Page 174 - Religion Belief
Union Minister calls Congress a 'theatre company'
Union minister for skill development Ananthkumar Hegde on Sunday attacked Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his recent temple visits in karnataka, saying the latter wears a skull cap while going to a mosque and a cross when he goes to a Church."Now Rahul Gandhi realised that there's one religion called Hinduism. That's why he started going to mutts and temples. He goes to temple on somebody's suggestion. When he goes to the mosque he wears a skull cap, when he goes to Church he goes with a Cross," said Hegde, while addressing a rally held at Thigadolli village of Kittur taluk.He further called the Congress party a theatre company, which had been ruling the country for the last seventy years."These people are known for drama. They don't have any morality they don't know where to go, what norms to follow. From last 70 years, this drama company is ruling in India. This drama company should not be in our nation in future," he added.
Dalits convert to Buddhism, say 'not considered Hindus'
A group of Dalits in Gujarat's Una renounced Hinduism on Sunday 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."We are not considered Hindus and we are not even allowed to enter temples, so we have converted to Buddhism," said one of the converted Dalits.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.
Asaram a Mahatma, people have faith in him: Nritya Gopal Das
Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das today termed rape convict godman Asaram a "mahatma" and said the people still trust him. Das went on to say that there was no harm in going to jail as Lord Krishna too had been born in a prison as per mythology. "....This goes on, someone is imprisoned or not. But, people have faith in him (Asaram). He is a mahatma and all this is happening because of this reason (being a mahatma)," Das said while replying to a query on conviction of the self-styled godman. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in the city. Asaram was recently sentenced to life-long jail term by a Rajasthan court for raping a teenage girl in his ashram near Jodhpur in 2013. "This (imprisonment of Asaram) is not going to tarnish the image of saints and seers," he said. Das said prison is the place where Lord Krishna was born and there is no harm in going there. "The saints and seers would deliver sermons in prison if they go there.... Saints ..
PHDCCI, Indian Yoga Assn sign MoU to promote tourism in Krishna Circuit
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and the Indian Yoga Association (IYA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) today to facilitate interaction and cooperation between the two organisations to promote wellness, spiritual and cultural tourism in the Krishna Circuit. The MoU was signed between D K Aggarwal, Vice President, PHDCCI, and Kamlesh Barwal, Secretary General, IYA, in the presence of yoga guru Ramdev, a statement said. The two organisations have joined hands to provide a holistic tourism experience to domestic and international travellers looking for some spiritually invigorating and cultural experiences. On the occasion, a curtain raiser of the first edition of the Tourism Summit, proposed to be held on September 1-2 at Vrindavan and Mathura, was unveiled by Ramdev and H R Nagendra. In his address, Ramdev focussed on the unique and rich heritage of India, which, he said had the potential to make it a frontrunner in the wellness, spiritual, knowledge and ...
Una flogging victims among 450 Dalits who embrace Buddhism
A Dalit family, whose four members were allegedly flogged by cow vigilantes in Una tehsil in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district in 2016, embraced Buddhism today at an event organised in Mota Samadhiyala village. The organiser of the programme claimed that a total of 450 Dalits embraced Buddhism on the occasion. More than a thousand Dalits participated in the event in Saurashtra region, where cow vigilantes had allegedly flogged seven Dalits for skinning the carcass of a cow in July 2016. Among the new converts were Balubhai Sarvaiya, his sons Ramesh and Vashram, who were victims of the flogging, and Balubhai's wife Kunwar Sarvaiya. Balubhai's nephew Ashok Sarvaiya, and another relative Bechar Sarvaiya, who also were the victims of flogging, shunned Hinduism on the eve of Buddha Purnima - the birthday of Lord Buddha. Another victim of flogging, Devjibhai Babariya, who hails from nearby Bediya village, could not attend the function due to poor health, Balubhai said. "A total of 450 Dalits ..
Centre developing infrastructure for Buddhist tourism: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Centre was taking initiatives to develop infrastructure for Buddhist tourism in an attempt to connect Southeast Asia to the important Buddhist sites in the country.
Modi extends Ramazan greetings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended Ramazan greetings to the Muslim community, saying the holy month inculcates values of compassion.
PM to inagurate Buddha Jayanti celebrations on April 30
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Buddha Jayanti celebrations organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) on April 30, according to a statement. A conglomerate of Buddhist institutions will come together to showcase the various facets of Buddhist traditions. "The PM and other dignitaries will pay their respects to the sacred relics specially brought for the occasion from the National Museum to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. He will also offer Sangha Dana to the venerated Sangha," the statement said. Modi had in 2015 announced that Buddha Jayanti Day would be commemorated and celebrated as an annual event by the nation. Accordingly, an organizing committee was set up to oversee the celebrations under the chairpersonship of Minister of State for Culture Mahesh Sharma with Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju as Co-chairperson. Ven Dr. Dhammapiya, Secretary General, International Buddhist Confederation ...
Una Dalit family to embrace Buddhism tomorrow
A Dalit family, whose four members were allegedly flogged by cow vigilantes in Una tehsil of Gir Somnath district of Gujarat in 2016, will convert to Buddhism tomorrow along with hundreds of others. The conversion ceremony will be held at Mota Samadhiyala village in Gir Somnath district where the flogging incident had happened, and it comes on the eve of Buddha Jayanti. "We had informed the district collector on April 20 that we will convert to Buddhism on April 29, and we have sought the support of members of our community and others for the programme where hundreds of Dalits will embrace Buddhism," Piyush Sarvaiya, a member of the Sarvaiya family whose four members were victims of the flogging incident, said. Seven Dalits, including four members of the Sarvaiya family from Mota Samadhiyala, were paraded and flogged for allegedly skinning a dead cow in July, 2016. The incident had caused nationwide outrage after a video of the same went viral. Sarvaiya said he expects ...
Nitish visits Maner Sharif shrine in Bihar
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today visited the Maner Sharif shrine on the outskirts of the city where the 749th 'Urs' (death anniversary) of Sufi saint Hazrat Makhdum Yahiya Maneri is being observed, officials said. Kumar reached Maner Sharif, about 30 km from here, laid a wreath on the tomb of the Sufi saint and offered prayers, an official release said. The chief minister also inaugurated a seminary located there, the release added.
Politics has lost its meaning in present times: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said politics has always been a part of India with legends indulging in it, but the same has now lost its essence and meaning. Addressing a seminar organised by the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in his parliamentary constituency here, he said Lord Rama and Lord Krishna had indulged in politics for 'Ram Rajya' and 'dharma'. "Politics has been done since long in India...Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, freedom fighters Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose have all done politics...the difference in their politics was of character and dedication to values...," he said. "There has been a fast change in the past 30 years in the opinion of people towards those doing politics...telling lies, betraying people, stabbing people in the back, leg pulling is what is today considered as politics...politics has lost its meaning," he said. The senior BJP leader also went down to explain the different contexts of politics. "The .
Pastors manhandled: Tamil Maiya Organisation blames RSS for atrocities against Christian Community
In the wake of two pastors being manhandled in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari, JG Raj of the Tamil Maiya Organisation, on Saturday, pinned the blame on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other connected organisations for the atrocities against the Christian Community."Atrocities against the Christian community, the assault and attack on Christian preachers and threatening of the Christian population in Tamil Nadu are being done by the RSS and its affiliated organisations. We will repel the forces of violence with the strength of non-violence," said Raj.Earlier, on April 22, two pastors were allegedly physically and verbally abused and forcefully smeared with holy ash by some miscreants inside Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple here.A video of the incident that went viral on social media shows the pastors sitting on the temple corridor with holy ash smeared on their faces, while a man loudly chanted 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.No case was registered in the matter and the dispute was settled ...
Even Lord Rama, Krishna indulged in politics: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday claimed that politics has been a part of India before Independence, adding that even Lord Rama and Krishna were indulged in politics.Addressing a gathering at an event here, Singh further said that Lord Rama's political objective was to build 'Ram Rajya'."Politics has been a part of India before Independence. Even Lord Rama and Krishna were indulged politics. Lord Rama's political objective was to build 'Ram Rajya'. Lord Rama did politics with ardent devotion," he said.Singh was on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Lucknow from April 27.
Goa protest wants controversial land use plan scrapped
A protest meeting, called by local civil society groups and backed by the influential Roman Catholic Church in Goa, on Friday demanded scrapping of the decisions of the BJP-led coalition government to adopt a controversial land use plan.
SC urged to refer Babri dispute to Constitution bench
Muslim representatives on Friday urged the Supreme Court to refer the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue to a larger five-judge Constitution bench as the Hindu petitioner said the issue should be heard purely as a "property dispute".
Religious freedom conditions continued 'downward trend' in India in 2017: USCIRF
Religious freedom conditions continued a "downward trend" in India last year as Hindu-nationalist groups sought to "saffronise" it through violence, intimidation, and harassment of non-Hindus and Hindu Dalits, a US federal government appointed commission has alleged. The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its latest report has placed India in the Tier 2 countries of particular concern along with Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhastan, Laos, Malaysia and Turkey. "Conditions for religious minorities have deteriorated over the last decade due to a multifaceted campaign by Hindu-nationalist groups like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang (RSS), Sangh Parivar, and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) to alienate non-Hindus or lower-caste Hindus," the USCIRF said. The victims of this campaign include Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, as well as Dalit Hindus, who belong to the lowest rung in the Hindu caste system, the USCIRF ...
Pakistan to send Buddhist relics to Sri Lanka
Pakistan will send Buddhist relics to Sri Lanka on the occasion of Vesak to be celebrated on April 29, a statement from the Office of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister said here on Friday.
Two lakh devotees witness celestial wedding at Madurai temple
More than two lakh devotees today witnessed the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar at the famous Sri Meenakshi temple here. Idol of Lord Pavala Kani Vai Perumal from Tiruparankunram was brought here for the ceremony. The celestial wedding is a highlight of the 10-day annual 'Chithirai' festival at the ancient temple. Various organisations had made arrangements for distribution of water, buttermilk and beverages to the devotees to help them beat the summer heat.
Taiwan accuses China of risk to global health over WHO ban
Taipei accused China today of endangering the health of Taiwanese people and compromising global epidemic prevention by blocking it from the World Health Organization (WHO), as its hopes of attending a major meeting next month dim. Last year was the first time in eight years that Taiwan was not granted access to the World Health Assembly (WHA) -- the WHO's main annual meeting -- due to pressure from Beijing as part of its efforts to exclude the island from international events. China, which sees self-governing democratic Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, has used its clout to diminish the island's presence on the world stage since Beijing-sceptic President Tsai Ing-wen took power in May 2016. Taiwan has yet to receive an invitation to the WHA assembly in Geneva next month. The island's foreign ministry accused China Thursday of having a "secret arrangement" with WHO granting Beijing power to veto its attendance even at smaller technical briefings. Out of the 154
11 killed in central Nigeria violence: state government
Eleven people have been killed in central Nigeria, the Benue state government said today, a day after at least 18 people died in an attack on a church that caused widespread outrage. Rilwanu Adamu, an adviser to the Benue governor Samuel Ortom on Islamic affairs, said the attack happened in the state capital, Makurdi, and targeted ethnic Hausa traders. "We lost 11 of our people.... We have five people also hospitalised in Makurdi," he said, warning that the death toll could yet rise. Two mosques were razed to the ground and traders' goods ransacked, said Adamu. The latest deaths came in the wake of an attack on a church in the Mbalom community south of Makurdi on Tuesday, which left 16 worshippers and two Roman Catholic priests dead. President Muhammadu Buhari described the attack, which locals blamed on nomadic herdsmen, as "evil and satanic" and said it was designed to whip up religious conflict. Riots erupted in Makurdi following the deaths, forcing police to fire teargas to ...