Page 67 - Religion Belief
UK updates travel advisory to India after violent protests erupt in Kerala over Sabarimala issue
The UK government has updated its travel advisory to India, warning British citizens to remain vigilant and avoid large public gatherings, following violent protests in Kerala over the issue of women entering the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which regularly updates its advice for travel to different parts of the world, said on Friday that any British citizens planning to travel to Kerala should monitor media reports. "There have been violent protests in some towns and cities in Kerala over the issue of women accessing the Sabarimala temple. Some public services have been disrupted in the wake of clashes between police and protesters," the FCO advisory said. "If you are in Kerala or due to travel there, you should monitor media reports closely, remain vigilant and avoid large public gatherings," it noted. The rest of the travel advisory remains broadly unchanged, advising visitors to India to "avoid protests or large gatherings", follow the ..
Rajya Sabha Vice Chairman launches 'A Crusade Against Corruption' book
Vice-Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh launched Manohar Manoj's book "A Crusade against corruption" on Saturday at the Press Club of India here.
Dashavatar gave better theory of evolution than Darwin: Andhra University VC
Andhra University vice-chancellor G Nageshwar Rao has claimed that Dashavatar, which talks about ten avatars of Lord Vishnu in Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita, has a more developed theory of evolution than the one proposed by 17th century English scientist Charles Darwin. During his presentation at the 106th Indian Science Congress here, Rao said while Darwin's Theory spoke about evolution of life from a marine animal to a man, Dashavtars went a step further by showing a transformation from "Ram" to "politically nuanced" Krishna. "Dashavatras starts with 'Matsya avatar', a marine animal. Then 'Kurma avatar', an amphibian which lives in water as well as on land. The third avatar is a 'Varaha avatar' in which Vishnu becomes a boar to save the earth. The fourth avatar is 'Narismha', a half-lion and half-human. The fifth avatar is 'Vaman', the drawf, a complete human being with little maturity. "Finally comes Rama, a perfect human being and then Krishna, a more knowledgeable, logical.. he .
International Buddhist Confederation delegation meets Biplab Deb, discusses setting up of Buddhist University
Members from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) met Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Friday to discuss the opening of a Buddhist University in the state.The two-member Buddhist team consisted of IBC's secretary Ven. Khemachara Bhikkhu and principal of the Dhamma Dipa school Dr Dharmapiya, beside Sankar Roy, MLA of Sabroom, where the proposed university is likely to be set up.Speaking to the media after the meeting, Dr Dharmapiya said, "Buddhist heritage is spread over a large area across borders. It is imperative to create an institutional network by reviving the forgotten relics of religion. This is a unique initiative to unite India with the South East Asian and the ASEAN nations."He added, "Buddhism has been a common religion of these nations and that went from India. It can play a vital role in reviving the heritage and cultural linkages for sub-regional cooperation amongst countries like India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos and other nations of Southeast
Sabrimala violence: Sri Sri calls for non-violence, says traditions should be respected
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Friday called on the people of Kerala to restrain from violence and wait for the Supreme Court's decision on the review petition on Sabrimala temple row.
Rule of law can't be diluted even if matter pertains to deity: Madras HC on encroachment
The Madras High Court Friday directed the Tamil Nadu government to file details on encroachment of public lands by temples, churches and mosques, and said the rule of law cannot be diluted even if a matter pertains to a deity. Justice SM Subramaniam gave the direction on a petition filed by Ramakrishnan seeking to remove an unauthorised temple in Coimbatore. The judge directed officials including the secretaries of the Home, the Highways, the Municipal Administration and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department to file their replies by January 21. He also ordered them to submit statistics regarding all temples, churches and mosques on encroached public land, 'poramboke' (waste) lands and water bodies. "Encroachment can never be approved or allowed. Even deity as a legal person cannot commit an act of encroachment. "If a deity in a temple commits an act of encroachment, that is also to be dealt with in accordance with law.. (just) because it is a deity the rule of law ...
Women disguised as transgenders entered Sabarimala: BJP MP
BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi on Friday alleged that women disguised as transgenders entered the Sabarimala temple and said people in the name of women rights were actually transgressing. Participating in the debate on the issue during Zero Hour, Lekhi said a narrative was coming from the people, who "neither understand Hinduism nor do they know the practices of rituals". From Kamakhya to Chengallur, the goddesses are worshipped as "rajaswala" in the menstruating form, she said. "This is what Hinduism is. So, we have a space for everything and one such ritual in a small temple like Sabarimala has its own ritualistic practices." Referring to the entry of women in the Sabarimala temple on Wednesday, Lekhi attacked the Left government in Kerala, saying, "(The) government, which is refusing to maintain law and order in that state, is acting in a manner where it transports two women in an ambulance and surreptitiously takes them as a transgender." The BJP leader alleged that a certain kind of ...
Congress calls for legislative intervention on Sabrimala
Calling for legislative intervention on the Sabarimala issue, the Congress on Friday voiced its concern over the tense situation in Kerala.
Activists protest against purification ritual after women's entry into Sabarimala temple
A group of human rights activist protested outside the Parliament House complex on Friday to express their strong objection to the "purification" rituals carried out by priests at Kerala's Sabarimala temple after two women of menstruating age entered it on Wednesday. All India Democratic Women's Association, Students' Federation of India and Democratic Youth Federation of India assembled on Rafi Marg and marched towards Parliament, according to a joint statement. They were holding the protest to express their objection to the purification rituals carried out by priests at the Sabarimala temple after two women entered it, it said. The women had stepped into the temple of Lord Ayyappa, breaking a centuries-old tradition and defying threats from the Hindu right. Kanakadurga, 44, and Bindu, 42, had entered the hallowed precincts guarded by police three months after the Supreme Court's historic judgement lifting the ban on entry of girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age into the ...
Veteran Bangladesh politician Syed Ashraful Islam dies of lung cancer
Former Bangladesh minister and veteran Awami League leader Syed Ashraful Islam has died of lung cancer. Islam, who was public administration minister in the previous Sheikh Hasina Cabinet, died at a hospital in Thailand. The 68-year-old former Awami League general secretary had been suffering from advanced lung cancer. The veteran politician passed away at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok on Thursday night, his cousin Kabir Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune. His body will be brought to Dhaka on Saturday. Islam is survived by a daughter. He was undergoing treatment at the Bangkok hospital for the past few months. Islam was the eldest son of Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's close associate and national leader Syed Nazrul Islam who had served as the nation's acting president during the 1971 liberation war. Even though he was absent during Sunday's general election, Islam had won the Kishoreganj-1 seat. He had steered the Awami League when it was plunged into a crisis
Why purification ritual was held after entry of two women: TDB to Sabarimala priest
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has sought an explanation from the Tantri (chief priest) of the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala for the "purification" ritual, held after two women of menstruating age entered the hilltop shrine.The board has asked Tantri to provide an explanation within 15 days as he has the final authority on issues relating to temples, including ceremonies, rites, practices, etc.On September 28 last year, the Supreme Court has lifted ban on entry of age group between 10 to 50 years into the Lord Ayyappa shrine, the "purification" process was against the verdict of the apex court.The incident comes days after two women below 50 years, Bindu and Kanakadurga, entered the Lord Ayyappa temple to offer prayers.Following this, purification process took place in the temple and violent protests broke out across the state with agitators pelting stones and blocking national highways.Several parties including BJP also held a protest march in most parts of the state against
Sabarimala Karma Samiti to intensify protests on women's entry into Lord Ayyappa temple
Sabarimala Karma Samiti, an umbrella organisation of various pro-Hindutva groups, and the BJP decided to intensify their agitation against the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala over the women's entry into the Sabarimala temple. Alleging "mysterious link between CPI(M) and radical outfits to destroy" the traditions of the Lord Ayyappa temple, a meeting of the Samiti leaders on Thursday also sought an NIA probe into the entry of two women into Sabarimala temple with the support of a Maoist group, hurting sentiments of devotees of Lord Ayyappa. BJP leaders who met RSS leadership here said they would support the Samiti's agitation to protect faith of Lord Ayyappa devotees and removal of Pinarayi Vijayan from the state's chief ministership. Accusing Vijayan of creating tension in the state, Sabarimala Karma Samiti leader S J R Kumar said he had no right to continue as the chief minister of the state. "The Chief Minister and police took two women into Sabarimala temple with the support of
Agnivesh says BJP-RSS mounted 'surgical strike' on Kerala
: Social activist Swami Agnivesh Friday slammed the BJP-RSS for the violent protests unleashed by it in Kerala against the entry of young women into the Sabarimala Temple and said the Sangh forces had mounted a "surgical strike" on the state. He congratulated Bindhu and Kanakadurga, the women in their forties, who had offered prayers at the Ayyappa shrine on January 2 scripting history, saying that the duo had raised the banner for womens liberation and empowerment for all oppressed women in the country. The Sangh had declared war not only on state's civic life, but also on the will and democratic rights of its people, he said in a release. "Stung by the historic show of solidarity by the women of Kerala and their resolve to be treated no more as untouchables by agents of religious obscurantism, the RSS and the BJP in Kerala has gone berserk and mounted a surgical strike on the state," he said. Alleging that the violence unleashed by the Sangh forces was not an isolated
Did Sri Lankan woman pray at Sabarimala? She denies
A 47-year-old Sri Lankan woman, who is said to have prayed at the Sabarimala temple on Thursday night, said on Friday that she was denied a 'darshan' by the police.
Sabarimala row: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar calls for peace in Kerala
Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Friday condemned the violent protests at Sabarimala temple and its surrounding areas and urged all to maintain restraint.In a statement, Ravi Shankar said, "It's a pity that Kerala, a state known for progress and communal harmony is burning. I call on everyone to keep calm and restrain from the acts of violence."He further said that no action should be taken till the Supreme Court's decision on the review petition." We have to wait for the Supreme Court's decision on the review petition. When the Sabarimala matter is subjudice, no action should have been taken that would cause heartburn and turmoil in our society," he added."While Kerala has not left any stone unturned for its women empowerment, the temple traditions and sentiments of devotees should be respected," Ravi Shankar noted.This comes a day after, two women of menstruating age, Bindu and Kanakadurga, entered the Lord Ayyappa temple to offer prayers triggering protest in several ..
Ex-general secretary of Bangladesh's ruling party dies
Syed Ashraful Islam, Bangladesh's Public Administration Minister and former general secretary of the ruling Awami League, has passed away at 67 in Bangkok after a long battle with cancer.
Muslims attack Ghana church over pastor's doom prophecy
Angry young Muslims attacked a charismatic church in Ghana's capital Accra after its pastor predicted the country's chief imam would die this year, religious leaders said on Friday. Wielding clubs and machetes, they attacked a security guard at the entrance to the Glorious Word and Power Ministry church then began hurling stones at its windows and smashing up the musical instruments and furniture inside. The incident came after its celebrity pastor, Reverend Isaac Owusu-Bempah, prophesied the deaths of Muslim spiritual leader Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu and Ghana's Muslim vice president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in a New Year's Eve sermon. Sheikh Sharubutu condemned the violence and called for calm. "Ghana has gained respect in the eyes of the world because of the peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims. We're all brothers and nothing must divide us," Sheikh Sharubutu told AFP at his residence in Accra. "We must all restrain ourselves and pray for life. Ghana is all we have. .
Lankan woman enters Sabarimala temple, offers prayers; claim Kerala officials
Officials claimed a 47-year-old Sri Lankan woman prayed inside the Ayyappa temple Thursday night, as Kerala continued to witness stray incidents of violence, including hurling of crude bombs at various places, Friday over the entry of two young women at the hill shrine. Sources in the Chief Minister's Office and police confirmed that the Lankan woman did indeed enter the shrine and offered prayers. There was confusion over whether or not the woman, Sasikala, succeeded in offering prayers at the temple late Thursday night as she had claimed this morning that police had turned her away even though there were no protests from devotees. Official sources told PTI that the woman did enter the sanctum sanctorum. CCTV visuals of Sasikala's visit were also released by police later. However, it is not clear if she climbed the "padinettampadi" (holy 18 steps) to reach the sanctum sanctorum. Kannur IG Balram Kumar Upadhyay, who is in charge of the Sannidhanam (temple complex), could not be ...
Cong MP voices concern over situation in Kerala
Congress MP KK Venugopal raised the Sabarimala issue in Lok Sabha on Friday and voiced concern over the tense situation in Kerala. Speaking during the Zero Hour, Venugopal, wearing a black arm band, said incidents of violence were reported during the BJP's call of bandh and asserted that steps should be taken so that there is peace in the state. Hailing the state government's handling of the issue, CPI MP P Karunakaran said that according to the country's Constitution each and every citizen has the right to enter their respective holy place. He also claimed that several BJP MPs had hailed the apex court judgement, which allowed entry of women of all ages in the Sabarimala shrine. Speaking on the issue, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi claimed that people who don't understand Hinduism were trying to set a wrong narrative. "These people are not worshippers of Lord Ayyappa and are anti-religious," she alleged.
Sri Lankan woman denied entry to Sabarimala temple
A 46-year-old Sri Lankan woman was allegedly denied entry to the Sabarimala temple on late Thursday night.The woman had walked up the "18 Holy Steps", but was allegedly not allowed to go further. "I had observed 48-day vratham (penance) and wanted to hold prayers. I climbed 18 holy steps when I was stopped by the police. They did not allow me even to climb up the holy steps. I could not reach there (to the temple) and offer prayers," the agitated woman said."I have my medical certificates but they (police) denied me. I am a true Ayyappa devotee," she added.The incident came a day after, two women of menstruating age, Bindu and Kanakadurga, entered the Lord Ayyappa temple to offer prayers. Following this, violent protests broke out across the state with protestors pelting stones and blocking national highways.Several parties including BJP also held a protest march in several parts of the state against the entry of women into the hilltop shrine.In September last year, the Supreme Court .