Page 80 - Religion Belief
Hindu devotees sow holy seeds in Nepal's Pashupatinath temple in memory of departed souls
Thousands of Hindu devotees from across Nepal have thronged in the iconic Pashupatinath temple area from early morning on Thursday to observe the Bala Chaturdashi festival to honour their deceased family members. The festival is the 14th day after the full moon and falls every year in late November or early December. The day is marked in honour of the deceased members of the family where devotees scatter seven different kinds of seeds. In Pashupatinath temple, the devotees observed penance the whole night from Wednesday last night and took holy dips next morning before sowing the seeds. The holy seeds of paddy, maize, wheat, barley and others are sown at Kailash, Gaurighat, Aryaghat, and Guheswori of Pashupati area, and Panchase, Galeshwor and Lord Shiva's shrines across the country. As per the Hindu mythology, one's ancestors will rest in heaven if such seeds are sown in the shrines of the Lord Shiva after lighting the lamps in their memory on the night of Marga Krishna ...
Useless, critical Catholic bishops should be killed: Duterte
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has launched yet another verbal attack against Catholic bishops, calling them useless and saying they should be killed, according to the transcription of one of his speeches released by the presidential office on Thursday.
Congress 'completely rattled' by Michel's extradition; sends lawyers to defend him: BJP
The Congress was "completely rattled" by the extradition of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal, and sent its team of lawyers to defend him, the BJP alleged on Thursday. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Youth Congress leader Aljo K Joseph appeared for Michel in court on Wednesday and the Congress later went through the "charade" of removing him. "The Congress party is completely rattled after the extradition of Christian Michel They know the reason. They had sent their team to defend him," Patra said at a press conference. The Congress expelled Joseph after his appearance in court. In a statement, the Youth Congress said Joseph represented Michel in his personal capacity and did not consult the party before appearing in the case. Michel, the alleged middleman in the politically-sensitive Rs 3,600-crore UPA era deal, was brought to India from Dubai Tuesday night following his extradition.
800k to 2 million religious minorities detained in Chinese internment camps: US
An estimated 800,000 to 2 million religious minorities are currently being detained in internment camps in China, the Trump administration has told lawmakers, who have expressed serious concerns over the massive human rights violations in the Communist nation's Xinjiang province. The situation in resource-rich Xinjiang has been restive as the native Muslim Uighurs have been resisting increasing settlements of majority Han Chinese from other provinces. China appears to have set up a series of secret internment camps used to lock up hundreds of thousands of ethnic Chinese Muslims, whose existence has long been denied by authorities. At a Congressional hearing, Scott Busby, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State at the Bureau of the Human Right Democracy and Labour, alleged that Beijing was supporting similar repressive moves by other authoritarian regimes across the globe. "The US government assesses that since April 2017, Chinese authorities have indefinitely detained at least 800,000, ...
Ram 'bhakts' will construct temple in Ayodhya when they get more powerful: Anil Vij
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said that the Ram 'bhakts' (devotees) will construct Ram temple in Ayodhya when they become more powerful as "Mughal emperor Babur demolished Ram temple when he was powerful.""When Babur was powerful, he demolished Ram temple and built a mosque there. He didn't do this in accordance with any law. When Ram 'bhakts' became powerful, they demolished the mosque. Half of the work was done that day. The rest of the work will be done when they become more powerful," Vij tweeted.The Babri Masjid, built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1528 in Ayodhya was on December 6, 1992, pulled down allegedly by a group of Hindu activists, who claimed that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Ram temple.On October 29, the Supreme Court had adjourned the hearing in Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit till January 2019 to fix the next hearing date in the matter, challenging the Allahabad High Court ruling of 2010.The Allahabad High Court in its 2010 ...
Swamy backs VHP observing Babri Demolition Anniversary
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday asserted that there is nothing wrong with the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) observing the anniversary of demolition of Babri mosque, while adding that the same must be done peacefully.Speaking to ANI on 26th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri mosque, Swamy said, "Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has a right to observe the day as they have led the movement. Babri Masjid was an eyesore for everybody. After all, there was a temple and it is Ram Janamabhoomi. Babar comes here and his commander breaks the temple and builds a mosque on top of it. So many people have been protesting. Maybe 4000-5000 people have been killed. If VHP wants to observe the day, its fine but it should be peaceful."The VHP will be observe a 'Shaurya Diwas' today, days after it organised a Dharam Sabha in Ayodhya on November 25 to seek support for construction of a grand Ram temple.Also on December 18, the VHP will celebrate Gita Jayanti. This day ...
Congress expels Aljo after controversy over representing Michel
The Congress party on Wednesday fired lawyer Aljo K. Joseph from its legal cell after a controversy erupted over Joseph representing AgustaWestland chopper deal middleman Christian Michel James.
Committee for rebuilding Babri Masjid says will accept SC decision
A committee for rebuilding the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya held a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Wednesday and said it will accept the decision of the Supreme Court on the dispute. Mohammad Younus Siddiqui, president of All India Babri Masjid Rebuilding Committee, alleged that Muslims are being pitted against Hindus but, he added, in reality they want peace and communal harmony. Siddiqui said they have submitted a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind on the issue. "We find a binding and time-bound decision, and whatever the decision of the apex court, will be accepted by all sections of the Muslim community," Siddiqui said. "We are a peace-loving community and we are being portrayed in the wrong light by fringe groups. It is important to understand that we will respect the decision of the apex court," he said. Chanting slogans of peace and harmony, the protesters said they want a time-bound decision on the matter.
Controversy erupts over Congress connection of Michel's counsel
A controversy erupted on Wednesday after a Congress activist appeared as a counsel for British national Christian Michel in a CBI court in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case.
Pak issues visas to over 220 Indian pilgrims
The Pakistan High Commission Wednesday said it has issued visas to over 220 Indian pilgrims to participate in the 310th birth anniversary celebrations of religious leader Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Sukkur in Pakistan's Sindh province from December 5-16. Under the framework of a bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year. Shadaram Sahib, who was born in Lahore in 1708, had laid the foundation of Shadani Darbar tirth, a 300-year-old temple, in Pitafi area of Sindh. "The Pakistan High Commission has issued visas to over 220 Hindu pilgrims from India to participate in the 310th birthday celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Sukkur, from December 5-16," a release from the High Commission said. Devotees from across the world visit the temple every year. "The issuance of pilgrimage visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan's efforts for promoting visits to religious shrines and ...
'Respect SC in Babri issue, stay away from rumours'
Urging everyone to respect the Supreme Court regarding Ayodhya's Babri Masjid case, a section of Muslim leaders on Wednesday alleged that the issue was "being used for politics" and cautioned people to stay away from rumours and be on guard against attempts to divide Hindus and Muslims.
Mumbai BJP man claims Michel's counsel is Youth Cong leader
A Mumbai BJP unit's spokesperson claimed Wednesday that the lawyer for Christian Michel, the alleged middleman chargesheeted in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, is a Youth Congress functionary. Suresh Nakhua made the sensational claim in a tweet, saying Aljo K Joseph, the counsel for the accused in the AgustaWestland case, belongs to the Youth Congress. "BOOM.....Any guesses who is lawyer for Christian Michel ?Mr @Aljokjoseph , National incharge, legal department, Indian youth congress (Youth wing of Cong led by #OutonBail @rahulgandhi )" Nakhua tweeted. He told PTI that Joseph's Twitter profile has many photos of him with senior Congress leaders such as Kapil Sibal and Ahmed Patel and his designation in the Congress is also freely available (on social media). Asked about the issue, Joseph said his relations with the Congress were separate, and his profession was separate. He said he was only discharging his duties as a lawyer which has nothing to do with the ...
Priests of Hanuman temples in Muzaffarnagar seek police protection
Police personnel were deployed outside a Hanuman temple in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district Wednesday as priests of the area sought protection after a group of Dalit activists entered the shrine and started performing rituals. The activists had offered prayers at the temple on Tuesday, a week after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath triggered a row by calling Lord Hanuman a Dalit. The group went into the temple, where one of them assumed the role of a priest and started performing rituals, police said. They had also put up a banner of 'Dalit Hanuman Mandir, Hanuman Chowk, Muzaffarnagar' in front of the temple, they said. Priests of different Hanuman temples in the area have sought police protection after the incident. They also lodged a complaint at Kotwali police station. SHO Anil Kumar Kapervan said they were looking into the complaint. Addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Alwar district, the chief minister had said, "Lord Hanuman was a forest dweller, deprived and a Dalit. 'Bajrang .
Ker Min against using children as 'shield' in Sabarimala stir
Cautioning against using children as 'shield' during agitations including the recent Sabarimala stir, Kerala Social Justice Minister K K Shylaja Wednesday said the state government would have to take action against such practices. The minister told the state Assembly that causing difficulties to children by engaging them in protests was against the Juvenile Justice Act and amounted to violation of Protection of Child Rights Act. "Children were being used as shields in several agitations including in the recent Sabarimala stir. The government cannot permit the use of children as shields and we have to take action against such practices," she said. The minister, however noted that a large number of children were coming to Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple with their parents as part of the pilgrimage. "There is nothing wrong in bringing children as part of faith in the hill shrine," she said. Shylaja was replying to a question by Murali Perunnelly (CPI-M) regarding the ...
Einstein's 'God letter' fetches $2.9m
A handwritten letter by Albert Einstein in which he grapples with the concept of religion has sold for nearly $2.9 million smashing predictions.
SP Tyagi fumes on being asked about Christian Michel's extradition
Hours after Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600 crore Agusta Westland chopper deal, was extradited to India, another accused in the case- former Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi-refused to comment on the development and in turn lashed out at the media for confronting him.Speaking to media on Wednesday, a fuming Tyagi stated, "Who are you to ask me such a question? You can't disturb me like this. Please be respectful while asking such questions."Tyagi along with his brother was granted bail on September 12 in the AgustaWestland case. Besides the Tyagis, the court had also granted bail to another accused on the same day. The court had granted them bail on a bond of Rs.1 lakh each and the same amount as surety.Christian Michel, arrived in New Delhi in the wee hours of Wednesday after being extradited to India from Dubai. Michel, who is presently at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters, is likely to be produced before a competent court later today. ...
South African-Indian Muslims open first prayer facility in national game reserve
The first Muslim prayer facility in a national game reserve in South Africa has been officially opened after concerted efforts over several years by a local Indian group to convince the authorities of its necessity. "This project was facilitated by the (Indian members of the) South African National Parks Honorary Rangers Johannesburg South (SHR), who within a very short space of time, raised the funds required for the development," Glenn Phillips, Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park, said. The Kruger National Park is the largest national park in South Africa and is visited by more than a million local and international tourists each year. Phillips recalled how in the apartheid era there were only a few small huts reserved for the Indian community in the world-renowned game reserve. He also highlighted how, despite access to all facilities at the park for all communities since the advent of a democratic order under President Nelson Mandela in 1994, the Muslim community still
AgustaWestland deal 'middleman' Christian Michel arrives in New Delhi
Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the Rs 3600 crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal, arrived in New Delhi in the wee hours of Wednesday after being extradited to India from Dubai.Michel, who is presently at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters, is likely to be produced before a competent court on Wednesday. Furthermore, the CBI is likely to ask the court for extended custody of Michel for the purpose of investigation.On Tuesday, the CBI had issued a statement saying: "Wanted fugitive criminal Christian Michel James who has been avoiding criminal proceedings in India in AgustaWestland Case is being extradited by UAE Authorities to India. Under the guidance of Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor (NSA), the entire operation is being coordinated by Incharge Director/CBI M. Nageswara Rao. A team lead by A. Sai Manohar, Joint Director/CBI has been to Dubai for the purpose."According to the CBI, Wolfgang Max Richard Michel, father of Christian, was also a ...
Sushma Swaraj, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince review pace of bilateral relations
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday during her ongoing two-day visit to the country from December 3 to December 4.Both the leaders expressed their satisfaction at the pace of bilateral relations between the nations in a range of areas, attesting to the comprehensive strategic partnership shared by India-UAE. Earlier today, the EAM co-chaired the 12th Joint Commission Meeting with Foreign Minister of UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan where two documents were signed."Special relations with UAE. EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on Crown Prince of #AbuDhabi, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Both expressed satisfaction at the pace of our bilateral relations in a range of areas, attesting to our comprehensive strategic partnership," the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, tweeted.The EAM is further scheduled to interact with the Indian diaspora in the UAE capital today, ..
Kerala HC-appointed committee hails facilities provided at Sabarimala Temple
A three-member monitoring committee appointed by the Kerala High Court visited the Sabarimala Temple on Tuesday and expressed satisfaction over the facilities provided for devotees.The committee was appointed to ensure smooth pilgrimage to the Temple after numerous complaints about lack of facilities in the hill pilgrimage were reported. The members of the committee include retired Justice PR Raman, Justice S.Sirijagan and ADGP Hemachandran, who will assess and submit suggestions to ensure the needs of the devotees are fulfilled.While Justice Raman expressed satisfaction over the facilities extended, ADGP Hemachandran said, "There is a widespread misconception due to propaganda driven news. I urge the media to refrain from propaganda driven news and report facts."The Sabarimala temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests recently over the Supreme Court's September 28 order that lifted the ban on the entry of women between the age group of 10 to 50 years inside the Lord