Page 30 - Religion Belief
Facing EC's gag order, Yogi visits Hanuman temple, offers prayers
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the famous Hanuman Setu temple here and offered prayers Tuesday, a day after the Election Commission barred him from electioneering for 72 hours for likening the ongoing Lok Sabha polls to a contest between 'Ali' and 'Bajrang Bali'. The chief minister who arrived in the temple to a rousing reception by his supporters amid slogans of "Jai Gorakhdham" and "Jai Bajrangbali ji" refused to take questions from the mediapersons, following the poll panel's gag order. He spent about 25 minutes at the temple and was seen bowing before the deity and sitting with folded hands to recite "Hanuman Chalisa." Though he accepted greetings from the large numbers of morning worshippers present there on a Tuesday, the day dedicated to Lord Hanuman, with a smile, he refrained from interacting with them. Owing to the poll panel's gag order, the chief minister also stayed away from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's road show Tuesday before he filed the ..
Tumkur's Durga temple: where politics and religion regularly meet
The Hethenahalli Adishakthi Maramma temple holds a special place in the hearts of its many devotees who consider it sacrilegious to break a promise made in its premises -- a vulnerability that politicians have used to extract votes in exchange for cash, say locals. The 13th century Durga temple, where politics and religion regularly meet, even served as a "guarantee" for candidates allegedly involved in the "note-for-votes" scam in the 2018 Karnataka Assembly election. According to locals in this high profile constituency from where JD(S) chief and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda is contesting the Lok Sabha election, nominees of various political parties offered Rs 2,000 per family to vote for them in 2018. Voters were also given a picture of Durga, along with the money, on which they were asked to swear that they would vote for a particular candidate, residents said. In the 2018 Assembly polls, parties exploited people's faith by bringing them to the temple and making them take .
Small fire at flashpoint Jerusalem holy site
A small fire broke out at a guard's booth in the courtyard at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem but was extinguished and the site remains open, authorities said Tuesday. The blaze broke out on Monday evening around the same time as Paris's Notre-Dame cathedral burned. The fire was "quickly extinguished", Israeli police said, adding the cause was being investigated. The Waqf religious organisation which oversees the site said the fire burned a guard's room above what is known as the Marwani prayer room. It said the fire was caused by youths playing with fire, without providing further details. The Jerusalem compound is holy to both Muslims and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount. It is considered the third-holiest site in Islam and the holiest in Judaism.
Pune couple happy after SC notice to Centre on Muslim women's entry into mosques
A Pune-based couple, who petitioned the Supreme Court on allowing Muslim women to enter mosques, on Tuesday said they were happy at the apex court's decision to hear the plea. A bench headed by Justice S A Bobde issued notice to the Centre on Tuesday and asked it to respond to the plea filed by the Pune-based couple -- Zuber and Yasmeen Peerzade. Speaking to PTI, Zuber said, "It all started four years ago. We had given an application to a mosque in our locality seeking permission to allow women inside as we wanted to raise awareness among Muslim women about various issues." The mosque, however, declined the request stating that women were not allowed inside mosques. "From that moment, we started checking what the religion says (about this) and found that there is nothing in it which bars the entry of women inside a mosque to offer prayers," Zuber (48), a real estate dealer, said. After being turned down by several mosques, they decided to knock on the doors of the Supreme Court, Zuber
SC issues notice on plea seeking entry of women into mosques
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Centre, National Commission for Women (NCW), Central Waqf Council, and All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on a plea seeking entry of women into mosques in order to offer prayers.The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice SA Bobde and comprising Justice S Abdul Naseer admitted the plea of a Pune-based Muslim couple asking to lift the prohibition on entry of Muslim women into mosques.The apex court said, "the only reason we may hear you is because of our judgment in Sabarimala temple".On September 28 last year, the Supreme Court had lifted the ban on the entry of women aged between 10 and 50 years into the premises of Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, Kerala.The petition filed before the top court also sought direction to declare the prohibition on entry of Muslim women into mosques in the country as "illegal and unconstitutional" because it violates the fundamental rights of women.During the hearing, the court asked the ...
Tumkur temple assumes key role in poll season
The Hethenahalli Adishakthi Maramma temple is again in discussion in this high-profile constituency, from where JD(S) chief and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda is contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, as the shrine served as a "guarantee" for the candidates who had indulged in the "note-for-votes" scam in the 2018 Karnataka Assembly election. Regarded as one of the most sacred temples in the region, people consider it almost blasphemous taking a false oath here. According to the locals, nominees of various political parties had offered Rs 2,000 per family to vote for them in 2018, but the voters were also given a picture of goddess Durga, along with the money, on which they were asked to swear that they would vote for a particular candidate. Many people in this village, located at a distance of nine kilometres from Tumkur city, are expecting a repeat of the 2018 story in the general election. "The temple was built in 1235 and it is famous for curing small pox. Those with ...
Yogi visits Hanuman Temple after EC imposes campaign ban on him
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday visited the Hanuman Setu Temple here and offered prayers, a day after the Election Commission imposed a nationwide campaign ban on him for 72 hours for his "provocative" communal remarks. Adityanath took part in 'puja' and after spending about 20 minutes in the temple, he left without taking any question from the media. The Election Commission on Monday imposed a nationwide campaign ban on Adityanath for 72 hours for his speech at a rally in Meerut, where he compared the Lok Sabha elections to a contest between 'Ali', a revered figure in Islam, and 'Bajrang Bali', a name for Hindu god Hanuman. Following the EC orders, the chief minister will also not participate in the road show of Home Minister Rajnath Singh who will file his nomination papers Tuesday.
Pope Francis stands with France over Notre-Dame fire: Vatican
Pope Francis stands with France and is praying for Roman Catholics and Parisians alike after a devastating fire raged through the iconic Notre-Dame cathedral in the heart of the city," the Vatican said Tuesday. "The pope is close to France, he is praying for French Catholics and for the people of Paris in face of the terrible fire which has ravaged Notre-Dame cathedral," the head of the Vatican press office Alessandro Gisotti wrote on Twitter. "He offers his prayers to those trying to face up to this dramatic situation," he added.
SC issues notice to Centre on plea seeking entry of Muslim women into mosques to offer prayers
The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a petition seeking permission for Muslim women to enter mosques to offer prayers. A bench headed by Justice S A Bobde issued notice to the Centre and asked it to respond to the plea filed by a Pune-based couple. The bench told the counsel appearing for the petitioners that it will hear the matter because of the apex court's judgment in the Sabarimala temple case. "The only reason we may hear you is because of our judgment in the Sabarimala temple case," it said. On September 28 last year, a five-judge constitution bench headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, 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. In the current petition, the couple has sought the apex court's direction to declare as "illegal" and "unconstitutional" the practice of prohibiting the entry of Muslim women into mosques to offer prayers. Referring to ...
EC cracks whip, bars Yogi, Mayawati, Azam, Maneka
After Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Election Commission (EC) on Monday barred Union Minister Maneka Gandhi and Samajwadi Party leader Mohammed Azam Khan from campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections for 48 houres and 72 hours, respectively.
After Yogi, Mayawati, EC bans Azam, Maneka from campaigning
The Election Commission Monday barred SP leader Azam Khan and Union minister Maneka Gandhi for 72 hours and 48 hours respectively for their controversial remarks. Khan was under the poll panel's lens for making derogatory remarks against BJP candidate from Rampur, Jaya Prada, while Gandhi had told Muslims to vote for her as they will need her once the Lok Sabha elections are over. Earlier in the day, the EC had barred UP chief minister Adityanath for 72 hours and BSP leader Mayawati for 48 hours for their religious comments.
Goa Church expresses regret over priest's 'hate speech'
The influential Catholic Church in Goa on Monday expressed regret over a recent hate speech by a Catholic priest criticising the BJP, party's national President Amit Shah and late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, which went viral and is being investigated by election authorities.
Declare public holiday on Good Friday in two UTs: HC
Observing that Good Friday was commemorated by all communities and Easter eggs and chocolates enjoyed by all, the Bombay High Court Monday directed that the day be declared as an official public holiday in the Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. A bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice N M Jamdar directed the administration of the two Union Territories (UTs) to declare Friday, April 19, a public holiday. The administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu had earlier issued a notification marking Good Friday as an optional holiday at government offices. The Christian community from the UTs approached the HC earlier this month with a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the notification. Their counsel Harish Jagtiani argued that while the Christian population in these UTs accounted for just 2 per cent of the total population, the "principles of secularism" mandated that one consider the "sentiments of the minority ..
Adityanath didn't provoke religious sentiments, he only took name of God: UP BJP chief
Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey came out in support of Yogi Adityanath, who has censured by the EC for his communal remarks, saying the chief minister only took the name of God. The statement came hours after the Election Commission "strongly condemned" Adityanath and BSP supremo Mayawati for their communal remarks and barred them from campaigning for 72 and 48 hours respectively. In a statement issued here, Pandey said, "The BJP is a disciplined political party and we respect the decision of the Election Commission. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath did not in any way provoke religious sentiments, nor did he make any statement which could spread communal unrest. He only took the name of God." "On the other hand, BSP supremo Mayawati and SP leader Azam Khan are seeking votes in the name of religion and also trying to spread communal unrest. "Azam Khan resorted to use of vulgar and undignified language, and hence action should be initiated against Azam Khan and .
Adityanath, Mayawati censured, barred from campaigning for 72, 48 hrs respectively
The Election Commission on Monday "strongly condemned" Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BSP supremo Mayawati for their communal remarks and barred them from campaigning for different periods. While Adityanath was barred for 72 hours, Mayawati has been barred for 48 hours, separate EC orders said. The two have also been "censured". Mayawati was issued the notice for her speech in Deoband appealing to Muslims to not vote for a particular party. The BSP chief had prima facie violated the model code of conduct, the poll panel found. Adityanath was served the notice for his "Ali" and "Bajrang Bali" remarks while addressing a rally in Meerut. He compared the Lok Sabha elections to a contest between 'Ali', a revered figure in Islam, and Bajrang Bali, the Hindu god Hanuman.
Dubai Gurudwara to hold daily iftar during Ramadan
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) only Sikh temple will host iftar for workers throughout the upcoming month of Ramadan, the chairman of the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara said.
This shows BJP's arrogance: Mayawati hits out at Maneka, Adityanath
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Monday hit out at BJP leaders Maneka Gandhi and Yogi Adityanath over their recent comments and said this "anti-people attitude" of the BJP needs to be defeated in the Lok Sabha elections."After Union Minister Maneka Gandhi threatened the voters, now the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has given an open warning of 'living unemployed for the lifetime' on being shown black flags and banners during his meetings. This is not only BJP's arrogance but it is an anti-people attitude which needs to be defeated in the elections," she tweeted in Hindi.Despite having received a notice by the Election Commission for making speeches which allegedly violated the Model Code of Conduct, Adityanath on Sunday said: "Those who did not recognise Shri Ram and Shri Krishna are now coming to the shelter of Bajrang Bali. Even Mayawati is showing faith in Bajrang Bali now."On April 12, Maneka had said that her win from the Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency is certain ...
TDP files complaint over shifting of EVMs in Andhra Pradesh's Nuzvid
TDP candidate for the Nuzvid Assembly seat M Venkateswara Rao Sunday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, saying polling equipment have been shifted from strong room without any intimation. He said the equipment were from the Nuzvid Asembly segment and were stored in the strong room at Machilipatnam Krishna University campus after polling was held on April 11. Election authorities, however, said the equipment that have been shifted were either not used on the election day or defective. "114 VVPATs, 104 ballot units and 102 control units that were unused in the election or defective have been shifted from the Krishna University campus to the EVM godown," Returning Officer Swapnil P Dinakar told PTI. He added that the unused equipment were stored in a separate room and not along with those used for polling. "We have not touched the sealed strong rooms," he said.
Adityanath takes dig at Mayawati's 'Bajrang Bali' remark
In an apparent dig at BSP supremo Mayawati, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Sunday said those who did not have faith in Lord Ram and Lord Krishna were now taking refuge in 'Bajrang Bali'. Mayawati had on Saturday said her party wanted both Ali and Bajrang Bali -- particularly Bajrang Bali -- as the deity was "linked with my own Dalit caste". "Those who did not have faith in Shri Ram and Shri Krishna have now come to the refuge of Bajrang Bali," Adityanath said. He also paid homage to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. Hitting out at the Congress, the priest-turned-politician said the party had done politics on the basis of religion and caste in the country. "The BJP government led by Narendra Modi, on the other hand, has always worked on the policy of development of all. It gave a befitting reply to terrorism, Naxalism and separatism," Adityanath said. "Whether it was China's conspiracy in Doklam or terrorism funded by Pakistan, the Modi government has ..
Goa CEO orders probe into priest's viral speech
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Goa has ordered a probe into a viral video, in which a Catholic priest is seen slandering the BJP as an anti-minority party and saying that the late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar suffered from pancreatic cancer as a wrath of God.