Page 74 - Religion Belief
11 Tamil women devotees fail to have Sabarimala darshan; protesters in custody, BJP demands probe (Roundup)
A group of 11 Tamil women devotees who wanted to have Sabarimala darshan on Sunday were forced to leave after protests turned violent and police took two dozen protesters into custody.
Denied Sabarimala darshan, 11 Tamil women devotees leave; protesters in custody
A group of 11 Tamil women devotees who wanted to perform a Sabarimala darshan on Sunday were forced to leave after protests turned violent and police took two dozen protesters into custody.
High drama at Sabarimala foothills as women, police face ire of devotees
The Sabarimala foothills here Sunday witnessed high drama as hundreds of devotees blocked paths and chased away a group of 11 women of menstruating age being escorted to the hill shrine by the police. Though the police team tried to arrest and remove a few of the devotees who blocked the traditional forest path and take the women members of Chennai-based outfit 'Maniti', hundreds of pilgrims rushed down to the valley to chase them away. They could barely move 100 metres through the traditional path towards the temple, which is about five km away from here. The women and the police had to virtually run from the scene to the safety of a nearby guardroom, abandoning the trekking plan, after being booed by protesters. Defying prohibitory orders, hundreds of devotees thronged the forest path here blocking the way of the women, who reached in the early hours from Chennai. Police tried to remove the protesters by force as they were not ready to budge despite their repeated announcements to ..
Women devotees accuse police of not providing protection to trek to Sabarimala temple
A group of women devotees, who in the wee hours of Sunday reached Pamba base camp to trek to Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, have claimed that the state police are not providing them with protection to trek to the hill shrine.One of the devotees Selvi told ANI, "We are here since 3.30 am. Police have said that they will provide us with protection but now they are not providing us with protection to trek to the temple."Terming it unfortunate, another devotee said that people were not allowing women devotees to visit and take the blessings of Lord Ayyappa, adding that the women devotees have no intention to violate any law and order situation, but they need to be protected by the police.However, the police at Pamba detained Lord Ayyappa devotees who were protesting against the entry of women devotees of menstrual age (10 to 50 years) to Sabarimala Temple.Earlier in the day, Lord Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha staged protests outside ...
11 women prepare for Sabarimala darshan amid protests
With the annual Mandala Puja just days away, protests again broke out in the temple town here in Kerala on Sunday as 11 women from the hitherto banned age group of 10 to 50 years, reached Pamba, to trek uphill and pay obeisance at the Lord Ayyappa shrine.
Sabarimala: Women delegation arrives in Pamba, security tightened
In a bid to enter the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala, a group of women of menstrual age on Sunday morning reached Pamba base camp to trek to the hilltop shrine amid heightened security arrangements.Earlier in the day, Lord Ayyappa devotees staged protests outside Kottayam Railway Station and other nearby areas of the temple to oppose the entry of these women into the Sabarimala Temple.Keeping law and order situation in mind, the Pathanamthitta district magistrate has extended prohibitory orders till December 27. The order 144 prohibits unlawful gathering and protest between Elavungal and Sannidhanam.The decision has been taken on the basis of reports from the district police chief, executive magistrates and considering the former incidents at the time of Chithra atta festival and monthly pooja in the holy shrine.Furthermore, Kerala's Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said a three-member committee has been constituted by the Kerala High Court, including two judges, to observe the ..
11 women try to trek Sabarimala; tension prevails in Pamba
Tension prevailed at Pamba, the foothills of the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Kerala, on Sunday morning as a group of 11 women, below the age of 50 years, tried to trek the hilltop shrine, even as devotees protested against the move. Though they attempted to trek through the traditional forest path, about five kilometres from the temple complex, they could not go forward as devotees started 'namajapa' (chanting of hymns of the lord) protest against them. The women, members of the Chennai-based "Manithi" outfit, are now squatting on the road. Police have thrown a security ring around them. Women, in the age group of 10-50 years, are traditionally barred from entering the Sabarimala temple. But the Supreme Court, through its September 28 landmark verdict, lifted the curb and permitted women of all age groups to offer prayers at the temple. "We will continue the protest till we can visit the temple and offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa. Police asked us to go back, citing security reasons. But we ..
Naseeruddin's remarks amount to degrading country's pride: Ramdev
Actor Naseeruddin Shah's remarks on religious violence prompted yoga guru Ramdev to say on Saturday that such accusations amounted to degrading the country's pride.
Ukraine's leader orders Orthodox Church to change its name
Ukraine's president has signed a bill that orders the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to change its name to reflect its ties to Moscow. The Ukrainian church has been part of the Russian Orthodox Church for centuries, but some Ukrainian orthodox clerics, with government support, have moved to set up a separate independent Orthodox church in Ukraine. The move comes amid Ukraine's disputes with Moscow after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Saturday signed the bill ordering the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to explicitly indicate its link to the Moscow Patriarchate in its name. He says that would make it easier for Orthodox believers to choose between the new independent church or an Orthodox church still tied to Moscow. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has strongly protested the bill, calling it unconstitutional.
Pak High Commissioner places Chaddar at Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah
Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, presented the traditional Chaddar at the Dargah Sharif her on Friday on the eve of the 715th annual Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia.The High Commissioner was received at the shrine by Sajjadah Nasheen Dewan Tahir Nizami and other members of the Dargah Committee.After placing the Chaddar, Mahmood offered dua while Nizami did the dastaarbandi (traditional turban) on the occasion.The High Commissioner also visited the Dargah of Hazrat Amir Khusro (RA) and offered dua.Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia was the third Spiritual Successor (Khalifa) of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA). He is known for his love for humanity as a means of realizing love with the Creator. His followers are spread across South Asia, including Pakistan.The Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, a 14th century Sufi saint of the Chishtia Order and one of the most famous in the world, is celebrated every year with traditional zeal and fervor, and is attended by devotees and ...
Uddhav to address gathering of religious leaders at Pandharpur
In an apparent bid to buttress his image as a Hindutva mascot, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will address a congregation of religious leaders in the temple town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra on December 24, a party leader said Friday. With the catch-phrase "Vithunamacha Jaijaikar, Pahele Mandir, Phir Sarkar" (praise lord Vitthal, first (Ram) temple, then Government), the Sena has asked all its 227 Shakhas (local offices) in Mumbai and its units elsewhere to mobilise crowds for the rally, a party leader said. It is part of the Sena's strategy to promote Thackeray as a true Hindutva leader, he added. "At least 30,000 Sena supporters from Mumbai are expected to attend the rally on December 24. Another one lakh supporters are expected to reach from rest of the state," the Sena source said. Thackeray had last month visited Varanasi and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, and addressed a 'Dharma Sabha' of religious leaders in Ayodhya.
Priest of Orthodox Syrian church shifted to hospital
: Amid the continuing stand off between two church factions,a priest of the Orthodox Syrian Church,who was prevented by Jacobite Church followers from entering a church in Kothamangalam, was Friday shifted to a hospital by police after his health condition deteriorated. Fr Thomas Paul Ramban,the appointed vicar of the Orthodox faction, who had reached the place Thursday, armed with a high court order to offer holy mass, continued to remain in his car till this afternoon, insisting that he be allowed to enter the Church to do his duties. Insisting that he had no health issues, Fr Ramban however, decided to go to hospital on the suggestion by police and the Ernakulam district administration. Tension has been prevailing at Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district since Thursday after Jacobite Syrian Church followers prevented the entry of the priest of the Orthodox Syrian Church into the 'Marthoma Cheriya Palli' to offer holy mass. Hundreds of Jacobite church followers, ...
Bhagwat, Shah, Hindu saints discuss way forward in Ram temple issue
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, BJP president Amit Shah and Hindu saints Friday discussed ways to go ahead with the construction of a temple at the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya, religious leaders who participated in the meeting said. Bhagwat and saints present at the two-day Hindu Acharya Sabha meeting at Rajkot, which is 210 km from Ahmedabad, explicitly expressed the view that construction of the temple should start before May 2019, when the term of the Narendra Modi government ends, they said. In the meeting, Shah gave the assurance that the temple will be built in Ayodhya, the Hindu leaders said. "The issue was discussed in detail. One way is the legal route... Political leaders are doing their bit. Saints said they want to push for construction of Ram temple as early as possible," Acharya Satgiri Maharaj, who took part in the meeting which concluded on Friday, said. "I hope they will do something in two-three months," said Satgiri Maharaj, who hails from Jodhpur
Telangana govt committed to welfare of Christians: CM
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Friday said his government was committed to the welfare of Christian community in the state and assured to sort out issues raised by it. Hosting a dinner in the run-up to Christmas here, the TRS chief said Telangana was the only state to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as a state festival. "I am proud to say and share with all of you that Telangana is the only one and state in the country where Christmas is celebrated as a state festival. You have faced certain issues in the past. I will soon call the elders of the Christian community to sort out pending issues. We will construct a Christian Bhavan soon," he said. Rao claimed that Telangana was the only state which spent about Rs 2000 crore for minority welfare as against Rs 4000 crore being spent by the Centre for the whole country.
'Ayodhya Parv' in Delhi next month
With the Ram temple issue at the political centre stage, BJP MP from Faizabad Lallu Singh is organising a three-day "Ayodhya Parv" in the national capital next month with seers associated with the temple movement. Faizabad was recently renamed Ayodhya by the Uttar Pradesh government. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate an exhibition on January 4, the event's inaugural day, and several other top party leaders are expected to attend the "Ayodhya Parv", Singh said. The festival's purpose, he said, is to inform people about the religious and cultural facets of the holy town and how it should develop in the future. Singh claimed that it has no direct link with the ongoing demand by Hindutva groups to bring a law to construct the Ram temple in Ayodhya. "People currently know of Ayodhya in a limited way. We want to introduce them its broader cultural and religious significance," the BJP MP told PTI. Mahant Nritya Gopal ji Das, Avdheshanand Giri ji Mahara, two .
No religion greater than other, creator is one: Abdullah
Expressing concern over the prevailing atmosphere of "fear and hatred" in the country, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Friday said no religion was greater than the other. Abdullah, while speaking at a programme here, said people must strive to build a country where all religions were equally revered. "No religion is greater than the other. When I look into your eyes, I see my God, when you look into my eyes, you see your God. Because there is no difference. The creator is the same," the veteran politician said at the 11th edition of 'World Confluence of Humanity, Power and Spirituality' here. The National Conference (NC) leader urged people to understand and respect people of other communities. "Have we been able to build that India where we can survive together in happiness? No. We have created an India where there is fear and hatred... Please love each other and understand each other's pains," he said. Observing that no one cared about ...
Pope vows Church will 'never again' ignore abuse accusations
Pope Francis vowed Friday that the Catholic Church will never again treat abuse allegations without "seriousness and promptness", calling on abusers to hand themselves in to police. "The Church will never seek to hush up or not take seriously any case," the pope said in his annual address to the Church's governing Curia at the Vatican. "Let it be clear that before these abominations the Church will spare no effort to do all that is necessary to bring to justice whosoever has committed such crimes". A litany of child sexual abuse scandals has rocked the Roman Catholic Church, which has 1.3 billion followers around the world, with the pope as recently as Wednesday accepting the resignation of a US auxiliary bishop over his "misconduct" with a minor. "It is undeniable that some in the past, out of irresponsibility, disbelief, lack of training, inexperience, or spiritual and human short-sightedness, treated many cases without the seriousness and promptness that was due. "That must never ..
Indonesian Muslims protest China's detention of Uighurs
Several hundred protesters chanted "God is Great" and "Get out, communist!" outside China's embassy in the Indonesian capital on Friday, demanding an end to mass detentions of Uighur Muslims. The white-robed protesters, almost outnumbered by police, waved banners emblazoned with "Muslims unite to free Uighurs" and flags bearing the Islamic declaration of faith. Protest organiser Slamet Ma'arif told the crowd that included members of the Islamic Defenders Front vigilante group that their Muslim brothers were "suffering oppression, torture and cruelty by the Chinese communist government." Ma'arif, chairman of a conservative alliance behind the mass protests against Jakarta's minority Christian and ethnic Chinese governor in 2016, said Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, should expel China's ambassador. "Save the Uighur community and give them freedom to worship as Muslims," he said. "We also call on the Indonesian government to provide real action to help Uighurs like ...
Now, UP religious affairs minister claims Lord Hanuman was a Jat
The debate over Lord Hanuman continued on Friday, with an Uttar Pradesh minister claiming that the Hindu deity belonged to the Jat community. "Jats are descendants of Lord Hanuman. Hanumanji was a Jat," Uttar Pradesh Religious Affairs Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary told PTI. His remarks follow those of his party colleague and MLC Bukkal Nawab, who on Thursday said Lord Hanuman was "actually a Muslim". Last month, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had claimed that the monkey god was a Dalit. Explaining the rationale behind his statement, Chaudhary said, "Lord Ram's wife, goddess Sita, was abducted by Ravan, but Lanka was burnt by Hanumanji. It's injustice being done to someone by someone and the third person does not know either of them. This is the nature of Jats...they intervene whenever any injustice is done to anybody." This is the latest in a series of identities that have been attributed to Lord Hanuman. On Thursday, Nawab, who left the Samajwadi Party to join the ...
Lord Hanuman was a Muslim, claims BJP MLC
The political slugfest over Lord Hanuman's religion got a new twist when state Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Bukkal Nawab on Thursday claimed that the deity was a Muslim.Speaking to ANI, Nawab claimed that Muslim names are "almost similar" to those of Lord Hanuman."I believe that Lord Hanuman was a Muslim. That is why the names of the people in Islam is almost similar to Lord Hanuman, whether it is Rehman, Ramzan, Farman, Zeeshan and Qurban. Such types of names are found in Islam only," said Nawab.He further claimed that these names were derived from Lord Hanuman; had he not been there these names would not have existed.During campaigning for recently concluded Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a poll rally in Alwar had said that Lord Hanuman was a Dalit."Hanuman was a forest dweller, deprived and a Dalit. Bajrang Bali worked to connect all Indian communities together, from north to south and east to ..