Page 129 - Religion Belief
Social evils take refuge as religious customs: Law Commission
The Law Commission in its consultation paper released on Friday addressed the difference between freedom of religion and one's right to equality.The commission stated while freedom of religion and the right to practice and propagate religion must be strongly protected in a secular democracy, we must not overlook the number of social evils that take refuge as religious customs.It said, "It is important to bear in mind that a number of social evils take refuge as religious customs, these may be evils such as sati, slavery, devadasi, dowry, triple talaq, child marriage or any other. To seek their protection under the law as religion would be a grave folly."The commission noted that religious practices that do not conform with basic tenets of human rights, are also not essential to the religion.It stated, "Even being essential to religion should not be a reason for a practice to continue if it is discriminatory."The paper further said that the right to equality cannot be treated as an ..
Nitish Kumar condoles death of Tarun Maharaj
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his profound grief on the death of Jain monk Tarun Maharaj in Delhi in the early hours Saturday. He was 51 and died in east Delhi's Radhapuri Jain Temple. In his condolence message, Kumar said that "Jain saint Tarun Sagarji had deep impact on his Jain community. He spent all his life for the betterment of the Jain community," an official release said. "His compassion, sacrifice and preachings helped in rekindling the consciousness in both Jain community and all sections of the society. The contributions of Tarun Sagarji Maharaj towards the society cannot be forgotten," Kumar said. Kumar prayed for strength and courage to the monk's disciples and followers to bear the loss.
Rahul suffers from schizophrenia: Union Minister Choubey
Union Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey on Saturday said Congress President Rahul Gandhi is suffering from schizophrenia and he should be admitted to a hospital for treatment.
UP CM mourns demise of Jain monk Tarun Sagar
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday condoled the demise of Jain monk Tarun Sagar, who passed away in the morning after prolonged illness. He was 51.
Muslim identity at risk in China
The Muslims in China, a majority of them based in Xinjiang- an autonomous territory in the northwest of the country, are losing their identity and are forced to renounce Islam.According to estimates cited by the United Nations and United States officials, one million Muslims are being held in Chinese internment camps at present, reported The Atlantic, an American magazine.The magazine claims, "Former inmates-most of whom are Uighurs, a largely Muslim ethnic minority-have told reporters that over the course of an indoctrination process lasting several months, they were forced to renounce Islam, criticize their own Islamic beliefs and those of fellow inmates, and recite Communist Party propaganda songs for hours each day. There are media reports of inmates being forced to eat pork and drink alcohol, which are forbidden to Muslims, as well as reports of torture and death."China has been selling a very different narrative to its own population. Although the authorities frequently describe
Jain monk Tarun Maharaj dies in Delhi
Jain monk Tarun Maharaj died in the early hours Saturday at east Delhi's Radhapuri Jain Temple. He was 51. "He was not keeping well and was earlier admitted to a private hospital in Vaishali. A few days ago, he had decided to come to the Radhapuri Temple in Krishna Nagar, where he died at around 3.18 am Saturday morning," said a senior official of the Bhartiya Jain Milan, a pan-India Jain organisation. He said the last rites will be carried out at the Tarun Sagar Dham in Modinagar in Uttar Pradesh. "I live in Shahdara. We got to know about his death at around 6 am and then many people rushed to have his 'antim darshan'. The temple where he died was filled with devotees. We have lost a leader of our community," the official said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh condoled the death of the Jain monk. "Deeply pained by the untimely demise of Muni Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj. We will always remember him for his rich ideals, compassion and contribution to society. His
New trilogy in mythology-fiction, 'The Kalki Chronicles'
The first book of a new mythology-fiction trilogy unveils the greatest legend of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu. "The Sage's Secret" is the debut work of Abhinav and his trilogy titled "The Kalki Chronicles" sees 20-year-old Anirudh at the centre of a plan conceived by Lord Krishna in the Dwapara Yug. Through his strange dreams and visions, as Anirudh uncovers the secrets of master strategist Lord Krishna, he also slowly comes to realise his true purpose and identity. From a plan conceived in the Dwapara Yuga to its revelation in the year 2025 in the Kali Yuga, "The Sage's Secret" is about a perilous and ruthless mission that rests on the shoulders of Kalki. In the year 2025, Anirudh starts dreaming of Krishna. But these visions that keep flashing through his mind are far from an ordinary fantasy - they are vivid episodes from the god's life. Through these scenes, as Krishna's mystifying schemes are revealed, Anirudh slowly comes to terms with his real identity. He is the last
Will Rahul seize the day if he goes to Nagpur? (Column: Political Circus)
If Rahul Gandhi participates in the meeting called by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to discuss the country's future, he can take the opportunity to seek clarifications on the organisation's worldview. The replies by the RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat, to the Congress president's questions cannot but have an impact on the outfit's future in case a clear picture emerges about its attitude towards the various communities.
Jain monk Tarun Sagar dies; President, PM offer condolences
Jain monk Tarun Sagar passed away at a temple here early on Saturday after a prolonged illness, an official said. He was 51.
Issue of minorities' persecution in Pak to be raised at US Capitol Hill
Voice of Karachi (VOK) and South Asia Minorities Alliance Foundation (SAMAF) will jointly hold an event at the United States Capitol Hill on September 5 to highlight the issue of religious freedom and minority rights in Pakistan.During the event titled 'Day on The Hill' solidarity will also be shown with the Afghan people, United States troops and their families, as announced by VOK and SAMAF Chairman, Nadeem Nusrat in a statement.Members of the US Senate and House of Representatives, representatives of various ethnic and religious groups in Pakistan, members of think tanks and South Asia experts will attend and speak at this event.In the statement, Nusrat said, "Since the 1980s, the restive region between Pakistan and Afghanistan has become a safe-sanctuary for some of the world's most wanted men, including Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar. Not many people know that it was a plot hatched inside a cave in Afghanistan that resulted in the 9/11 attacks in the mainland USA which killed ...
PM Modi condoles demise of Jain religious leader Tarun Maharaj
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday condoled the demise of Jain religious leader Tarun Maharaj, noting his contribution to the society. "Deeply pained by the untimely demise of Muni Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj. We will always remember him for his rich ideals, compassion and contribution to society," the prime minister tweeted. Modi said the Jain monk's noble teachings will continue to inspire people. "My thoughts are with the Jain community and his countless disciples," he said.
Israeli instructors of military self-defence fighting system Krav Maga in India
The instructors of Krav Maga, a military self-defence and fighting system developed for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), are presently in India to impart life skills training in self-defence, the Embassy of Israel today said. Refael Kashani, KMIA's co-founder and principal instructor with experience of 26 years, will head the training program in India. The first phase of the program will be led by Israeli instructors. It is Kashani's aim to find and train Indian instructors in future, an official statement said. "As someone who was trained in Krav Maga, I can say that it is a practical self-defence training, which anyone can learn. It also builds self-confidence. Israeli civilians as well as police and army receive training in it. "We are proud of it and now we are spreading it to the rest of world...We view it as a great opportunity that strengthens the long-term cooperation between both the nations," said Maya Kadosh, Charg d' Affaires of the Embassy of Israel. The art of Krav Maga .
Ram temple with Muslim consensus: Nyas member
Former parliamentarian and Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas member Ram Vilas Vedanti today said a Ram temple will be build in Ayodhya withe consensus of all sections of society, including Muslims. He said preparations are on to begin the construction. Speaking on the sidelines of a'Mission Modi Again PM', he said this will happen during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure. He said there seemed no option other than Modi as prime minister in the near future.
Congress slams PM, BJP for mocking Rahul's Kailash yatra
The Congress on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "rattled" and "unnerved" as he and his party have shown their "parochial-hateful mindset" by mocking the religious journey of Rahul Gandhi to Kailash Mansarovar and noted that it is the vilest attack on Hindu faith.
Cleric: 'No going back' on Ukraine split from Russia Church
A senior official in the Orthodox Church says "there's no going back" in granting Ukrainian clerics full ecclesiastic independence from the Russian Orthodox Church. However, Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, who is part of a committee dealing with the Ukrainian question, told The Associated Press that the final step of the procedure has yet to be reached. His comments came as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I welcomed Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in Istanbul today. Ukraine's president has launched a campaign to persuade Bartholomew, seen by many as the first among equals of Orthodox leaders, to accept Ukraine's request. Ukrainian politicians see a declaration, known as a "Tomos of Autocephaly," as a key step in consolidating their country's national identity. Russian religious leaders see it as an attack on Orthodox unity.
Senior Chinese Lama accused of sexual misconduct, Beijing humiliated
China is facing humiliation after its senior Lama, Master Xuecheng, is accused of sexually harassing two nuns. Xuecheng, the face of China's Buddhism for a number of years, now stands disgraced.Xuecheng has stepped down from his position in the Buddhist Association of China, as the abbot of the historic Longquan Temple in Beijing, and other positions.Both the alleged victims in the matter, who happened to be graduates from China's elite Tsing Hua University, lent credence to their charges. A 95-page letter of damnation has been circulating on social media in China, despite desperate early attempts by the State to restrict their circulation.In keeping with their default reaction, the Chinese media initially deleted all references to the matter, including from the official Xinhua news agency's website.Before the allegations surfaced, Xuecheng's last major act was to send out invitations to high dignitaries across the world, asking them to attend the 5th World Buddhist Forum (WBF) in ...
Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker cancels Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest
Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders has cancelled a scheduled Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in the capital here in November following widespread protest in Pakistan that raised concerns over security to the participants.
HC puts ban on fatwas in Uttarakhand
Banning fatwas in the state, the Uttarakhand High Court today declared illegal a fatwa banishing the family of a rape victim from their village. Declaring fatwas as unconstitutional and illegal, the high court directed that in Uttarakhand all the religious bodies and statutory panchayat and any group of people are banned from issuing fatwas, since it infringes upon the statutory rights, fundamental rights, dignity, status, honour and obligation of individuals. Taking cognizance of a newspaper report that the panchayat had issued a fatwa for externment of the family of a rape victim in Laksar as a matter of PIL, the division bench of Acting Chief Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma held that the fatwa was against the letter and spirit of the Constitution. Instead of sympathising with the rape victim, the panchayat had the audacity to extern the family from the village, the court said. "Fatwa is nothing but extra constitutional adventurism, not permissible under the ...
China blames local officials for protest over mosque razing
A rare public protest by thousands of Hui Muslims this month was caused by local officials' recklessness, Chinese authorities said Thursday, without settling concerns a large mosque in the northwestern region would be razed. The governor of the region of Ningxia and a regional Communist Party official said tensions had died out in the city of Weizhou, where thousands protested in early August to prevent authorities from demolishing the towering Grand Mosque. The protests were an unusually bold display of resistance against the party's efforts to dictate how religion is practiced. "This incident is a result of an oversimplified administrative decision by the local government. It originally should not have happened," said Bai Shangcheng, director-general of the regional Communist Party committee's United Front Work Department, which oversees religious groups. Local officials have been ordered to review the incident and "handle it properly," Bai said at a news conference in ...
Egypt appoints first-ever Christian woman as governor
Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has sworn in several new provincial governors, including the first-ever Coptic Christian woman to hold the position. Manal Awad Mikhail was appointed governor of Damietta province Thursday. She was previously a deputy for the Giza governor. The reshuffle included new governors for Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan and North Sinai. Egypt had appointed the first-ever female governor to the province of Beheira in a reshuffle last year. The Beheira governor was changed in Thursday's reshuffle. Christians, who constitute about 10 percent of Egypt's Muslim-majority population of 100 million, have long complained of discrimination and their under-representation in top government positions. Christians strongly supported general-turned-president el-Sissi who led the ouster of his Islamist predecessor. Egypt's current cabinet includes eight female ministers, the highest in the country's modern history.