Page 205 - Religion Belief

Nepal Congress leaders offer shoe shine services for political

Nepali Congress leaders were seen offering shoe shine services to passers-by in Nepal as part of their efforts for "political cleansing", according to a media report. Apart from the NC leaders, human rights activists and political figures also assembled for the programme. They were urging people to take the shoe-shining as a symbolic move to cleanse malpractices and anomalies prevalent in Nepali politics, Kathmandu Post reported. The programme was organised to mark the Martyrs' Day by the foundation of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, a veteran NC leader and former prime minister. NC leaders Dhanraj Gurung, Chandra Bhandari, Binod Bhattarai and Panchkhal Municipality Mayor Mahesh Kharel, among others, were seen shining the shoes of pedestrians. "This is a symbolic step initiated to pass on the values and principles of saintly leaders like Kishun [Krishna Prasad Bhattarai]," said NC leader Binod Bhattarai. Bhattarai said the current leaders of Nepal should learn from the ...

Muslims being harassed in India: J-K Deputy Grand Mufti

Deputy Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir Nasirul Islam today alleged that Muslims in India were being "harassed" under pretexts such as love jihad and cow vigilantism. He also asked the ruling PDP to break its alliance with the BJP, and seek the removal of "draconian laws" such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). "Muslims are being harassed under various pretexts such as love jihad and cow vigilantism... They are being targeted," the cleric told reporters here. He also alleged that Muslims in the country were living a "pathetic" life and that they should demanda separate country. "In India, Muslims are the second largest community. Pakistan was formed with a population of 17 crore. If it continues like this, then they should demand a separate country within India," Islam said. Following the remarks, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in Punjab, said: "I also want to appeal to those plagued with mentality of casteism, religion and minority should come out of ..

Gandhi will remain ever relevant as Buddha and Christ, say politicians, journalists

Politicians and civil society members remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 70th death anniversary on Tuesday, comparing the 'Father of the Nation' with Lord Buddha and Jesus Christ.

PM, VP attend interfaith prayer meet on Gandhi death anniv

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today attended an interfaith prayer meeting on the occasion of the 70th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, his wife Gursharan Kaur, Union ministers Harsh Vardhan and Mahesh Sharma, and Gopalkrishna Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and former West Bengal governor, were also present at the prayer meet at the Gandhi Smriti here. Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a right-wing Hindu activist, on January 30, 1948 at the Birla Bhavan, which was later rechristened as Gandhi Smriti. Prayers were led by religious gurus belonging to Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Baha'i, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism. Modi, Naidu and other dignitaries paid floral tributes at the Gandhi Smriti. The prime minister also interacted with students present at the event. Earlier in the day, Modi paid homage to Gandhi and recalled the sacrifices made by those who laid down their

Women watching soccer 'un-Islamic': Darul Uloom Deoband

The Darul Uloom Deoband on Tuesday ordered that Muslim women should not watch men playing soccer as it violates the tenets of Islam."Football is played wearing shorts, so watching men playing with bare knees is forbidden for women; it's against religious belief," a senior Darul Uloom Deoband cleric Mufti Athar Kasmi said.Earlier this month, the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia has allowed women in to watch matches in soccer stadiums.

Cong playing 'divisive politics; Rajya Sabha MP

Independent Rajya Sabha member and NDA representative Rajeev Chandrasekhar today charged the ruling Congress in Karnataka with playing 'catastrophic divisive politics' as they do not have anything to boast of on development. One example of this was the recent Police communique directing withdrawal of cases registered against "innocent minorities" on charges of rioting among others, which,he said, 'exposes the Siddaramaiah government's policy of appeasement.' "This is a clear attempt of appeasement at the cost of security to people and overall national security," he said. Moreover, this was not just a bid by Congress to ensure their vote bank was safe, but also one to 'aggravate' religious divide in Karnataka, he told PTI. The state government had later amended the words to 'innocent people' and clarified that the comminique referred to all minorities. "Moreover the government's Tipu Jayanti celebrations saw communal tensions in Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada," Chandrasekhar

Build inclusive, just and compassionate society: Prez

Citing teachings of saint Guru Ravidas, President Ram Nath Kovind today stressed on building an inclusive, just and compassionate society. "Guru Ravidasji was a great saint whose teachings emphasised universal fraternity and equality. His teachings are all the more relevant in the modern world and inspire us to work for the poor and the underprivileged. "Let us draw strength from the life of Guru Ravidasji, and build a society that is inclusive, just and compassionate," Kovind said as he greeted fellow-citizens on the eve of birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas.

Provide funds for Ravidas memorial in Hoshiarpur: Sukhbir to

On the eve of Guru Ravidas' birth anniversary, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal today asked the Punjab government to provide funds for completion of the poet-saint's memorial in Hoshiarpur, which was initiated by the previous SAD-BJP dispensation. In a release greeting the people of the state on the eve of Ravidas Jayanti, he said Saint Ravidas was a great poet- saint, social reformer and a spiritual figure, whose 40 hymns were included in Guru Granth Sahib. "We should follow the teachings of Saint Ravidas to live a pious and purposeful life. His lessons of universal brotherhood, tolerance and devotion for God guide us throughout the cycle of life," the SAD president said. Urging the state government to provide funds for the Ravidas memorial, Badal said this project, started by the SAD-BJP government in 2016, was in the limbo due to financial constraints. He said apart from making arrangements for 10,000 followers, funds are needed for construction of a state of the art ...

Indian Muslims should demand separate country: Kashmir Dy Mufti

Kashmir Deputy Mufti Azam Nasir-Ul-Islam on Tuesday sparked a row by saying that Muslims in India should get a separate country as they are bound to live in pathetic conditions."Muslims are being harassed in India in the name of love jihad, cow vigilantism and what not. The population of Muslims is second largest in India. Pakistan was formed with only 17 crore people. If the Muslims continue to suffer in India, then we will have to form a new country. The Muslim community should ask for a separate country," Azam Nasir-Ul-Islam said.He further said that government is not paying heed to the problems of Muslim community and hence they should demand for a separate country."Indian Muslims are living in a pathetic condition. Government is not listening to them. So what is the way out? Way out is to separate from India," he told ANI.

Saudis still holding 56 graft suspects: attorney general

Saudi Arabian attorney general Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb said today that 56 corruption suspects were still in custody out of 381 high profile figures detained on graft allegations. He said he has decided to release all those proven not guilty and others who had agreed financial settlements with the government after admitting to corruption allegations. Mojeb also said that total settlements with the suspects had topped 400 billion riyals ($107 billion) in various forms of assets.

Elangovan opposes any move to remove stone inscription

Former union minister E V K S Elangoavan today opposed any move to remove a stone inscription installed by his great grandfather and father of rationalist leader E V Ramasamy "Periyar" at a temple here. Elangovan visited the Lord Kasturi Aranganathar temple, under the control of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments department, this morning and submitted a petition to the authorities in this regard, temple sources said. A former state Congress chief, Elangovan said he learnt that some Hindu outfits were demanding removal of the stone since it was placed by Periyar's family. The petition, submitted on behalf of the family, stated that Venkatappa Naickker, father of Periyar, decades ago donated the stone inscription and it was installed in the front portion of the temple and it should not be removed. Temple sources said the officials informed Elangovan that the stone might be temporarily removed in view of proposed renovation work but assured it would be ...

Will continue my struggle to end triple talaq: India's first female imam

Jamida, who became the first female imam in India's history to lead the Juma prayers, said on Monday that despite receiving criticism she would continue her struggle to end triple talaq and achieve equal rights for women."I will continue my struggle to end triple talaq and bring women into the mainstream," Jamida told ANI.She further said those who have been criticising her, have been doing so without logic and hence were abusing and targeting her personally.Jamida, the 34-year-old state secretary of the Quran Sunnath Society, became the first female imam in India's history to lead Friday prayers on January 26.She led the Friday afternoon special prayer session at a mosque in Kerala's Malappuram district.

Berlin 'strongly condemns' car firms' tests on humans, monkeys

The German government today strongly condemned revelations that three carmakers had tested the effects of diesel fumes on monkeys and humans, adding that it had asked BMW, Volkswagen and Daimler to explain themselves. "I strongly condemn the exhaust tests," said acting transport minister Christian Schmidt. "This has once again damaged trust in the auto industry.

The Mahatma and anarchy (Comment: Special to IANS)

Much before he turned a Mahatma, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a strong proponent of anarchy. Anarchy is a political school of thought which aspires for a stateless society based on voluntary self-governance. Over centuries, many philosophers -- like Laozi, the founder of Taoism in 6th century BC China, Diogenes and the Cynics and Aristotle in 4th century BC Greece, or even some sayings in Manusmriti from 3rd century India -- have mentioned this ideal state. German philosopher Immanuel Kant called anarchy a state governed by law and "freedom without force".

Will not be cowed down by death threats: woman 'imam' who led

A woman facing death threats for leading the Friday prayers last week says she will not be cowed down by the intimidation and will continue to lead the 'Jumu'ah' congregation. Jamitha, 34, general secretary of the Quran Sunnat Society, had conducted the Jumu'ah, the Muslim Friday prayer service, at the Society's office in Malappuram district's Wandoor village last Friday. Jumu'ah prayers, held every Friday, are usually led by men. "Comments and threats have been posted on social media saying I should not be allowed to live... that I should be burnt alive as I am destroying Islam," Jamitha told PTI. The woman, who broke gender stereotypes when she led the prayers, said she had been receiving death threats on WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube but was not afraid. She said she would not be cowed down by the threats and would continue to lead the prayers. "Those who are attacking me through social media are cowards," she said, adding that she had not filed a police ...

Plea to ban loudspeakers: HC seeks to know govt measures

The Delhi High Court today sought to know from the AAP government and the police measures they have taken on a plea seeking a ban on loudspeakers atop religious structures in the national capital. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar also directed the Delhi Police to place before it the standing order, that they have claimed to have issued, with regard to usage of loudspeaker at religious places. It further directed the state government and the police to positively file an affidavit before it on the next date of hearing, April 18, explaining steps they have taken to publicise the order. The bench further said publicity is important as people have to know norms and consequences in case of violation. The court was hearing a PIL, filed by an activist Sanjjiiv Kkumaar, which said banning of loudspeakers will not violate Article 25 or 26 (Articles on Freedom of Religion) of the Constitution. The plea said loudspeakers were never part of any ..

Owaisi taking political advantage out of Ayodhya dispute: BJP

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi of taking political advantage out of the Ayodhya dispute.This comes after Owaisi questioned how the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP were pre-empting the decision of the Supreme Court on the case, after the RSS decided to begin the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site, even though the verdict is pending."Now even the Muslims- both Shia and Sunni- are demanding that the temple should be built there, except for a few people like Owaisi, who are taking political advantage out of it and making such inappropriate statements," Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey told ANI.In response to Owaisi's comment, Choubey reckoned that the court's decision would echo with the sentiments of majority, "Lord Rama's temple is about the sentiments of crores of people, so the temple will definitely be built in Ayodhya. There's no two ways about it.""Time to time, the ...

Constitution and Deen Dayal Upadhyay cannot go together: Tharoor to Modi

The former Union Minister said while PM describes the Constitution as holy he also hails Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay as a hero. Tharoor asserts that two stands as such cannot go hand-in-hand

Will not allow display of Tipu's portrait at Delhi Assembly:

SAD-BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa today said the portrait of Tipu Sultan will not be allowed to put on display at the Delhi Assembly, alleging the Mysuru ruler was a "tyrant" who "forced" four lakh Hindus and Christians to embrace Islam. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Republic Day unveiled portraits of 70 eminent personalities, including that of Tipu Sultan, at the Delhi Assembly. Sirsa today accused the AAP of indulging in vote-bank politics. "Have they forgotten Prithviraj Chauhan and Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia who fought the invaders and saved the country," he asked. The Rajouri Garden MLA alleged Tipu Sultan was a "tyrant who "forced four lakh Hindus and Christians to convert". "We will not allow Tipu Sultan's portrait at the Vidhan Sabha," he told reporters. Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta rued the AAP government did not consult him before installing the portraits. Gupta said Karnataka witnessed a major clash in 2015 over the ...

Tharoor attacks PM, says it will be Modi's last Budget

Known for his vibrant diction in English, Congress MP and writer Shashi Tharoor has often sent twitteratis looking for dictionaries but the writer of the just-released "Why I Am A Hindu," reinforced his sustained attack on the Hindutva ideology by making a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and maintained that "this is going to be the last Budget" of the Modi government - all of this, bilingually, in Hindi and English.