Page 29 - Religion Belief

Delhi court to hear on May 1 plea against Mayawati for hurting religious sentiment

A Delhi court will hear on May 1 a plea seeking direction to the police to register an FIR against BSP supremo Mayawati for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by comparing herself with Lord Rama. The plea has referred to Mayawati's affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in which she said that if the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh can make tall idol of Lord Rama in Ayodhya measuring 221 metres by using government funds, then why she cannot make her own idol. It said through her "sarcastic comments" in the affidavit, Mayawati has attempted to prompt disharmony or feelings of enmity, hurt or ill-will between different religious communities. "It is a clear cut preplanned conspiracy for disrespecting a religion with a view to take undue advantage for polarisation and satisfying some other religion and she wanted to create disharmony between communities," claimed the plea filed by Chatter Singh Rachhoya, general secretary of All India Raiger Mahasabha. The former chief minister of ...

This poll is battle between Ram & Ravan, Godse & Gandhi: Sidhu

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu Wednesday said this Lok Sabha election was a battle between Lord Krishna and Kans, Ram and Ravan, and Godse and Gandhi. Sidhu, addressing a poll rally in Dholka town in Ahmedabad district, lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, unemployment and farmer issues, and also dared the PM to have a debate with him. "China is building a railway line beneath the sea. US is finding life on Mars. Russia is trying to build an army of robots. And what is India doing? We are making a 'chowkidar' who is actually a 'chor' (thief). I am telling you that you are indeed a thief," Sidhu, who is one of the star campaigners of the Congress, said. "You always talk about nationalism. Then listen Mr. Modi. This is a battle between Lord Krishna and Kans. This is a battle between Ram and Ravan. And, this is a battle between Godse and Gandhi," he added. The Punjab minister accused Modi of dividing the nation. "Our Constitution says there ...

Rahul Gandhi recalls 'fond' memories of father Rajiv Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday recalled the 'fond' memories of his late father Rajiv Gandhi, after visiting Thirunelli Temple in Kerala's Wayanad, where former Prime Minister's ashes were immersed.After visiting the temple, Gandhi said that "its surroundings are an oasis of peace & serenity"."Today I visited the Thirunelli Temple in Wayanad, Kerala. This beautiful temple & its surroundings are an oasis of peace & serenity. Standing besides the Papanasini, where my father's ashes were immersed in 1991, brought back fond memories of him & our time together," Gandhi tweeted after visiting the temple here.Gandhi offered prayers and performed rituals for his late family members as well as victims of the Pulwama terror attack at the temple.The Gandhi scion had filed his nomination from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat on April 4.Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency fell vacant following the death of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president M I ...

EC ban on, Yogi lands in Ayodhya, meets sants

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is making the most of the 72-hour campaigning ban imposed on him by the Election Commission.

Lakhs of devotees witness celestial wedding at Meenakshi

: More 1.5 lakh devotees from various parts of Tamil Nadu converged on the famous Sri Meenakshi Amman temple here Wednesday to witness the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar. The wedding is the highlight of the10-day annual 'Chithirai' festival at the ancient temple. Special poojas were performed before the deities exchanged garlands at 9.52 a.m amid chanting of the names of the God and Goddess by the devotees. Authorities made arrangements for distribution of water, buttermilk and beverages to devotees to help them beat the summer heat.

Pope thanks Notre-Dame firefighters on behalf of whole Church

Pope Francis on Wednesday thanked the firefighters who risked their lives to save the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on behalf of the entire Catholic Church. "The gratitude of the whole Church goes to all those who did everything they could, even risking their lives, to save the Basilica," he said during the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square. Francis said he had been "very saddened" by the vast blaze on Monday which gutted the great Paris landmark, destroying the roof, causing the steeple to collapse and leaving France reeling in shock. A firefighter suffered injuries during the blaze, which at one point threatened to bring down one of the two monumental bell towers on the western facade of the cathedral that is visited by 13 million tourists each year. The Holy Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Jesus at his crucifixion, was saved by firefighters, as was a sacred tunic worn by 13th-century French king Louis IX. Rescuers formed a human chain at the site of the

Rahul performs 'beli tharpanam' for father in Kerala

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday performed "beli tharpanam" in memory of his father former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at a Thiruneli temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Lankan Prez offers prayers at Tirumala shrine

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Wednesday offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala near here. Accompanied by wife Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari, other family members and some government officials, Sirisena arrived here from Hyderabad Tuesday. After an overnight stay at the TTD guest house on the hills, he visited the temple at the crack of dawn and offered prayers to the presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara. He spent about half an hour at the shrine, a temple official told PTI. After paying obeisance, the island nation's President was presented with a sacred silk cloth, a framed photo of Lord Venkateswara besides 'prasadam' by the officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which governs the ancient hill temple. Before leaving the temple, the priests at Sri Ranganayakula Mandapam, blessed him. Sirisena would leave for Bangalore to fly back to Colombo, the official added. Earlier, he had visited the holy hills in August 2016 and February ..

EC ban on: Yogi lands in Ayodhya temple, meets saints

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is making good use of the 72-hour ban imposed on him by the Election Commission.

French Prez wants Notre Dame rebuilt in 5 years

Soon after the fire was put out at the Notre Dame Cathedral, French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said that he wants the historic site to be rebuilt in the next five years.The iconic Parisian landmark bore great damage after a blaze engulfed the 13th-century cathedral on Monday."We will rebuild Notre Dame even more beautiful and I want that to be done in the next five years," CNN quoted Macron as saying in a televised address. "Throughout our history, we have built towns, ports, churches. Many have been burnt due to revolutions, wars, due to mankind's mistakes. Each time we have rebuilt them," he added."The fire of Notre Dame reminds us that our story never ends. And that we will always have challenges to overcome. What we believe to be indestructible can also be touched," the French President lastly said.The violent blaze, the origin of which remains unknown, shook the entire world as people voiced their sadness upon seeing centuries of history go up in flames. Considered as ..

Pope offers prayers for Notre Dame 'catastrophe'

Pope Francis is offering his prayers that Notre Dame, the "architectural gem of a collective memory," will once again be a shrine to the Catholic faith, a symbol of the French nation and a spiritual and architectural gift to humanity. In a heartfelt note of condolences sent to Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit, Francis said Tuesday that the fire was particularly devastating given that it came during Holy Week, the somber days leading up to Easter during which Christians commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Francis wrote: "This catastrophe has gravely harmed a historic building. But I am aware that it has also affected a national symbol dear to the heart of Parisians and all French people in the diversity of their convictions. "Because Notre Dame is the architectural gem of a collective memory, a place of gathering for great events, a witness of the faith and prayer of Catholics in the heart of the city." Francis praised the courage of the firefighters and invoked his .

Goa priest offers apology for hate-speech

The Goa Catholic priest, whose video of a hate-speech during a sermon against the BJP went viral, has "offered an unconditional apology" to the state administration, South Goa Collector Ajit Roy has said.

Goa priest apologises for remarks against PM, Shah, Parrikar

The Catholic priest who had allegedly made statements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and late Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Tuesday tendered an "unconditional apology" after he was found guilty of violating the poll code. The priest, Fr Conceicao D'Silva, faced a probe by election officials after a video of his controversial speech went viral on social media. Stung by the remarks, the BJP had Sunday lodged a complaint against him with poll authorities. South Goa District Returning Officer Ajit Roy, in an order issued here, said DSilva, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Snows Church, has admitted to making the statements during an inquiry conducted by Additional District Magistrate Agnelo Fernandes. "The Parish Priest has admitted that he had made statements. However, he regrets it and has tendered his unconditional apology for hurting sentiments of general public," Roy said. "As the priest has tendered an unconditional apology, the ...

Amid poll panel's gag order, Yogi to visit Ayodhya

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit the Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday, amid the 72-hour ban on campaigning imposed on him by the Election Commission. Adityanath visited the famous Hanuman Setu temple here and offered prayers Tuesday, a day after the poll panel barred him from electioneering for three days for likening the ongoing Lok Sabha polls to a contest between 'Ali' and 'Bajrang Bali'. In Ayodhya, along with the makeshift shrine to Ram Lalla, the chief minister will also pray at the nearby Hanuman Garhi temple on Wednesday. In the evening, he will go to Devipatan, a temple of goddess Durga in Balrampur district, where he would stay the night. The chief minister reached the Hanuman Setu temple here Tuesday morning and got a rousing reception from his supporters amid slogans of "Jai Gorakhdham" and "Jai Bajrangbali ji". He, however, refused to take questions from the mediapersons, following the poll panel's gag order. He spent about 25 minutes at the

Notre Dame Fire: Pope Francis, PM Modi express solidarity with France

Pope Francis on Tuesday expressed solidarity with the people of France following the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday.The Pope wrote on his official Twitter handle, "Today we unite in prayer with the people of France, as we wait for the sorrow inflicted by the serious damage to be transformed into hope with reconstruction. Holy Mary, Our Lady, pray for us. #NotreDame"A deadly blaze engulfed the historic cathedral in France on Monday afternoon (local time), taking down the structure's famous spire, much to the horror of onlookers and world community alike.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday conveyed his shock and sadness on the devastation caused by the fire, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar wrote on Twitter.In a letter written to the French President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi "expressed India's solidarity with the President and people of France on this national loss."The cathedral houses a few of the most coveted relics in Christianity,

Kerala: Rahul Gandhi visits kin of late KM Mani in Pala

Congress president Rahul Gandhi visited the residence of late Kerala Congress (M) leader KM Mani and met the family members of the departed soul here on Tuesday.He expressed his condolences to Mani's family over the veteran politician's demise.Mani, a sitting MLA over the last 54 years, had passed away in Kochi on April 9 at the age of 86. He had served as a minister in the Kerala government for 25 years.He was suffering from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) for several years and was undergoing treatment for chest infection in a hospital earlier this month.Mani was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1965 from Pala constituency of Kerala's Kottayam district.A founder member of Kerala Congress party, Mani later formed the Kerala Congress (M), a key coalition partner of the Congress-led UDF in Kerala.Soon after his death, the Congress president expressed condolences to Mani's family: "I'm sorry to hear about the passing of Shri K M Mani, a highly

PSIEC launches commemorative medallions to mark 550thbirth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev

State-owned Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) Tuesday announced the launch of commemorative medallions to mark the 550thbirth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. PSIEC has made arrangement with the government of India's enterprise MMTC for the design and fabrication of the commemorative medallions, said corporation's general manager Sukhdip Singh Sidhu. The gold and silver medallion will be made available through 'Phuklari' stores of PSIEC located at Chandigarh, Amritsar, Patiala, Delhi and Kolkata. Besides, MMTC will also sell the commemorative medallions through its own outlets, Singh said. "PSIEC is also in the process of making available these commemorative medallions to the devotees and general public through e-commerce platform," he said. The prices of 5 gm and 10 gm gold coin were Rs 18,500 and Rs 37,500 respectively. The 50 gm silver medallion will be available at Rs 2,900. This is the 550th birth anniversary year of Guru Nanak Dev, ...

SC seeks Centre's reply on plea seeking entry of Muslim women into mosques to offer prayers

The Supreme Court Tuesday agreed to hear a plea seeking permission for Muslim women to enter mosques to offer prayers and asked the Centre to respond to it. A bench of justices S A Bobde and S A Nazeer told the petitioners' counsel that it would hear the matter only in view of the apex court's judgement in the Sabrimala temple case. "The only reason we may hear you is because of our judgement in the Sabarimala case. Otherwise you are not giving us satisfactory answers," the bench told the counsel appearing for petitioners Yasmeen Zuber Ahmad Peerzade and Zuber Ahmad Nazir Ahmad Peerzade. On September 28 last year, a five-judge constitution bench of the apex court, in its 4:1 verdict, had paved the way for entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, saying the ban amounted to gender discrimination. Besides the Centre, the apex court also issued notices to the Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Minority Affairs, National Commission for Women, Maharashtra State

Lankan Prez arrives at Tirumala Hills

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrived here Tuesday to offer prayers at the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara near here, a temple official said. Accompanied by his wife Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari and other family members and Lankan officials, Sirisena landed at Renigunta airport, 20 km from here, at noon. Amid tight security, he reached the hills by road, the official told PTI. The president would take part in the 'Suprabhatha' ritual (recitation of Sanskrit hymns by priests to wake the Lord) and offer prayers to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara in the early hours Wednesday, the official added.

Rahul 'aprabuddha unlimited': Krishna

Former minister for external affairs S M Krishna Tuesday called Congress president Rahul Gandhi 'aprabuddha unlimited' (unintellectual unlimited) following a rap from the Supreme Court for wrongly attributing it to the Rafale case. "When somebody acquires a reputed position, especially in the case of the Congress president whose party has a history of 125 years, the sign of intellect should have been that the views are expressed cautiously after much deliberation. It's a sign of maturity. But today what we witnessed today is unintellectual unlimited," Krishna said at a press conference here. The former Karnataka chief minister, who played a long innings in the Congress before joining the BJP, said the opposition "lacked truth and evidence" before making allegations. "Whatever the allegations are being made against the prime minister lacks truth, gravity and documentation. For example, we can see how the Congress president has incurred the wrath of Supreme Court due to ..