Page 75 - Religion Belief
Lord Hanuman was a Muslim, claims BJP MLC
Nawab, while speaking to ANI here, said he held this belief because Muslim names are "almost similar" to those of Lord Hanuman
Shah, Adityanath to discuss Ram temple issue with Hindu religious leaders
BJP chief Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are likely to participate in a meeting of Hindu religious leaders at Rajkot, Gujarat where several issues including the Ram temple are being discussed. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and BJP's national general secretary Ram Madhav are also participating in the two-day meeting, which began at Arsh Vidya Mandir this morning. The 'Chintan Baithak' (brain-storming meet) has religious leaders associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad as participants. "Every two years, the Hindu Acharya Sabha which consists of top religious heads of various Hindu sects organises this Baithak," RSS Gujarat spokesperson Vijay Thakkar told PTI. "All religious, political and social issues are discussed," Thakkar said, without elaborating. However, sources said that Ram temple issue would figure prominently in the discussions. Gujarat BJP spokesperson Raju Dhruv confirmed that ...
NCW seeks explanation from Darul Uloom VC for 'fatwa' on women, men eating together
The National Commission of Women (NCW) has sought an explanation from Vice Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband Abul Qasim Nomani for issuing a fatwa or decree, which termed women and men eating together during public functions as 'un-Islamic.'NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma, while terming the fatwa as "derogatory and unacceptable," said in a statement: "The National Commission for Women has come across news reports captioned 'Men, women eating together at functions is un-Islamic: Darul' wherein it was reported that the Islamic seminary has issued a fatwa.""The commission takes serious note of the matter. It is derogatory, unacceptable and the NCW condemns it outright. Considering the gravity of the matter, you are hereby required to provide a satisfactory explanation to the commission on the matter by return fax or e-mail," she added.In a fatwa issued late on Tuesday night, the Darul Uloom Deoband said that the act of both women and men eating together in functions is considered a sin and .
Cong taunts PM over remark about birthplace of Tilak & Gokhale
The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Thursday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for saying that social reformers Lokmanya Tilak and Gopal Krishna Gokhale were born in Pune. Modi, who was in Pune on Tuesday to lay the foundation stone of Pune Metro phase III, said during his speech that the city was the 'janmabhoomi' (birth place) of these two leaders. Targeting the PM over his statement, MPCC spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, "Those who forget history can never create a future." Both these social reformers were born in Ratnagiri district, the Congress leader said. Tilak was born in Ratnagiri on 23 July 1856. He was one of the strongest advocates of Swaraj ("self-rule"). Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born on 9 May 1866 in Kotluk village of Guhagar taluka in Ratnagiri district. He became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1889 as a protg of social reformer Mahadev Govind Ranade.
Putin condemns creation of independent Ukraine church
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the creation of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church independent of Moscow at his annual press conference on Thursday, saying it violated religious freedoms and drove a wedge between the nations. Orthodox bishops created the new Ukrainian church at a historic synod in Kiev on Saturday, ending more than 300 years of Moscow domination. The decision was welcomed by the US and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. But Putin slammed the decision as a "blatant breach of religious freedoms". The Church's creation came after a landmark decision by Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I to recognise Ukraine's independence from the Russian Orthodox Church. The ruling in October sparked fury in Moscow, which has overseen the Ukrainian branch of Orthodoxy for the last 332 years. It led the Russian Orthodox Church to cut all ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Putin on Thursday suggested that Bartholomew's "main motive" was to ...
Mamata calls for unity to fight against divisive forces
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday called upon one and all to stay united and fight against divisive forces.
Derogatory, unacceptable: NCW over Darul fatwa on women, men eating together at public events
National Commission for Women Chairperson Rekha Sharma has sought an explanation from the vice chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband seminary over reports of a fatwa issued by the institution that termed women and men eating together at public events "un-Islamic", saying it is "derogatory and unacceptable". Sharma also lashed out at the the Deoband-based Islamic cleric for his alleged comment that "women eating or taking part in programmes in which strange men are present is not good for women and it is strongly forbidden and is a sin under the Islamic law". Taking a "serious note" of a fatwa issued in this regard, Sharma, in a letter to Darul uloom Islamic school vice chancellor Abul Qasim Nomani, said it is "derogatory, unacceptable and the NCW rejects it outright". She also sought an explanation from him on the matter. According to some news reports, the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary said it is "un-Islamic and a sin for men and women to consume food together at public events like ...
Petition filed against Basant celebrations in Lahore HC
Punjab government's decision to celebrate the Basant festival has been challenged in the Lahore High Court.The plea, by Advocate Safdar Shahin Pirzada, argues the celebrations will cost innocent lives and that the government lifted the ban on festivities in order to deflect public attention from more pressing issues, Express Tribune reported.The Punjab government on Tuesday (December 18) announced its decision to lift the ban on Basant celebrations in the state.Basant, usually celebrated in January end or the beginning of February, marks the start of the spring festival. Before the imposition of the ban in 2005, thousands of people would pour out on the streets of Lahore and elsewhere in Punjab to celebrate the occasion, the highpoint of which would be dancing and kite flying. Religious leaders argued kite-flying was un-Islamic.The petitioner also stated that celebrations were banned by the Supreme Court after revellers died of celebratory gunshots, falling off rooftops or by kite ...
'Demolition' of temples in Varanasi figures in UP legislature
Congress members staged walkout from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Thursday, alleging demolition of temples in Varanasi for the Kashi Vishwanath corridor and "throwing away" of Lord Shiva statues by the state government. In the state Legislative Council, SP member Shatrudra Prakash raised the matter alleging that 50 Shiv lingas were dismantled. As the Assembly met in the morning, Congress Legislature Party leader Ajay Kumar Lallu wanted to raise the issue which, he said, amounted to "playing with the sentiments of 125 crore 'Sanatan Dharma' followers". He alleged that in Varanasi, a number of temples were demolished in the name of Kashi Vishwanath corridor and statues of Lord Shiva were "thrown" out. He wanted a discussion on the issue, but Speaker Hriday Narain Dixit did not accept his plea. Later, demanding "pardon" from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from people on the issue, Congress members staged a walkout from the House. "The BJP government is playing with the sentiments of 125 ...
Tension in Kothamangalam as Jacobite church followers protest entry of Orthodox faction priest
Tension prevailed at Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district Thursday after followers of the Jacobite Syrian Church prevented the entry of a priest of the Orthodox Syrian Church into the Marthoma Cheriya Palli to offer holy mass. Hundreds of Jacobite church followers comprising women and priests assembled at the church and blocked the entry of Fr Thomas Paul Ramban, the appointed vicar of the Orthodox faction, who had reached the place armed with a high court order to offer holy mass. Many of the protesters were arrested but hundreds still remain on the church premises, staging a demonstration. Ramban was shifted from the area following mounting protests. Later, he returned to the church but protesters again prevented him from entering. Jacobite church head Baselios Thomas I said no one would be allowed to take over the church and its property. Ramban reached the church amid tight security two days after the Kerala High Court dismissed a petition filed by the Jacobite faction against the .
Unity in diversity is India's strength: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said that unity in diversity is India's strength, and asked people to uphold the spirit and remain united. Referring to a Sanskrit phrase found in Maha Upanishad, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', meaning, "the world is one family", the chief minister, on International Human Solidarity Day, urged everybody to stay united and fight the divisive forces. "On International Human Solidarity Day, let us pledge to uphold the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' in truest sense. Unity in diversity is India's strength," Banerjee tweeted. "We must all be united and fight against the forces which seek to divide us for selfish reasons," she added. The United Nations' (UN) International Human Solidarity Day is annually held on December 20 to celebrate unity in diversity. It also aims to remind people on the importance of solidarity in working towards eradicating poverty.
TDP will fight to provide SC status to converted Christians: Andhra CM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has assured that his government will give the status of Scheduled Castes to converted Christians.While making the promise, the Chief Minister urged the Christian community to stand with the TDP in the forthcoming elections.Naidu, who participated in Christmas celebrations organised by the state government, said, "Christmas is the day when all people share love and peace. Christian missionaries served great for education and health. We saw Mother Teresa, how she served society. Our government has spent Rs 250 crores for Christians in these four years. We will fight for giving the SC status to converted Christians and till then we will support you. I assure you to develop Guntur general hospital with six acres of additional land."Talking about the development works, the Chief Minister said that the Andhra Pradesh government will provide full economic support for the construction of churches in the state."For Christian Bhavan, we gave two
Pope rejects seasonal consumerism
Pope Francis said on Wednesday that at a time of year driven by consumerism and individualism, people ought to turn to those in need with acts of generosity and kindness.
Karan Vohra plays 'no-nonsense doctor' in TV show
Actor Karan Vohra will play Veer, who is a young and no-nonsense doctor, in the show "Krishna Chali London".
Second Chinese underground bishop steps aside: report
A second bishop from China's underground Catholic church is stepping aside and is being replaced by a government-backed clergyman, state-run media reported, amid a thaw in relations between Beijing and the Holy See. There are an estimated 10 million Catholics in China, divided between a government-run association whose clergy are chosen by the Communist Party, and the unofficial church loyal to the Vatican. An agreement struck in September on the appointment of bishops has paved the way for a rapprochement between China and the Vatican, who cut off diplomatic ties in 1951. Zhuang Jianjian, bishop of the Shantou diocese in southern China will retire and be replaced by Huang Bingzhang, deputy chairman of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, the Global Times reported. The Vatican-issued mandate was given to Huang last week by a delegation from the Holy See that met several Chinese bishops, the state-linked paper reported. "The mission now is to unite Catholics in the diocese and ..
Sabarimala: Prohibitory orders extended till December 22
Pathanamthitta Magistrate Court has extended the prohibitory orders in Sabarimala Temple till the midnight of December 22.The decision has been taken based on reports by the District Police Chief and Executive magistrates in Pamba and Sannidhanam.Prohibitory orders issued under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)prohibits assembly of more than four people in an area. The restriction is enforced when there are safety concerns.A string of protests has been witnessed in the state after the Supreme Court's verdict allowing women of all age groups to enter the Lord Ayappa shrine.Earlier on Tuesday, a group of 30 women aged between 10 and 50 years has sought permission from the Kerala chief minister to visit Sabarimala temple on December 23.The women delegation said they had sent a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking permission and security while visiting the temple, and have been told that their request has been forwarded to concerned police ...
Youth should become messengers of Bhagvad Gita: Sushma Swaraj
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said for the welfare of the world, every youngster would have to become a messenger of the holy Srimad Bhagvad Gita. Swaraj was the chief guest at the 'Vaishvik Gita Paath Karyakram' organised on the concluding day of the International Gita festival 2018 here. Speaking at the third edition of the festival, Swaraj said, for the third time, 18,000 students recited 18 'shlokas' of 18 chapters of the Gita at one place together, thus creating history again. The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said the holy Gita was the biggest philosophical text as it teaches how one should lead his/her life and also paves way for solving all problems of the world. She said every youngster must adopt in life at least two 'shlokas' of the holy book as it has the power to make the individual cultured, she said. Swaraj further said that the grand festival had put Kurukshetra on global map.
Pak's Punjab govt lifts 12-year-old ban on celebrating Basant
Pakistan's Punjab province government on Tuesday lifted a 12-year-old ban imposed on celebrating Basant, a seasonal festival celebrated by Punjabis of all faiths to mark the commencement of the spring season. Punjab Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan said the traditional festival will be celebrated in the second week of February 2019, Dawn reported. Addressing a press conference here, Chohan said a committee comprising the Punjab law minister, the provincial chief secretary, and other administrative officials, will be formed to deliberate on the modalities about how the negative aspects of the festival can be avoided and overcome. The minister said the committee would give its recommendations within a week. "This time Lahoris will surely celebrate Basant," he added. The festival was banned in Punjab in 2007 owing to deaths caused by sharply polished threads used to fly kites. However, many analysts say the festival was banned due to pressure from hardline ...
Swaraj calls upon youths to be messengers of Bhagvad Gita
Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said that every youth would have to be the messenger of Srimad Bhagvad Gita for the welfare of the world."For this, every youth would have to adopt the message of at least two 'shlokas' of the Gita in their lives every day," she said, while speaking as the chief guest at the 'Vaishvik Gita Paath Karyakram' organised in the concluding day of the International Gita Mahotsav 2018 here.She said that for the third time, 18,000 students have recited 18 'shalokas' of 18 chapters of the Gita together, thus creating history again. Not only this, 108 experts recited Srimad Bhagvad Gita Paath at Jyotisar.Union Minister Swaraj said that Srimad Bhagvad Gita is the biggest philosophical text as this is only text which shows the way of living the life and paves way for solving all problems in the world. "Each shloka in the Gita makes a person cultured," she added.She said that as the result of the efforts of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal .
30 women likely to attempt entry into Sabarimala on Dec 23
A group of 30 women aged between 10 and 50 years has sought permission from the Kerala chief minister to visit Sabarimala temple on December 23.The women delegation said they had sent a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking permission and security while visiting the temple, and have been told that their request has been forwarded to concerned police personnel.These women are devotees of Lord Ayyappa and supporters of the Supreme Court's verdict, which allowed women of menstruating age to enter the temple, stating that equality is supreme irrespective of age and gender.These women, belonging to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal, have been observing fasts and rituals for darshan of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala.Since the apex court's judgement was passed on September 28, no woman of the previously-forbidden age group has been able to enter the temple owing to widespread protests.