Page 97 - Religion Belief
Kerala HC pats government for abiding by SC verdict
The Kerala High Court on Thursday appreciated the stand of the Kerala government in upholding the Supreme Court verdict that allowed all women to pray at the Sabarimala temple.
Asia Bibi's lawyer says she should leave Pakistan amid protests
The lawyer of Christian woman Asia Bibi, who was acquitted of blasphemy charges by the Supreme Court, on Thursday said that his client should leave Pakistan for her safety amid widespread protests by radical Islamist groups, a day after her death sentence was annulled.
Protests continue in Pakistan over Asia Bibi's acquittal
Radical Islamist groups continued to protest and block highways for the second consecutive day in Pakistan on Thursday, a day after the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of Christian woman Asia Bibi, who had been convicted in 2010 of blasphemy.
Swaraj holds series of meetings with Kuwaiti leaders
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is on her maiden visit to Kuwait, on Wednesday held a series of meetings with leaders in Kuwait to strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and the Middle East country.In the morning, the External Affairs Minister called on the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and discussed positive developments in bilateral ties between the two countries. She also raised issues of concern to the Indian community.Later, Swaraj called on Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Jabar Al Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah, and discussed issues of bilateral concern and explored avenues for enhancing and further strengthening economic and investment cooperation.She also held delegation-level talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah.Swaraj was accompanied by Ambassador K Jeeva Sagar for all the meetings.On Tuesday, Swaraj had interacted with the Indian Community in Kuwait. She also ...
Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting suspect indicted on 44 counts including hate crimes
The suspect in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on 44 counts, including hate crimes and murder, for the shooting in which 11 people were gunned down, the deadliest attack on Jews in American history. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions after announcing the indictment said hatred and violence on the basis of religion can have no place in the American society. Every American has the right to attend their house of worship in safety, he said. Robert Bowers, 46, who killed 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue, faces a possible death sentence, or life without parole. These alleged crimes are incomprehensibly evil and utterly repugnant to the values of this nation. Therefore this case is not only important to the victims and their loved ones, but to the city of Pittsburgh and the entire nation, Sessions said. According to the indictment, Bowers on October 27 drove to the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, where members of the Tree of Life, Dor .
Jain monk found hanging in Bihar temple premises
A Jain monk was found hanging from the ceiling fan inside a temple premises here, police said Wednesday. The body of Vipran Sagar Maharaj (36) was found hanging from a ceiling fan in one of the rooms situated inside the Champapur Digambar Jain temple, Superintendent of Police, City, Bhagalpur, Rajvansh Singh said. He said the monk's body has been sent for post-mortem and investigations were on to ascertain whether it was a case of suicide. The monk was a resident of Damoh district in Madhya Pradesh and had arrived here about six months ago along with some other wandering ascetics, the temple's security guard Dhanraj Singh said. The security guard said he found the monk's body hanging from the ceiling fan Tuesday evening after breaking open the door of Maharaj's quarters when he did not turn up to hold discourses for his followers at the appointed time. The temple's secretary general Sunil Kumar Jain said the last rites will be performed as per tradition and the deceased
PIL in HC to allow women of all ages, religions to enter all places of worship
A public interest litigation (PIL) was moved in the Delhi High Court Wednesday, seeking a direction to ensure that women of all ages and religions were allowed to enter and pray at temples, mosques and zoroastrian fire temples, as allowed by the apex court in the case of the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala. The plea filed by a lawyer also seeks that women be ordained as "pujari", imam or priest of their respective temples, mosques or churches to lead the prayers. Advocate Sanjiv Kumar, in his petition, has sought that women of menstruating or non-menstruating age from every religion be allowed to enter and pray at all times at all the temples in India. A similar order has been sought in favour of men, where their entry into women-only temples such as Attukal, Chakkulathukavu, Santoshi Maa "Vrat", Lord Brahma, Bhagwati Maa Temple and Kamrup Kamakhya is prohibited. The petition, which according to the lawyer is yet to be listed for hearing, also seeks similar directions with regard to entry
Don't confront the State: PM Imran warns Bibi verdict protestors
Talking tough, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday told hardliners not to "confront the State" and refrain from vandalism after the Supreme Court acquitted a Christian woman sentenced to death for committing blasphemy. Prime Minister Khan addressed the nation through a video message and his address was solely focused on the Asia Bibi verdict. Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, who was on a death row for eight years for blasphemy, was acquitted by the apex court in a landmark verdict which evoked protests, death threats from hardline groups and cheers from human rights advocates. "I ask these elements (protestors) to avoid confronting the State. But if they opted to do so, the State will fulfill its responsibilities," Khan said. "We will protect life and property of people...We will not let them (protestors) involve in vandalism or close down the roads," he said, referring to protestors blocking a highway linking the capital Islamabad with garrison city of Rawalpindi. Many ...
PIL filed in Delhi HC seeking entry of women in all places of worship
After the Supreme Court's verdict on Sabarimala temple, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the Delhi High Court on Wednesday seeking orders to allow women of all ages to enter all temples, mosques, churches and pray along with men.The plea also called for opening up of 'women only' temples like the Attukal temple and Kamakhya temple.The petition also said that women should not be barred from being ordained as priests in temples, churches, and be allowed to lead prayers in mosques.On September 28, a five-member constitutional bench headed by then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had allowed the entry of women of a menstrual age (10 to 50) in Sabarimala temple.However, not a single woman could enter the shrine owing to the widespread protests across the state.
Pak court overturns blasphemy death sentence of Christian woman, sparks protests
Pakistan's Supreme Court Wednesday overturned the conviction of a Christian woman who was on death row for eight years for blasphemy, a landmark verdict that sparked nationwide protests, death threats from hardline groups and cheers from human rights advocates. Asia Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence, but has spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement. The apex court, in a three-member bench led by chief justice Saqib Nisar, issued the verdict on Wednesday morning, three weeks after they had reached the decision. The delay followed threats by blasphemy campaigners to hold protests. "Keeping in mind the evidence produced by the prosecution against the alleged blasphemy committed by the appellant, the prosecution has categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt," Nisar said. He said Bibi could walk free from jail in Sheikupura,
SC declines urgent hearing on pleas challenging verdict allowing all women into Sabarimala temple
The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined early hearing on petitions seeking review of its September 28 verdict allowing women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, and said they have been already listed for hearing. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices U U Lalit and K M Jospeh was told by a lawyer that the pleas, including the review petitions, be accorded urgent hearing. "The Sabarimala temple is opening only for 24 hours between November 5 and November 6 and we have fixed the hearing on November 13," the apex court said. When the lawyer persisted with his plea for urgent hearing, the bench said, "All you have to do is to wait for your turn." The court had said earlier that it would hear on November 13 the petitions seeking review of its September 28 verdict allowing women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple. The five-judge constitution bench headed by the then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in its 4:1 verdict, had paved the way for entry of women .
Pakistan court acquits Christian woman on death row for blasphemy; protests sparked
Pakistan's Supreme Court in a landmark verdict Wednesday overturned the conviction of a Christian woman facing execution for blasphemy, sparking protests in the Islamic nation. Asia Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence, but has spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement. Her case has been deeply divisive in Pakistan where there is strong support for the controversial blasphemy laws. The blasphemy laws were promulgated by former military dictator Ziaul Haq in 1980s. A person convicted under these laws is given death sentence. The apex court, in a three-member bench led by chief justice Saqib Nisar, issued the verdict on Wednesday morning, three weeks after they had reached a decision. The delay followed threats by blasphemy campaigners to hold protests. "Keeping in mind the evidence produced by the prosecution against the alleged blasphemy ...
Brief session of Kerala assembly from Nov 26 to Dec 13
A brief session of the Kerala Assembly would be held from November 26 to December 13. The state cabinet, which met Wednesday, recommended to Governor P Sathasivam, to covenene the assembly. The session assumes significance as it is being held after the devastating floods during the south west monsoon, which claimed 493 lives and caused widespread destruction. The state is also facing violent protests from Ayyappa devotees over the implementation of Supreme Court verdict on entry of women of all ages into Sabarimala temple.
Unity between Hindus, Muslims shouldn't be disturbed: Athawale
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale believes that it is not right to demand an ordinance for the construction Ram Temple and said that the unity between the Hindu and Muslim community should not be disturbed."My party's stand is that unity between Hindus and Muslims shouldn't be disturbed. If the decision is taken for Temple then the decision should be taken for Mosque as well. I think the demand for an ordinance that is being done is not right," Athawale said.His statement comes after Swami Chakrapani, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and a delegation of saints associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) earlier asked the Central Government to bring an ordinance in this regard.The Supreme Court had on Monday adjourned the Ayodhya title suit till January 2019 to fix the date of hearing in the matter. The top court adjourned the matter which challenged the Allahabad High Court ruling of 2010, which had ordered division of the disputed land in Ayodhya into three ...
Trump visits Pittsburgh synagogue amid protests
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited the Pittsburgh synagogue where on the weekend a gunman who has espoused anti-Semitic views online massacred 11 people, while hundreds of protesters denounced the president's seeming reluctance to frankly and clearly condemn white supremacism.
China holds World Buddhist Forum
China has held its fifth World Buddhist Forum as it seeks to reinforce links with countries where Buddhism, which originated in India, has strong influence. The forum, being held in the Chinese city of Putian attracted over 1,000 participants from 55 countries and regions, state-run China Daily reported on Tuesday. Buddhism came to China in 68 AD when the first Buddhist temple called White Horse Temple was built in Luoyang by Chinese Monk Xuanzang after a 17-year-long voyage to India. After that, Chinese Buddhist scholars Fa Xian and Xuan Zang travelled from China to Nalanda in Bihar, the seat of Buddhism, to collect the great Buddhist works. Buddhism is also well entrenched in Tibet. According to official data, China has 33,500 Buddhist temples of different schools, and 9,000 Taoist temples. There are around 222,000 Buddhist clerical personnel and over 40,000 Taoist clerical personnel, an official white paper released this year said. Addressing the forum, Wang Yang, a member of the ..
Badal asks Amarinder to tender apology to Sikh community
Shiromani Akali Dal veteran Parkash Singh Badal Tuesday asked Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to express remorse" and "apologise to the Sikh community for allegedly denigrating the Sikh gurus in the new class 12 history textbooks of the state education board. In a statement here, the five-time former chief minister said it was condemnable that Amarinder Singh has abrogated his responsibility as the head of the state and refused to lodge a criminal case against those responsible for preparation and distribution of sacrilegious material, which has assaulted the Sikhs sensibilities. The mere withdrawal of the history book which launched a brazen assault on the sacred image of the great Sikh guru sahiban, especially Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Hargobind , Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh is not enough," Badal said. "The chief minister should own responsibility for this 'bajra paap' (grave sin) and apologise to the Khalsa Panth and seek its forgiveness ...
China, UAE agree to further expand cooperation
Abu Dhabi, Oct 30 (IANS/WAM) Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan agreed with leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to further boost cooperation between the two countries during a three-day visit that concluded on Tuesday.
Don't need BJP's certificate to visit temples; I'm nationalist leader, not a Hinduwadi one: Rahul
Asserting that he does not need the BJP's "certificate" to visit temples, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday he understands the Hindu religion better than the saffron party does and he is a "nationalist leader" who respects every religion. "I am not a 'Hinduwadi' leader, but a nationalist leader. I am a leader of every religion, every caste, every language and every class," he said. A day after the BJP's barb that Gandhi was "exhibiting fancy dress Hinduism" with his temple visits in the poll-bound Madhya Pradesh and in other states earlier, the Congress leader retorted, "Are the country's temples the sole property of the BJP and the RSS? Have only Modi and Shah got the contract to visit temples?" Interacting with select journalists here, Gandhi said the BJP remains silent whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the BJP president Amit Shah visit a temple wearing clothes as per that temple's tradition. "But when Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia and I wear clothes as per the ..
Rajasthan polls: FIR against BJP minister for seeking 'votes of Hindus'
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Minister of State for Rural Development Dhan Singh Rawat for allegedly seeking votes in the name of religion and thus violating the model code of conduct in the poll-bound state.Rawat, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader while addressing a rally in the state on October 26, said: "In Rajasthan, all Hindus should vote for the BJP. If Muslims can vote en masse for the Congress, all Hindus should do so for the BJP, and help the party win with a huge majority".The assembly polls in Rajasthan will be held on December 7 and counting will take place on December 11.However, state Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said that the BJP has never sought votes on the basis of religion. "A vote has no religion. Everyone votes for a person who works for the development of the country. Our party has never sought votes on the basis of religion," Kataria said on Sunday in Jaipur.