Page 141 - Religion Belief

Saibaba temple gets Rs 6.66 cr donations on Guru Poornima

The Saibaba temple here received donations worth about Rs 6.66 crore during the three-day 'Guru Poornima' festival, an official said today. The devotees, from the country as well abroad, donated Rs 3.83 crore cash in donation boxes kept in the temple premises between July 26 and 28, Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rubal Agrawal told reporters here yesterday. Besides, the donation counters in the temple, located at Shirdi town in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, received 1.57 crore cash, she said. In addition to this, the temple also received Rs 1 crore through online donations, debit cards, cheques and demand drafts, the CEO said. Also, devotees from places like USA, London, Malaysia, Canada, New Zealand and Gulf countries donated foreign currencies worth Rs 11.25 lakh. During the three-day festival, devotees also donated gold and silver items worth Rs 13.53 lakh, Agrawal said. Apart from these donations, the temple trust earned Rs 2.7 crore

Nun sexual assault: Police to visit Jalandhar to quiz priest

Police probing the alleged rape of a nun by a Jalandhar-based Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church would leave for that city this week to interrogate the top priest. A team headed by Vaikom Deputy Superintendent of Police K Subhash would leave for Jalandhar on Friday, police said. State police Chief Loknath Behera would meet the investigation team ahead of their visit to interrogate Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar diocese in connection with the rape case. During their visit, the police will also try to gather more evidences from those connected with the case. The decision to interrogate Mulakkal came as the team completed a detailed probe in Kerala regarding the allegations levelled against him. Police had earlier said that it will take action in the case "after they are fully convinced". Meanwhile, Kuravilangadu police have registered a case against a Catholic priest for allegedly trying to influence a key witness in the rape case. The police registered the case ...

Don't indulge in superstition, DK tells DMK

Dravida Kazhagam (DK) leader K. Veeramani on Monday urged DMK leaders and cadres not to pray to God for their leader M. Karunanidhi's speedy recovery, saying he would get better only due to medicines.

7 held for slaughtering cows, selling beef in J'khand

Seven people were arrested for allegedly slaughtering cows and selling beef in a village in Jharkhand's Pakur district today, a senior police officer said. Sixteen cows were rescued from the spot, he said. Following information that cows were slaughtered and their flesh was being sold in Manirampur village under Pakur Muffasil police station, a team was formed for necessary action, Pakur superintendent of police Shailendra Prasad Burnwal said. Cow slaughter and sale of beef is banned in the state since 2015 The team raided the houses of three persons in the village in the early hours today and seized 45 kgs of beef, four slaughtered cows, 12 blood-stained knives, three wooden frames meant to fix animals for slaughtering, besides the 16 live cows, Burnwal told a press conference here. The houses raided included those of Halim Sheikh and Sukur Sheikh, he said. The seven arrested were identified as Halim's son Ajmal Sheikh and his brother Salman Sheikh, Saddam Sheikh, Sukur Sheikh, ...

Egypt investigates 'mysterious' death of Coptic Bishop

Egyptian police are investigating the death of a Coptic Christian bishop who was found dead in his monastery northwest of Cairo yesterday, the Coptic Church said. The body of Bishop Epiphanius "was handed to forensic investigators to determine the cause of the death and whether or not it was a murder", a security official said today. "The body was found in one of the monastery's corridors with head injuries", added the security official, who declined to be named. Bishop Epiphanius, 68, was the abbot of Saint Macarius monastery in Wadi el-Natrun. "In light of mysterious circumstances surrounding his death, the authorities were called and they are now carrying out their investigations," Coptic Church spokesperson Boulos Halim said in a statement yesterday. The bishop joined the monastery in 1984 and was elected as its head in 2013. Copts have long complained of discrimination and intermittent sectarian attacks. They make up about 10 per cent of Egypt's 100 million people and were ...

Kerala church case: CMI priest asked to step down

Father James Erthayil of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) Congregation has been asked to step down after an audio clip of his conversation with a nun went viral.Father James was heard offering land, building, and safety to the Kerala-based nun, in exchange for withdrawing the rape complaint against Father Franco Mullackal, the Bishop of Jalandhar diocese."If needed we can buy some land and build a convent and shift all of you to a safe location," Father James was heard saying in the viral audio clip."If you can think in that positive aspect, I will do whatever I can. I am not saying that I can do everything, but will do whatever possible. So the idea is to buy some land and build a convenient building and shift you to that safety," he added.Father Mullackal, the Bishop of Jalandhar diocese, has been accused of raping and having unnatural sex multiple times with a nun in a small region in Kottayam between 2014 and 2016.While narrating her ordeal to the district police chief, the nun

Case against 'Satyameva Jayate' for hurting religious sentiments

A case has been registered against upcoming Bollywood movie 'Satyameva Jayate' by the Shia community in Hyderabad for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.As per the complainant, a 'Maatam' (mourning) scene in the film has hurt religious sentiments of a Muslim sect.Shia community head, Nisar Hyder, said that a complaint was lodged in regard with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Zone, V. Satyanarayana for further action."We have submitted the complaint against all those concerned in making Satymeva Jayate and hurting religious sentiments. We have requested that the filmmakers should immediately remove the Maatam (Mourning) clipping from the movie and then release it. It is clearly hurting the sentiments of Shia Muslims," said Hyder.The DCP, while speaking to the media, said that immediate action will be taken in this regard."Shia community members have approached me and lodged a complaint against 'Satyameva Jayate' movie over a clipping of Maatam, which is hurting the ...

Two drown in Krishna river in Shamli

Two people were feared drowned in overflowing Krishna river in neighbouring Shamli district, police said here today. The incident occurred at Chadenamal village under Thanabhawan police station last evening, Circle Officer Arvind Kumar Rathore said. 12-year-old Yuvraj slipped into the river and his uncle Rajat singh (19) tried to save him but both drowned, the CO said. Search is on to recover their bodies, he said.

Khloe Kardashian wanted son 'badly'

Television personality and model Khloe Kardashian, who gave birth to a girl earlier this month, says she wanted a son "badly". However, she feels blessed having daughter True.

'Reject NCW recommendations to ban confessions in churches'

Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reject the National Commission for Women's recommendation that confessions in churches be banned over fears they could lead to blackmailing of women. Observing that confession is the fundamental belief of Christian churches, the Minister of State for Tourism, in a letter to Modi, termed the NCW's recommendation to the government, seeking a ban on confession in churches, "immature". "I have written to the prime minister and also to the home minister. I met the home minister and had a discussion with him. I told him this must be rejected", Alphons said here yesterday. He said Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured him that he would look into the matter. Alphons said NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma's remarks, while submitting a recommendation to ban confession, was her personal view and she has no mandate to give it. Sharma, while referring to incidents of rape and sexual assault in churches in Kerala, had ...

Govt mulls selling 'mahua' in bottles

As part of its efforts to promote products made by tribal people, the government is mulling bottling mahua, a traditional tribal drink, to sell it in the open market under its Van Dhan Initiative. Flowers of the mahua tree are commonly used by tribal people to brew a drink of the same name which is a major component of any celebration in the communities. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has inked an MoU with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) to develop the traditional drink as a brand and promote in the open market, TRIFED Managing Director Pravir Krishna said. The official said the ministry also plans to bring other tribal staples such as tamarind and amla into the market in the form of jam. Krishna said that they are in the process of getting clearances for selling the product as it is an alcoholic beverage. According to Krishna, ginger and ajwain will also be added to the drink to give it a flavour. "It will be sold all over the country under ..

CM, thousands throng Mahankali temple during Bonalu festival

The two-day annual Bonalu festival, celebrated in parts of Telangana as a thanks giving to Goddess Mahankali, began today at the famous Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad here. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his family offered prayers to the deity as thousands of devotees thronged the temple since morning to have darshan of Goddess Mahankali. Rao's daughter and Nizamabad MP K Kavitha made a golden 'bonam' (offering) to the goddess in a 3.8-kg golden pot donated by devotees. State Home Minister N Narasimha Reddy, Ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav and A Indrakaran Reddy, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee President N Uttam Kumar Reddy, BJP leaders Bandaru Dattatreya, G Kishan Reddy were among those who offered prayers. Bonalu is an annual festival celebrated in the twin cities of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and parts of Telangana as a thanks giving to Goddess Mahankali for fulfilment of vows and involves worship of the goddess and her various forms. It is ...

Bhubaneswar: Illegal encroachments outside ISKCON temple demolished

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) led an anti-encroachment drive in front of Iskcon temple at Nayapalli here on Saturday.Protesting over the water-logging near the temple, BMC and BDA's joint exercise to demolish encroachments outside the temple turned violent as the followers of the sect clashed with police.Three persons including two enforcement squad members were reportedly injured in the stone pelting by Iskcon followers.The Samadhi of Guru Gour Govind Goswami in front of Isckon temple was also demolished.The BMC had earlier issued a notice to the temple administration but since the orders were not complied with, both the authorities went on with the demolition drive.Several illegal establishments were razed during the demolition drive that continued from 9 am to 1.30 pm.All the illegal structures along the service road adjoining NH-16 from CRP Square to Indradhanu Market were demolished.

Trinamool smells BJP-RSS hand in St. Stephens withdrawing invite to Mamata

Smelling a BJP-RSS hand in Delhi's St Stephens College withdrawing an invitation to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress on Saturday said she cannot be silenced and would go ahead with her trip to the national capital.

Raje invokes Karni Mata, calls for environment protection

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has said the messages of Karni Mata, worshipped widely in the state as an incarnation of Goddess Durga, on environment protection and good governance hold relevance today. During her visit to Bikaner, Raje said Karni Mata had given the messages of environment protection as well as to remove social discrimination which are very true and relevant today. The temple of Karni Mata in Deshnok, around 30 km away from Bikaner, is also known as the "Temple of Rats". It is a famous religious place in the state where thousands of rats are fed. The chief minister was in the city to dedicate 'Karni mata panorama'. She also visited Hanumangarh district and held a "Jan samvad" (public dialogue) in Nohar Assembly constituency. The chief minister said here government's schemes and programmes have benefitted lakhs of people in the state. Cooperative minister Ajay Singh, MLA Abhishek Matoria and other public representatives, officials, and BJP workers attended ...

3 detained for waving black flags at Amit Shah's convoy

Three people, including two women, were detained for allegedly waving black flags and jumping in front of BJP chief Amit Shah's convoy, police said today. SP Brijesh Shrivastav said the incident took place yesterday in Dhoomanganj area here. The protesters were members of Samajwadi Party's student wing, said Dhoomanganj SHO Sandeep Mishra. Shah's four-hour itinerary was packed with temple visits, religious functions and meetings with seers.

Mamata should quit Hinduism: Rajasthan minister

Criticising West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for accusing the BJP of trying to create an atmosphere of Talibani Hinduism in the country, a Rajasthan minister has said that she should give quit Hinduism. She does not have the knowledge, and she does not love her country, Labour Minister Jaswant Singh Yadav said last evening. He accused her of making the shameless statement that all Hindu organisations are extremists. Then she should leave Hinduism her mental condition is not good, he told reporters at Behror in Alwar district. After the recent lynching of 28-year old Rakbar Khan in Alwar district on suspicion of cow smuggling, the Trinamool Congress chief had accused the BJP of trying to create an "atmosphere of Talibani Hinduism and Talibani communalism". Yadav said he stood by his earlier statement that Hindus will not tolerate the smuggling and slaughter of cows because the cow is like mother for them. Referring to the recent lynching, he said, Taking the law in one's hand

Thousands take to streets on day one of 'Kanwar Yatra'

The Kanwar Yatra, which draws millions of Shiva devouts to walk bare-foot for miles to fetch pales of holy Ganga water and then pour it on Shiva Lingas at prominent temples, began across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on the first day of the Hindu holy month Shrawan on Saturday.

Mamta should quit Hinduism: Rajasthan minister

Criticising West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee for accusing the BJP of trying to create an atmosphere of Talibani Hinduism in the country, a Rajasthan minister has said that she should give quit Hinduism. She does not have the knowledge, and she does not love her country, Labour Minister Jaswant Singh Yadav said last evening. He accused her of making the shameless statement that all Hindu organizations are extremists. Then she should leave Hinduism her mental condition is not good, he told reporters at Behror in Alwar district. After the recent lynching of 28-year old Rakbar Khan in Alwar district on suspicion of cow smuggling, the Trinamool Congress chief had accused the BJP of trying to create an "atmosphere of Talibani Hinduism and Talibani communalism". Yadav said he stood by his earlier statement that Hindus will not tolerate the smuggling and slaughter of cows because the cow is like mother for them. Referring to the recent lynching, he said, Taking the law in one's hand .

Ukrainian president slams Russian church as 'national security threat'

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today condemned the influential Russian Orthodox Church, which counts millions of believers, as a threat to national security. The influence of the Russian Orthodox Church is a "direct threat to the national security of Ukraine", Poroshenko said during ceremonies marking 1,030 years since conversion to Christianity, adding that "this obliges us to act". The Orthodox Church in Ukraine is split between the largest branch whose clerics pledge loyalty to the head of the Russian church, Patriarch Kirill, and one that is overseen by Kiev-based Patriarch Filaret. Poroshenko joined a procession of tens of thousands of believers organised by the Kiev church after the Moscow-based church held a similar procession yesterday. "I believe it is absolutely necessary to cut off all the tentacles with which the aggressor country operates inside the body of our state," Poroshenko said of the Russian church. He complained that it is "separated from the state only on