot be judged by scientific or rationale reasons or logic," the plea said. "The notion
Mahalaya celebrations held in Bengal
Devotional songs, prayers and recitation of Hindu scriptures marked the celebration of Mahalaya, the beginning of Devi Paksha, in West Bengal on Monday.
Pope meets top US cardinal in shadow of abuse scandal
Pope Francis met the president of the US bishops' conference Monday as his supporters closed ranks over the pontiff's handling of allegations of sexual misconduct by a US cardinal. Francis held talks with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and other senior members of the bishops' conference just 48 hours after ordering an investigation into Vatican archives concerning former archbishop of Washington Theodore McCarrick, who resigned in July. DiNardo on Sunday "welcomed" the "additional steps Pope Francis is taking to ensure the faithful are protected from the evil of sexual assault". The case of McCarrick triggered a storm in August after Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, a former Vatican envoy to Washington, accused the pope of ignoring allegations the prominent Catholic leader had abused a teenager decades ago. Francis was accused of lifting sanctions against McCarrick that his predecessor Benedict XVI had imposed -- charges refuted Sunday by the Vatican's prefect for the Congregation for ...
With Mahalaya, countdown begins for Durga Pooja
Mahalaya marks the beginning of the most awaited festival for Bengalis - the Durga Pooja. For Bengalis across the globe, the day normally starts at 4 am with the chanting of Mahisasura Mardini by Birendra Krishna Bhadra. This year Mahalaya was observed today.For Bengalis, nothing can beat the emotive appeal of Bhadra's soulful rendition of Mahisasura Mardini. Generations after generations those observing Mahalaya have woken up to Bhadra, never ever even attempting to modify the ritual. The day holds varied values.The occasion signifies the end of Pitru Paksha, and the beginning of Devi Paksha, which marks the advent of Goddess Durga in her battle against the evil. It is from this day that the Durga Pooja fever begins. Durga Pooja starts from the seventh day after Mahalaya, and ends on tenth day of Dashami or Dussehra.The occasion is associated with different practices and rituals. Many people perform 'tarpan' on this day to offer prayers to the departed souls of their ancestors and ...
Review petition filed in SC on Sabarimala verdict
On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court removed all restrictions imposed on Sabarimala temple with regard to the entry of women in menstruating ages.While the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which administers the shrine, had said they would move the court with a review petition, TDB President A Padmakumar later said they would not challenge the apex court's decision.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, too, informed that the state government would not file a review petition against the verdict. He also said his government will do everything required to implement it.The Sabarimala Temple located in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district is dedicated to the Hindu deity Ayyappa. The temple management considers the deity to be eternal celibate which made it impossible for women to enter the temple for decades.
Bengal celebrates all festivals with equal enthusiasm: CM
Calling upon people to maintain religious harmony, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Monday the state celebrates festivals of all communities with equal enthusiasm. The CM, after inaugurating the centenary celebrations of 'Baghbazar Sarbojonin Durgotsav' (community puja in north Kolkata), said "the spirit of togetherness and amity" was the strength of people in Bengal. "We love and respect all religions. Some of us are Hindus, some Christians, some Muslims and Sikhs. We may follow our own religious scriptures but we have respect for other scriptures too. We participate in festivals of all communities with enthusiasm. This togetherness is our strength," she said. Talking about Baghbazar puja, the CM said she was happy to see that the organizers have stuck to their tradition of worshipping 'ekchala sabeki' Durga idol (the goddess and her four children mounted on a single frame). Earlier in the day, Banerjee had wished people on Twitter on the occasion of ...
Ram temple construction: Saint on indefinite fast detained
The saint who is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the construction of Ram Temple here, was detained by the police on Sunday late night.Swami Paramhans Das, Mahant of Ayodhya's Tapaswi Chhawni has been fasting for the last seven days.The police have reportedly taken him to a hospital.The incident occurred hours after Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Satish Mahana met the Mahant.After the meeting the saint, minister Mahana said, "I humbly requested Mahant Paramhans to break his fast. I have come here as an emissary of the chief minister. If he wishes to meet the chief minister I will discuss it with him and will try to facilitate it tomorrow if required."Sharing details of this meeting with the UP minister, Mahant Paramhans told ANI, "Minister Satish Mahana requested me to break the hunger strike. He told me that he will arrange a video-conferencing with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. I want to request Prime Minister Modi to facilitate construction of Ram Temple through the ...
Sabarimala temple priests reject meeting with Kerala CM
The representatives of Pandalam Palace and Sabarimala temple priests refused to attend the meeting called by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday to discuss the Supreme Court's verdict allowing women's entry in the Lord Ayyappa temple. The Palace trust will also file a review petition in the matter.Meanwhile, devotees of Lord Ayyappa continued their protest in Chennai, demanding the retaining of the age-old tradition of the hill shrine. The devotees organised a rally from Kodambakkam High Road to Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappa Temple demanding the government to file a review petition against the apex court's verdict.A rally 'Ayyappa Nama Japa Yatra' was also organised at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in by Lord Ayyappa devotees against the top court ruling.On September 28, the five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court removed all restrictions imposed on Sabarimala temple with regard to the entry of women between the age group of 10 to 50.The Kerala Chief Minister on October .
Vatican defends pope against 'blasphemous' cover-up claims
A top Vatican cardinal issued a scathing rebuke Sunday of the ambassador who accused Pope Francis of covering up the sexual misconduct of a prominent American cardinal, saying his claims were a "blasphemous" political hit job. Six weeks after Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano threw the papacy into turmoil over his claims about ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the head of the Vatican's bishops office said there was no evidence in his files backing Vigano's claims that Francis annulled any sanctions against McCarrick. Cardinal Marc Ouellet's letter was issued Sunday, a day after Francis authorized a "thorough study" of all Vatican archives into how McCarrick rose through the ranks of the Catholic Church despite allegations he sexually preyed on seminarians and young priests. The letter, addressed to Vigano but identified as an open letter to the faithful, marked an extraordinary end to the official Vatican silence about Vigano's claims. In it, Ouellet both defended the pope and excoriated ...
Scores of people take out protest march, seek stern action against culprits in sacrilege incidents
A protest march was taken out from Kotkapura to Bargari demanding action against those involved in sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib in 2015 and also against police personnel who allegedly opened fire at agitators protesting against these incidents. The rebel group of the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, led by Sukhpal Singh Khaira, and Lok Insaaf Party chief Simarjeet Singh Bains also joined the protest march which commenced in the morning. Some Sikh radical organisations also participated in the protest march. Khaira addressed the gathering and sought action against those who were involved in sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib at Faridkot in 2015. "If justice cannot be given in sacrilege incident cases, then how can people expect justice in any other criminal case," he said. Khaira asked the state government to book former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son and former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, besides the then DGP Sumedh Singh Saini for police firing ...
BAI names 24-member squad for BWF World junior badminton championship
Lakshya Sen and Jakka Vaishnavi Reddy will lead the boys and girls team respectively at the Li Ning BWF World Junior Badminton Championships 2018, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced on Saturday.
Lakshya Sen to spearhead India's challenge at World Junior Badminton Championships
Reigning Asian junior champion Lakshya Sen will spearhead India's campaign at the BWF World Junior Badminton Championships, to be held in Markham, Canada from November 5-18. A 24-member squad including 13 boys and 11 girls will represent India in the tournament with junior world No. 5 Jakka Vaishnavi Reddy leading the girls' squad. The BAI has organised a mandatory preparatory camp for the players selected for the World Juniors in Panchkula from October 16-31. The team members were selected on the basis of ranking points they obtained in the back-to-back All India Ranking Selection Tournaments -- Yonex Sunrise Badminton Tournament at Chandigarh and the Yonex Sunrise Krishna Khaitan Memorial Tournament at Panchkula -- in September. The selection committee considered the cumulative points from both the ranking tournaments for picking the players with Kiran George leading the pack with 700 points among boys. In fact, the Kerala boy and Alap Mishra from MP were tied at 700 points each ...
Allahabad: Locals hold procession to honour Ravana
For lakhs of people, the festival of Dussehra marks the victory of good over evil, of Lord Rama over Ravana, but there are few places in the country that have a different postulation about this belief.One such place is Prayag, located in Allahabad, where natives, prior to the commencement of Dussehra, hold a procession in honour of Ravana, who they believe was an ardent follower of Lord Shiva and a great philosopher.Speaking to ANI, Sanjay, a devotee of Ravana, said: "Each year we hold this procession just a few days before the starting of Dussehra festival. We believe that Ravana was a great philosopher, which is why we praise him. Apart from this, here Lord Rama, in the theatrical enactment on Dussehra, does not even burn the effigy of Ravana."Elaborating about the procession, another devotee, Mohita Gupta, said: "This ritual is followed by the people here for the past couple of decades. People residing in far-off villages and towns specially visit this place during this season to ..
US senators denounce human rights abuses in China
A bipartisan group of 18 powerful American lawmakers has condemned China's alleged persecution of religious minorities and actions to limit free expression and practice of faith. "The persecution of religious minorities at the hands of some Chinese government officials is wrong and must stop," Senator Chuck Grassley said Friday. "People, no matter where they live, should be able to freely express their religious beliefs. As we work with China on issues of trade and intellectual property, we need to also make fighting for religious liberty a central part of the United States' relationship with China," he said. Senator David Perdue alleged that the Chinese Communist Party continues to engage in a violent crackdown on religion, employing tactics reminiscent of Mao's Cultural Revolution. "From burning Bibles and demolishing Christian churches to the mass internment of hundreds of thousands of Uighur Muslims, the Chinese government is inflicting terror on its own people. The United States .
VHP demands ordinance for construction of Ram Mandir
A delegation of saints associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Friday called on President Kovind to press for their demands of immediate construction of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.Briefing about the meeting with the President, Saint Parmanand Maharaj, a part of the delegation said, "The complete saint fraternity believes that Ram Mandir should be made immediately by passing an ordinance. We met the President of India today and requested him to do the needful in this regard. At this time there is 'Rambhakt' nationalist government at most places in the country which can work in this direction."The meeting with President of India took place after day-long deliberations in a meeting organised by the VHP. The 'High Power Committee' meeting was chaired by Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, convener of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas Samiti.As many as 50 saints from all over the country participated in the meeting and unanimously supported the motion seeking earliest construction of the Ram ...
500 women police personnel to be deputed at Sabarimala
With the Supreme Court allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple, and the Kerala government and the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) not filing a review petition, the Kerala Police is gearing up to tighten security at the famed temple which will open for its monthly pujas later this month, said a top police officer on Friday.