Page 87 - Religion Belief
39-year-old supporter of Sabarimala verdict's house attacked
The house of a 39-year-old teacher Aparna, who advocated the entry of women of all ages into Sabarimala Temple, was attacked by some unidentified persons on Wednesday late night in Kerala's Kozhikode city.Aparna, a cancer survivor openly, is known for openly supporting a few young women who expressed their willingness to climb up to Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.At the time of the attack, Aparna and her 13-year-old daughter were alone in the house. Attackers pelted stones at the house and left window panes broken.On October 27, an ashram in Kerala, founded by preacher Sandeepananda Giri, who also supported the apex court verdict allowing the entry of women of menstruating age to the Sabarimala temple, was allegedly attacked by some unidentified persons. Two cars and a scooter belonging to the Ashram were also set ablaze by the assailants.The Sabarimala Temple and its surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests in October over the Supreme Court's decision to quash restrictions
Congress never opposed Ram temple, even Muslims want it now: Raj Babbar
Congress leader Raj Babbar said on Thursday his party was never opposed to the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and he now felt that even the Muslim community wanted it. The decision on the vexed issue, however, will be taken by the Supreme Court, he told reporters ahead of the November 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls. The Uttar Pradesh Congress chief said the BJP rakes up the temple issue during every election. "BJP has never had any great passion for Lord Ram. Whenever there is election, the BJP starts seeking votes in Ram's name," Babbar said. "People have begun to realise that BJP is deceiving voters on the issue of Ram temple. It promises to build the temple but will not tell the date," he said. To a question, he said, "Congress has never opposed construction of Ram temple and will never do so in future as well." "Everybody wants construction of Lord Ram's temple. I feel that now Muslims also want that temple should be constructed. But since the case is still pending in the
Guru Nanak's life teaches loves, harmony: President
President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday greeted the nation on the eve of Guru Nanak's birthday, saying the life of the founder of Sikhism "teaches us love and harmony".
Religious beliefs shouldn't be ignored: Mahila Cong chief
: Describing Sabarimala as a 'sensitive' issue, President of the All India Mahila Congress Sushmita Dev Thursday said religious beliefs and customs should not be ignored. There were two views on the Supreme Court order permitting women of all ages to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, Dev, who is also an AICC spokesperson, told reporters here. "Sabarimala is a very sensitive issue and when the judgement was passed by the Supreme Court, I was on record welcoming the judgement but there are clearly two views on Sabarimala," she said. "One is of course the view of the honourable Supreme Court... and no one in this country will deny there is another view that exists among the people of Kerala and followers of Sabarimala temple that cannot be ignored," the Mahila Congress leader said replying to a question on the situation in Kerala. She said both views have to be respected adding there were also personal and religious beliefs and religious customs or ...
3-day break in Odisha assembly session
The ongoing winter session of Odisha assembly is observing a three-day break since Wednesday because of various festivals. The winter session, which commenced on November 16, had a holiday on Wednesday for Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Mohammad, assembly sources said. The state would also celebrate Kartik Purnima or Rasa Purnima on Friday, the full moon day of the auspicious Hindu month of Kartik. In between the two major festivals, Thursday has also been declared a holiday, the sources said. At daybreak on Kartik Purnima, people across coastal Odisha visit water bodies to set afloat toy boats with lamps, betel leaves, crackers fruits and coins. On Friday, people would also celebrate Boito Bandana or Boat Festival in the form of a mass commemoration of the maritime glory of the people of Odisha. The festival also marks the end of a month-long abstinence from non-vegetarian food for most Odias and the beginning of the famous Bali Jatra on the banks of river ...
VHP demands removal of Rajbhar from UP cabinet
Upset over SBSP leader Om Prakash Rajbhar's remark that seers of Ayodhya were raking up the Ram temple issue for their "livelihood", the VHP on Thursday demanded removal of the minister from the UP cabinet. The temple will be constructed and hurdles like Rajbhar will be taken care by 'Ram bhakts' like Hanuman, said Sharad Sharma, media in-charge of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). "The indecent and demeaning comments on seers and on the construction of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi temple will not be tolerated at all. He is stabbing the Yogi government while being a part of it and therefore, he should be sacked," he said in a statement. Rajbhar, who heads the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) - an ally of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh - said saints and seers rake up the Ram temple issue as it is linked to their livelihood. "There is no other means of income for the saints as they are neither involved in agriculture nor any other work and so rake up the temple issue as this is the means of their .
Go-ahead for Kartarpur corridor to ring in Nanak's 550th birth anniversary
The Union Cabinet on Thursday decided to develop a Kartarpur Corridor from Gurdaspur in Punjab to the international border to facilitate pilgrims' passage to Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara in Pakistan as part of the 550th birth year celebrations of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, next year.
Polish nun who rescued Jews during Holocaust dies at 110
Officials in Poland say that a 110-year-old woman believed to be the world's oldest nun and a rescuer of Jews during the Holocaust, has died. Father Pawel Rytel-Andrianik, spokesman for Poland's Roman Catholic Church, on Thursday confirmed the death of Sister Cecylia Roszak last week at a Dominican convent in Krakow. He described her as "probably the oldest nun in the world" and someone remembered as saying that "life is so short and passes so quickly." Born March 25, 1908, Roszak joined the convent at age 21. During the German occupation of Poland during World War II, when she was in her 30s, she was one of several nuns who set up a new convent near Vilnius, today in Lithuania, sheltering Jews who had escaped the ghetto there.
'Save our Sister' convenor prohibited from protesting
Father Augustine Vattoly, convener of the 'Save our Sisters' campaign, has been allegedly prohibited by the church authorities from holding anti-church protests on November 14.The 'Save our Sisters' campaign was started in September to mount pressure on the authorities to take action against the Bishop of Jalandhar, who allegedly raped a Kerala-based nun.The letter, dated November 11, Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly wrote, "I am told such actions by a priest will seriously injure the good of the Church in public and will cause scandal among the faithful.""Therefore, I strongly prohibit you from organising and attending the said Dharna and similar activities. Disobedience will incur ecclesiastical actions as per norms of Church law," it added.An explanation was also sought from Father Vattoly for his association with, what the letter stated, anti-ecclesiastical, extremist, and atheist groups.The note further mentioned that the public expression and priestly prayer life of ...
S.Korean pastor jailed for raping followers
A South Korean pastor was sentenced on Thursday to 15 years in jail for raping eight female followers of his mega church.
S Korean cult leader jailed for raping followers
A South Korean cult leader was convicted Thursday of the multiple rape of eight female followers -- some of whom believed he was God -- and jailed for 15 years. Pastor Lee Jaerock's victims were "unable to resist as they were subject to the accused's absolute religious authority", judge Chung Moon-sung told the Seoul Central District Court. Religious devotion is widespread in technologically advanced South Korea, with 44 percent of people identifying themselves as believers. Most belong to mainstream churches, which can accumulate wealth and influence with tens of thousands of followers donating as much as 10 percent of their income. But fringe groups are also widespread -- experts say around 60 people in the country claim to be divine -- and some have been implicated in fraud, brainwashing, coercion, and other behaviour associated with cults worldwide. Lee set up the Manmin Central Church in Guro, once a poor area of Seoul, with just 12 followers in 1982. It has now grown to 130,000 .
UP dy CM questions Cong president's religious credentials
Uttar Pardesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma Wednesday called Rahul Gandhi a "fake janeu dhari", claiming that the Congress president observed incorrect rituals while performing an "aarti" at Somnath Temple. "By performing aarti with his left hand in Somnath temple, Rahul proved that he is a fake Janeau-holder," Sharma said. Sharma made the remarks, while addressing a public gathering here. 'Janeu' is a sacred thread worn by devout Hindus across their shoulders. Sharma had visited the Ram-Janki college located at Shivali in Kanpur Dehat. He also inaugurated a people's cooperation centre established by the BJP MLA Pratibha Shukla.
Finns held in Malaysia over 'Christian pamphlets'
Four Finns have been arrested on a holiday island in Muslim-majority Malaysia for allegedly distributing pamphlets about Christianity, police said Wednesday, and may face up to five years in jail. Religion is a deeply sensitive issue in Malaysia, where more than 60 percent of the populaton is Muslim, and critics say rising conservatism has chipped away at a traditionally tolerant brand of Islam in recent years. Authorities detained the two men and two women on Tuesday after receiving complaints from members of the public that they were handing out Christian materials on the popular resort island of Langkawi, said local police chief Mohamad Iqbal Ibrahim. "Police have arrested four Finnish nationals in Langkawi for allegedly distributing religious material in a public place," he told AFP. "They were distributing pamphlets related to Christianity." The Finns, aged between 27 and 60, were arrested at a hotel and police seized pens, notebooks and a bag. They are accused of breaking laws ..
72 pilgrims arrested in Sabarimala last week get bail
Seventy two pilgrims, who were arrested last week near the Sabarimala temple for defying prohibitory orders, got bail here on Wednesday.
Kerala HC orders state govt to explain imposition of Section 144 in Sabarimala Temple
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday sought an explanation from the state government for imposing Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal and Elavungal during the ongoing controversy surrounding the Sabarimala Temple.The court directed the state government to explain in detail how Section 144 is being implemented, who are the people coming under its purview and how do the police differentiate between devotees and protesters.The court was considering a group of petitions questioning the police control imposed in Sabarimala.On Monday, 69 people were arrested after they allegedly violated Section 144 (unlawful assembly) imposed in the vicinity of the Temple.A string of protests has been witnessed in the state since the Temple opened for the first time following the top court order on September 28 allowing women of all age groups to enter the Lord Ayappa shrine.This is the third time that the Temple doors have opened since the apex court lifted the .
RSS is like Taliban, Khalistan terrorists, says CPI(M)
Holding the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) responsible for the stand-off on entry of menstruating women in the Sabarimala Temple, Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) politburo member S. Ramachandran Pillai on Wednesday equated it with "Taliban and Khalistan terrorist"."They (RSS) are behaving like Taliban and Khalistan terrorists. Why are they trying to create trouble in Sabarimala? They should allow everything to be peaceful, they are not doing it," Pillai told ANI.Pillai made the statement defending remarks passed by the party's Kerala State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who had also likened the RSS with terror outfit. Balakrishnan had accused the RSS of trying to take over Lord Ayyappa temple just the way the Khalistan terrorists had laid siege on the Golden Temple."Terrorists do not have any belief. RSS is a terror outfit, they are terrorists. They are doing the same thing in Kerala as the Khalistan terrorists did in the Golden Temple. Had they followed rituals and ...
West Bengal CM greets people on Milad-un-Nabi
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday greeted people on Milad-un-Nabi, saying the spirit of love and service to humanity, as preached by Prophet Mohammad, should fill "our lives with joy and happiness". Milan-in-Nabi commemorates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad which is observed in the third month of the Islamic calendar. "My best wishes and heartiest greetings to all on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of the Holy Prophet. May the spirit of love and service to humanity, tolerance and universal brotherhood, which the Holy Prophet preached, kindle our lives with joy and happiness, Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle this morning.
Kovind, Modi greet nation on Milad-un-Nabi
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted the country on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Mohammed.
Vice Prez, PM greet people on Milad-un-Nabi
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday greeted people on Milad-un-Nabi, saying Prophet Mohammad showed humanity thepath of universal brotherhood. Prophet Mohammad showed humanity the righteous path of compassion and universal brotherhood, Naidu wrote on Twitter. The prime minister said on the birthday of Prophet Mohammed, people remember hisnoble teachings. " ... pray that there is harmony, brotherhood and peace all around," he tweeted.
Linking Urdu to Muslims and Islam is wrong: Former CEC
Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi Tuesday said Urdu language does not belong to any religion and linking it to Muslim community was wrong as people irrespective of different religions speak it. In his address at the seventh convocation of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) here, Quraishi said, "Urdu is linked to Muslims and Islam... this is very wrong.. Urdu language is born in India. Urdu has grown in India.. it does not belong to any religion... people from different religions follow it... we have to remember this." Noting that India was the most diverse country in the world, he said, "we have had a secular atmosphere over the past 5,000 years. India is secular because Hindus are secular." On the educational status of the Muslim community, Quraishi said it was very strangethat the community which had given utmost focus to education now has more number of illiterates. Expressing concern over the educational backwardness in Muslims, he ...