Page 118 - Religion Belief
Bishop Mulakkal arrested: Catholic body expresses confidence in judiciary
In the wake of Bishop Franco Mulakkal's arrest, the Catholic Bishop's Conference of India (CBCI) on Friday expressed its confidence in the Indian judicial system.A statement from the CBCI read, "We have learnt from the media about the developments in Bishop Franco Mulakkal's case. It is a sad moment for all of us. We pray for all involved: Bishop Franco, the nun concerned, the diocese of Jalandhar and the Congregation of the Missionaries of Jesus.""We have full confidence in the judicial system of our country. As said before we expect the law to take its course and for the truth to emerge. At this moment, our prayer is for the healing," the statement added.The statement comes hours after the police arrested Bishop Franco Mulakkal following three days of questioning in connection with the rape of a Kerala nun.According to Kottayam Superintendent of Police (SP) Hari Sankar, Mulakkal will be produced before a magistrate court tomorrow morning and the subsequent investigation will ...
Bishop arrested in Kerala nun rape case amid growing public
Bishop Franco Mulakkal, a senior member of the Roman Catholic clergy in India, was arrested Friday night amid mounting public outrage over allegations of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a nun, police said. He was arrested by Kerala police after intense interrogation over the last three days. The development came a day after the Vatican relieved him "temporarily" of all pastoral responsibilities as the bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation to which the alleged victim also belongs. The nun had accused the 54-year old clergyman of repeatedly raping and having unnatural sex with her between 2014 and 2016. Inspector General of Police (Kochi Range) Vijay Sakhare told PTI that the arrest was recorded at 8 pm and the bishop would be produced in a magistrate court in Pala in Kottayam district Saturday. Mulakkal, who had been coming for the interrogation in the bishop attire, was taken to Tripunithura government taluk hospital in civil
Muharram observed in West Bengal
Beating drums and thumping their chests, thousands of Muslims across West Bengal took out large processions on Friday to mourn the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussain at Karbala 1338 years back on the 10th day of the first Islamic month of Muharram.
Bigotry being whipped up in India a political exercise, not actual spirit of Indians: Tharoor
Congress leader and author Shashi Tharoor said the "bigotry" that is being whipped up in recent years in India is essentially a "political exercise" and does not reflect the actual spirit of most of the people in the country. He said Indians essentially have lived together for far too long to allow "periodic spasms" of bigotry or unpleasantness to derail it. "What we are going through now is just an awful temporary phase," Tharoor said Thursday during a conversation titled 'India Sutra' held at the Jaipur Literature Festival, organised as part of Season of India at Asia Society. "the kind of bigotry that we have seen whipped up in recent years is an essentially a political exercise and not to my mind in any way reflective of the actual spirit of most of the Indian people," he said. On Hinduism, Tharoor, the author of 'Why I am a Hindu', said, "The wonderful fact is that in an era of uncertainty, of incertitude, you have uniquely a religion that privileges incertitude." He noted that .
Banerjee stresses on respect for human rights on Int'l Day of
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on International Day of Peace on Friday stressed on the need to respect for human rights and people's right to live in peace and dignity. "Today is the International Day of Peace. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Respect for human rights, and consequently, the right to live in peace and dignity must always be respected," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle. The International Day of Peace is observed annually on this day as the United Nations General Assembly has declared it as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. Banerjee is away on a 12-day trip to Germany, Italy from September 16.
Lord Balaji temple 'Adhika Masa Brahmotsavam' concludes
The nine-day 'Adhika Masa Brahmotsavam' at the famous Lord Venkateswara temple at nearby Tirumala concluded with the celestial bath of processional idols of deities in the holy tank of the hill shrine Friday. As part of the winding up of the festivities, held once in three years, the priests, amid chanting Vedic hymns, conducted the bath of the processional idols of Lord Venkateswara and his divine consorts. Later, the priests organised the holy bath of the centuries-old idol of Sri Chakrathalwar in the tank. Several thousand devotees, gathered on the sides of the tank since the early hours, had a holy dip in the tank, a temple official told PTI. Taking the holy dip is believed to be most propitious on the occasion of 'Chakrasnanam', he said.
Pakistan urges Beijing to ease restrictions on Chinese Uighur Muslims: report
In a rare move, Pakistan has urged China to ease restrictions on Uighur Muslims amid reports of up to a million of the minority community members being detained in the country's far-west Xinjiang region, according to a media report Friday. The issue of the restrictions on the Uighurs figured in a meeting, held here this week, between Pakistan's Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noorul Haq Qadri and Chinese Ambassador Yao Xing, Dawn newspaper reported. Breaking the past tradition of keeping silent on the issues related to Chinese Muslims, Qadri spoke about those Muslims facing numerous restrictions in China's Xinjiang province and demanded easing the restrictions , the report said. Around one million minority Uighurs Muslims have reportedly been sent into detention and indoctrination centres in Xinjing region during a surveillance and security campaign run by the Chinese government. Qadri told the Chinese envoy that "the placement of restrictions increases ..
Kerala nun rape: Culprit will not be spared, says minister
The Kerala government on Friday assured that justice will be done and the culprit will not be spared in the alleged nun rape case.Speaking to media, Kerala's Minister for Industries and Sports EP Jayarajan said, "Probe is on the correct path. This government won't save any culprit but ensure complete safety to women. We are with the victim. The investigation is being conducted sincerely. No culprit will be allowed to escape."Earlier today, the Kerala Police said that they will take a call on the arrest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who allegedly raped the nun, after his interrogation.Speaking to ANI, Kottayam Superintendent of Police (SP), Harisankar said, "After interrogation, we will decide whether to go forward with his arrest or not. I can't say if the arrest will be made today."Mulakkal appeared before a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kochi Police for the third day on Friday. He reached the Crime Branch (CID) office in Thrippunithura this morning and was quizzed by a ...
Hinduism is ideal religion for modern age of incertitude: Tharoor
Hinduism is a "wonderful" religion suited for the modern era of uncertainty and questioning because it values incertitude, according to Congress MP and author Shashi Tharoor, who also excoriated the politicisation of the faith.
Will take call on bishop's arrest after interrogation: Kerala police
The Kerala Police on Friday said that they will take call on the arrest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who allegedly raped a nun, after his interrogation.Speaking to ANI, Kottayam Superintendent of Police (SP), Harisankar said, "After interrogation, we will decide whether to go forward with his arrest or not. I can't say if the arrest will be made today."Mulakkal appeared before a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kochi Police for the third day on Friday. He reached the Crime Branch (CID) office in Thrippunithura this morning and is being quizzed by a five-member team headed by Vaikom Deputy Superintendent of Police, K Subhash, over the nun's allegations.The senior Catholic priest, who was incharge of the Jalandhar diocese, was temporarily relieved of his pastoral duties by Pope Francis, yesterday. The move came days after he wrote to the Pope, expressing his desire to 'temporarily step aside' from the responsibilities of the diocese, allowing him time to fight his case.The nun had
Nun rape: Bishop questioning enters Day 3
The Kerala Police began questioning Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun, for the third consecutive day on Friday, even as demands for his arrest grew.
Nun rape case: Questioning of priest continues for 3rd day
Priest Franco Mulakkal, who has been grilled by the Kerala Police over allegations of rape and unnatural sex levelled by a nun, Friday reached the Crime Branch office in Thrippunithura for questioning for the third day. The Vatican had Thursday divested Mulakkal, who was the bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of Missionaries of Jesus despite shedding his administrative role, of his pastoral responsibilities "temporarily". Kottayam Superintendent of Police Hari Sankar has said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has decided to complete the interrogation Friday. The former bishop, who was grilled for more than eight hours Thursday, was directed to be present before the investigation team by 10.30 am Friday. He, however, reached at 10.40 am from a five-star hotel in Kochi for the interrogation amid tight police security. Police have sought a legal opinion as to whether Mulakkal, whose anticipatory bail plea is pending before the high court, can be arrested. After the ...
Ram temple should be constructed without delay: Bhagwat
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Thursday that the Ram temple at Ayodhya should be built without delay and all sections of society should accept the "reality" of the issue.
Shah hopes Ram temple agitation will result in victory for culture'
BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday expressed the hope that the movement for building Ram temple in Ayodhya will result in "victory for culture", saying people's sentiments always win in democracy. His remarks at a book release event came as Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat reiterated his call for constructing the temple at the earliest, saying "justice" needed to be given to society quickly. Shah described the Ram Janambhoomi movement as the biggest agitation in India since independence, touching all sections of the society. He said he would not speak much on the issue due to the timing- an apparent reference to the ongoing Supreme Court hearings on the matter. People's agitation had been going since the temple was demolished in Ayodhya over six centuries ago, and it will continue till the victory for culture is achieved, he said. "People's sentiments always win in democracy, and I have faith that this agitation will go in a similar direction," he said. Making a .
MP man booked for selling black balloons to protesters: Cong
The Madhya Pradesh Congress Thursday alleged that a shopkeeper in the state's Satna district was booked for selling black balloons to protesters near the venue of a BJP convention. Certain groups had Tuesday protested here against the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill 2018, passed by Parliament in August, which restored some stringent provisions of the Act. The balloons were released in protest against MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan who had visited the OBC convention here Tuesday. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Leader of Opposition in the MP Assembly, Ajay Singh said, "Satna police arrested a shopkeeper, Hiru Sewani, for selling black balloons to protesters. Police have registered a case under eight sections of the IPC." Meanwhile, in charge of Kulgawa police station here denied the allegations. Police official RP Singh claimed Sewani was booked for taking part in protests rather than for selling black balloons. He
Nun rape: Bishop questioned for 7 hours on Day 2
Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun, was questioned for the second consecutive day on Thursday and has been asked to return on Friday, a police official said.
Kerala Nun Rape: Vicar being coerced claims protesting nun
Reacting sharply on the recent comments made by Vicar of the Sisters of Parish, sister Anupama on Thursday claimed that the priest is being coerced and people helping the accused priest might be misguiding him. Sister Anupama is one of the nuns heading a protest in Kochi demanding the arrest of the accused.On Tuesday, Vicar of the Sisters of Parish Father Manipara said that if the nun's claim of multiple sexual abuses were true, it was consensual and not rape.Rejecting his statement, Sister Anupama told ANI, "Even if it's one time or 13 times, it is rape. We are fighting for that. Our fight is for the world, for all the women who are the victims of rape."She further claimed that Fr. Manipara was also a witness of the things and added, "Vicar of the Sisters of Parish was also a witness of the things we said to him. But people helping the Bishop told him things and made him change mind. We feel he is being pressurized."Sister Anupama also called for an immediate arrest of the accused ...
Indonesian city orders top staff to 'pray or get a new job'
An Indonesian city has ordered its top civil servants to visit their local mosque for dawn prayers or risk being sacked, underscoring the growing influence of religion across the world's biggest Muslim majority country. Senior bureaucrats in Palembang, co-host of last month's Asian Games, are now required to visit their local mosque at the crack of dawn -- and they've been warned that a smartphone app was in the works to sniff out the less-than-devout. The order, which may be a first for Indonesia, is aimed at helping bureaucrats better relate to residents' concerns while the early wake-up call could also boost productivity, city spokesman Amiruddin Sandy told AFP. "By praying together at dawn with regular people, we get a chance to hear from them directly," he said, adding that common complaints ranged from water not running to broken street lights. The edict comes as Indonesian society's lurch toward religious conservatism has challenged its long-held reputation for having a ...
Bishop Mulakkal relieved of pastoral duties, protesting nuns
Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who was questioned by Kerala police for the second day over rape charges by a nun, has been temporarily relieved of his pastoral responsibilities by Pope Francis, the Catholic Bishop Conference of India (CBCI) said Thursday. The decision was welcomed by the group of nuns staging a protest here for the past 13 days seeking justice for their fellow nun. They said it was their "first victory" in the struggle against the Bishop. The Pope appointed Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Bombay Agnelo Rufino Gracias as the Apostolic administrator of the diocese of Jalandhar with immediate effect, a CBCI statement said. The announcement came even as the senior Catholic priest is being questioned by the Special Investigation Team for the second day here Thursday. The Pope took the decision in response to Mulakkal's September 16 letter offering to "step aside temporarily" as the Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese, Kerala Catholic Bishops Council Spokesman Fr .
Journalist Abhijit Iyer arrested for 'derogatory remarks' on Konark temple, gets bail
Odisha-based journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra, arrested Thursday by the state police here for allegedly making derogatory remarks on the Sun Temple, Konark, was granted bail by a Delhi court which directed him to join the probe. The court granted relief to Mitra on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and one surety of the like amount on a plea moved by him, while directing him to join the investigation in the state by September 28. Earlier today, Odisha Assembly adopted a privilege motion against Mitra for his alleged derogatory remarks. Mitra, who is made accused in the case along with former BJD-leader Baijayant Panda, was arrested near Hazrat Nizamuddin in the national capital and was produced before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Manish Khurana, with Odisha police seeking his transit remand for three days to take him to his native state. Odisha police told the court that Mitra "gave unpalatable and irresponsible remarks on Konark Sun Temple by uploading view on social media with an intention