Page 173 - Religion Belief
SC refuses to interfere with rituals in Ujjain's Mahakal Temple
The Supreme Court today refused to interfere with the rituals being observed at the historic Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain while dealing with the issue of protecting the 'Jyotirlingam' at the ancient temple,. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and U U Lalilt, in its order, said it has neither interfered in the merit nor the religious ceremony of the temple in Madhya Pradesh. The bench said it has incorporated all suggestions given by parties and the resolution passed by the temple management committee has to be implemented. The temple, in its resolution, has permitted devotees to use a fixed amount of water measuring 500 ml in a small pot per person for 'Jalabhishek' (worship by offering water). As per the resolution, water for 'Jalabhishek' should be taken from the Reverse Osmosis (RO) machine installed during the religious congregation of Simhastha in 2016, for which a connection was to be provided near the sanctum sanctorum. The bench today warned that its order should not be ...
Acceptance of all faith is only way to peace: Rajnath
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday expressed concern over the rise in violence in the name of religion, and said that respect and acceptance of all faith is the only way of ensuring peace of harmony in the age of growing religious crisis and conflict."The world today is increasingly witnessing violence, division and hostility in the name of religion. It is a cause of grave concern for us," Singh said."I firmly believe that ancient Indian thought of respect and acceptance of all faith is the only way of ensuring peace of harmony in the age of growing religious crisis and conflict," he added.Singh was inaugurating the civic reception in Thiruvananthapuram accorded to honour Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan on completion of 100 years of age.At the event, he praised Mar Thoma as an inspiration to the people of Kerala, the Christian community, as well as entire India.Singh hailed India as a land where religious freedom has been exercised for centuries and a ...
Religion a personal choice, should be free from coercion: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asserted that religion is a "personal choice" and it should always remain free from any "coercion or allurement". The senior BJP leader made the assertion while observing that Indian tradition takes pride in giving freedom to have, to retain and to adopt a religion or belief. He also appealed to all religious sects to act with restraint and respect everyone, stressing the need to strengthen the bonds of unity, amity and harmony in society Singh said the country's long standing convention for openness to new ideas, tolerance towards other faiths and giving them respect was as old as Indian civilisation itself. The home minister was speaking at a civic reception accorded to Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan on his 101 birthday celebrations here. "I have no hesitation in accepting the fact that almost every government in this country has been tolerant towards all religions and faiths. This principle of equality and tolerance ..
World witnessing violence, hostility in the name of religion: Rajnath
The world is increasingly witnessing violence and hostility in the name of religion, and the ancient Indian thought of respect for all faiths is the only way of ensuring peace and harmony, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today. Singh said almost every government in the country has been tolerant towards all religion and faith. "The world today is increasingly witnessing violence, division and hostility in the name of religion. It is a cause of grave concern for us. I firmly believe that the ancient Indian thought of respect and acceptance for all faiths is the only way to ensure peace and harmony in the age of growing religious clashes and conflict," he said. The home minister, while speaking at a civic reception for Philipose Mar Chrysostom, the emeritus Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, said the spirit of tolerance has also been enshrined in India's Constitution. The country's entire system is guided by the Constitution, which has roots in the ancient cultural ..
Strengthen bonds of unity, amity in society: Rajnath """
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today stressed the need to strengthen the bonds of unity, amity and harmony in society and appealed to all religious sects to act with restraint and respect everyone. The senior BJP leader said the country's long standing convention for openness to new ideas, tolerance towards other faiths and giving them respect was as old as Indian civilisation itself. Singh was speaking at a civic reception accorded to Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan on his 101 birthday celebrations here. "Unity is our strength and we must work to strengthen the bonds of unity, amity and harmony in our society", Singh said. He also appealed to all religious sects or societies to act with restraint and respect everyone. The Minister said India stands united not because of one religion or some theological thought holding the political power or exercising control over the system, but because it provides space to peaceful co-existence of multiple ...
Krishna District to be named as NTR District: Jagan
Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) supremo Jaganmohan Reddy on Sunday took pledge to name Krishna district as Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao District.He announced this at the 147th day of his Praja Sankalpa Yatra at Nimmakuru village in Pamarru assembly constituency. Nimmakuru is the birthplace of the late Chief Minister NT Rama Rao (NTR).Family members and relatives of NTR met YSRCP Supremo and shared their grievances. They were unhappy with the incumbent TDP government and they expressed solidarity with Jagan's Yatra.Locals also alleged that the sand mafia was selling sand at the exorbitant price.With throngs of the crowd gathering the venue, the young leader patiently listened to grievances of locals.With Vizag witnessing the Vimochana Deeksha, the announcement in Krishna District by YSRCP supremo has heated up the political battle in the state, where assembly polls are due.The opposition leader has been overviewing the Deeksha from Padayatra itself. He was wearing black ...
Nepal celebrates Buddha Jayanti
Nepal on Monday marked the 2,562nd Buddha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, across the country by spreading the message of peace, non-violence, harmony and co-existence.
Do not mix religion and politics: Vice-President
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today said religion and politics should not be mixed and suggested that religious leaders give spiritual guidance while politicians take inspiration from the country's noble heritage to provide a clear polity. He was speaking at a civic reception organised in honour of Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom, Valiya Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church on his 101st birthday and the diamond jubilee celebrations of Holy Ordination of the Most Rev Dr Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan here. "I hope these two strands -- religion and politics- are not mixed up and religious leaders give spiritual guidance to every human being and political leaders take inspiration from our noble heritage to provide a clean polity", Naidu said. Religious shrines are places of devotion and potentially sites of social and community education, he said, adding that if they stray from their path and dabble in politics and issue unwarranted divisive statements, they ..
Not just Muslims, everyone from weaker section feels hassled: Sareshwala
Maulana Azad National Urdu University Chancellor Zafar Sareshwala said today that he earlier thought only Muslims were "hassled" in the country, but has now come to believe that everyone from the weaker section of society felt the same way. The chancellor, believed to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said the "underprivileged", irrespective of their religious affiliations, should be given an equal opportunity in education and as entrepreneurs. "Earlier, I used to think that only Muslims are hassled in this country, but now I know that every person from the weaker section is 'pareshan' (hassled)," Sareshwala said. He said the government should work for everybody and ensure that there is no discrimination against the people, "whether they belong to minority communities or are underprivileged". "All of them (minorities and underprivileged) should be provided equal opportunities," the varsity chancellor told reporters on the sidelines of an entrepreneurship workshop ...
Police registers case against VHP leader Sadhvi Saraswati """
A case was today registered against VHP leader Sadhvi Saraswati for allegedly exhorting violence and hurting religious sentiments in her speech at a Hindu convention near here recently. The case was registered under non bailable sections of Indian Penal Code like 295A (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of a citizen), 153 (giving provocation with intention to cause riot) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) on a complaint from a person named Naufal, police said. They said the sadhvi, while addressing a Hindu convention at Badiyadukki in the northernmost Kasaragod district, tried to create tension by her inflammatory speech on April 27. The convention was organised by VHP and Bajrang Dal.
Teachings of Buddha still relevant, says Arunachal governor
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra today called upon the people of the state to follow the teachings of Buddha which he said are relevant in equal measures even today. Greeting the people on the occasion of the Buddha Purnima, Mishra said Buddha's messages of peace, knowledge, non-violence, upliftment of the downtrodden and freedom from superstitious are promoters of modern welfare societies. "Buddha's teachings cover all aspects of life and cares for the last individual in last social rung of the society," he said. The eight parts of the path to liberation are the essential elements of Buddhist practice, which include moral conduct, mental discipline and wisdom, Mishra said. Accompanied by Home Minister Kumar Waii, the governor paid obeisance at Theravada Buddha Vihara here, on this occasion.
India never attacked any country: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India has been historically peaceful and never attacked any other country.Delivering speech at an inaugural function of Buddha Jayanti celebrations organised by the Ministry of Culture, here, the Prime Minister said, "Our tradition, culture and history are evidence that we have never been the aggressors. We have never attacked any country. Indian religions are inclusive and tolerant."He further highlighted that India has never been an aggressor and that religious thoughts born in India have always been considerate of others.The Prime Minister said that Lord Buddha's compassion has endeared him to millions.Prime Minister Modi added that the central theme of all religious thoughts born in India focuses on humanity."Indian religions never force anyone to come and join them, neither they show kindness to only those who are in the fold, they are for everyone," he said.He further said that discrimination on race, caste, creed not present in ..
Rahul does "drama", Cong a "drama company": Union min Hegde "
Rahul Gandhi does "drama" and the Congress is a "drama company", Union Minister Ananthkumar" Hegde has said, attacking the Congress president over his frequent visits to places of worship during elections. The Minister of State for Skill Development said it is only now (during elections) that Rahul Gandhi has realised that a religion called "Hindu Dharma" exists. "Today, our Rahul Gandhi has remembered that there is also a Hindu dharma in our country and that's the reason he has started visiting temples and mathas," Hegde told a public rally in Belagavi district of poll-bound Karnataka yesterday. "That man does not even know how to take teertha (holy water given devotees at temples). Just because someone advised him, he goes to temples and mathas with Kaavi (saffron) clothes wearing Rudraksh malas (garlands)...to mosques donning (skull) cap with chicken feather, and churches wearing a cross. He wants to do drama, nothing else," he said. Hegde has often landed in trouble ..
Protest march in Gurugram over FIR for stopping 'namaz'
A protest march under the banner of the Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti was taken out here on Monday to demand cancellation of an FIR against six youths on the charge of disrupting 'namaz' on government land.
Buddha Purnima observed with religious fervour
Buddha Purnima, a holiday traditionally celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Gautam Buddha, is being observed with much devotion and spirituality at various places across the country.In the holy city of Gaya, around 1000 Buddhist monks from countries all over the world took out a peace march to mark the occasion."A march has been taken out in order to spread the message of peace and tranquillity throughout the world," said an organiser of the peace march.Devotees in Allahabad's Triveni Sangam took a holy dip,In Sarnath, people took out a peace march.Earlier in the day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar paid tribute to Lord Buddha at the Buddha Smriti Park in Patna.This is not only the day when Buddha took birth but also the day when he attained nirvana in Lumbini, Kapilvastu (currently in Nepal).
Pope receives victims of Chilean paedophile priest
Three victims of a Chilean paedophile priest have held private meetings with Pope Francis, as the Vatican tries to quell a sex abuse scandal that has rocked the Roman Catholic Church in Chile. The men, all victims of the paedophile priest Fernando Karadima, were in Vatican City at the personal invitation of the pope, who in April admitted "grave mistakes" in his handling of the abuse controversy in Chile. Juan Carlos Cruz said his meeting with Francis yesterday, which lasted more than two hours, was wide-ranging and gave him "more hope for our Church, even though the task is enormous". "I am moved, he listened to me with great respect, affection and closeness, like a father," Cruz said on Twitter. The Vatican had said last week that Francis would seek to "ask for their forgiveness, share their hurt and the shame they have suffered". Jose Andres Murillo said he told Francis in his audience late Friday how important it was to understand that sexual abuse was "abuse of power", and "the ..
Buddha relics from India figure in Lanka's Vesak festival
Sacred Buddhist Relics from India's Sarnath are on display in Sri Lanka for public veneration to mark Vesak, a festival that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. Relics from India and Pakistan are on exposition at Temple Trees, the official residence of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister during the Vesak week. They will be on exposition outside capital Colombo until May 16, officials said. The Indian High Commission said that this was the first time that sacred relics from Sarnath have been brought to Sri Lanka. Previously the Kapilavastu relics brought from India had been displayed for Buddhists to pay homage. "The sacred relics from Sarnath are yet another manifestation of the shared Buddhist heritage of India and Sri Lanka, which forms the spiritual bond between our two nations," the Indian High Commission said.
Dalits converting to Buddhism, a dangerous situation: BJP MLA
Terming the mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism as a "dangerous situation," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Udit Raj on Monday cited "social injustice" as the prime reason.Raj while talking to ANI, said that the Dalits face atrocities for a number of reasons and that could have influenced their decision."The reason is social injustice. Dalits are beaten up for even having a moustache. I do not know what alternative they have. This is really a dangerous situation," he said.On Sunday, a group of Dalits in Gujarat's Una renounced Hinduism to convert to Buddhism.The residents claimed that they took the decision as they were not considered as Hindus and were not allowed to enter temples.Earlier on March 1, a similar incident came to light in Karnataka's Kalburagi district, where over 60 Dalit families converted to Buddhism.The main reason for the conversion was cited as oppression and abuse from the upper-caste Hindu members of the village, who attacked and defiled some Dalits.
President, PM extend Buddha Purnima greetings
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended greetings on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
PM Modi to inaugurate Buddha Jayanti celebrations today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Buddha Jayanti celebrations at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, on Monday afternoon.The event will also be attended by Culture Minister Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) Secretary-General Dr Dhammapiya.Buddha Purnima is being celebrated across the country to mark the birth of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.In his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi wished people ahead of the occasion and remembered the teachings of Lord Buddha."Lord Buddha was the fountainhead of egalitarianism, peace, harmony and brotherhood. These are human values, which are most desired in the world today," he said.The Prime Minister also took to Twitter to extend his greetings, "The teachings of Lord Buddha are extremely relevant in the 21st century. His was a life devoted to alleviating suffering and removing injustice from society. His ...