Religious Tolerance

Siripanyo gives up $5 bn empire, India has history of riches-to-monks

After adopting the ascetic life, such people relinquish all material possessions, even cut ties with family

Govt will not tolerate any unrest in name of religion: Tripura CM Saha

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also discussed the improvement in law and order and the state's commitment to fostering unity among its diverse communities

Bahraich violence: SC to hear plea against demolition notices by UP govt

The Supreme Court agreed to hear on Wednesday a plea filed by three accused in the Bahraich communal violence incident against demolition notices issued by the Uttar Pradesh government. Senior advocate C U Singh, appearing for the petitioners, mentioned the matter before a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan seeking urgent hearing. "This is an application by three persons who are recipients of demolition notices. The state government has given only three days to respond to the notices," Singh told the bench. Singh submitted that petitioner No.1's father and brothers have surrendered and notices were purportedly issued on October 17 and pasted on 18th evening. "We sought hearing on Sunday, but that did not happen," he added. Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the court that the Allahabad High Court is seized of the matter and has given 15 days' time to respond to the notice. The bench then said, "If they (UP govt)

Bahraich violence: 26 other riot suspects held, total 87 arrests so far

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday continued its crackdown over communal violence in Maharajganj here as it held 26 more suspected rioters, taking the total number of arrests to 87, according to officials. Tight security arrangements were in place for Friday prayers at all mosques across the district, the officials said. By the evening, activity and movement resumed at all markets of the district, except in Maharajganj, which was the epicentre of the violence earlier this week. Ram Gopal Mishra (22) died of gunshot injuries after an inter-faith dispute over loud music being played outside a place of worship in Maharajganj on Sunday. The incident triggered communal violence, leading to arson and vandalism in the area and internet suspension for four days, during which people largely remained indoors. "With today's arrests, a total of 87 people from both communities have been detained so far. By Thursday night, police had arrested 61 individuals, including six accused in the killing

IMC announces protest at Delhi's Ramlila Ground for remarks on Prophet

Amid the ongoing controversy around priest Yati Narsinghanand's remarks against Prophet Muhammad, Ittehad-e-Millat Council president Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan has said that a big demonstration will be held at Delhi's Ramlila Ground. Khan said "people like Narsinghanand are insulting the Prophet but no action is being taken against him". "After the Dussehra fair, the whole country will come out on the streets of Delhi and there will be a huge demonstration at Ramlila Maidan. Not only people from Bareilly but from the entire country will participate in it," Khan told reporters on Monday night after the 24th foundation day of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC). "Now there will be a big movement instead of dharna or memorandum against the current situation of the country," he added. Khan accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of working only for Sanatan Dharma, while the people of other religions are being discriminated against. He said that derogatory comments are being made against th

Certain section considers it their right to disrespect Hindu deities: UP CM

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said a certain section of society considers it their right to make derogatory remarks against Hindu deities and break idols, and warned that those indulged in such activities will be dealt with strictly. He also said while non-violence is the ultimate dharma, violence is justified if necessary to protect the nation, religion and the innocent, according to an official statement. Adityanath made the remarks during his speech at the Durga Puja celebrations at Bharat Sevashram Sangh, Sigra in Varanasi. He also said that in West Bengal, where the ritual of worshipping the goddess originates, Sanatan Dharma today appears "helpless and insecure". "Hinduism does not seek the destruction of anyone. Instead, it teaches 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah' (non-violence is the highest virtue)...while non-violence is the ultimate dharma, violence is justified if necessary to protect the nation, religion, and the innocent," Adityanath said, according to

BJP stoking communal tensions in Goa; attempts will not be tolerated: Rahul

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the BJP of deliberately stoking communal tensions in Goa and asserted that the ruling party's attempts will not go unchallenged as the people of the state and the whole of India "see through this divisive agenda". In a post on X, Gandhi said Goa's appeal lies in its natural beauty and the warmth and hospitality of its diverse and harmonious people. "Unfortunately, under BJP rule, this harmony is under attack. The BJP is deliberately stoking communal tensions, with a former RSS leader provoking Christians and Sangh organisations calling for an economic boycott of Muslims," the former Congress chief said. Across India, similar actions by the Sangh Parivar continue with impunity, backed by support from the highest levels, he alleged. "In Goa, the BJP's strategy is clear: divide the people while exploiting ecologically sensitive areas by illegally converting green land and bypassing environmental regulations - an assa

One more case filed against Narsinghanand over inflammatory remarks

The Thane police in Maharashtra have registered an FIR against controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand, who is already facing multiple cases, over his alleged objectionable remarks against Prophet Muhammad, officials said on Sunday. The seer allegedly made the objectionable remarks during a programme held at Hindi Bhavan in Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) on September 29, as per the police. Based on complaint by the president of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the Mumbra police in Thane registered a case against him on October 3. The FIR has been loaged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 197 (imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 302 (intentionally uttering words to deliberately wound the religious sentimen

USCIRF flags 'increasing abuses' against religious minorities in India

A US federal government commission has flagged the alleged worsening of religious freedom in India and called for it to be designated as a "Country of Particular Concern". Authored by senior policy analyst Sema Hasan, the section on India describes the use of misinformation and disinformation -- including hate speech by government officials -- to incite violent attacks against religious minorities and their places of worship, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said in a statement. In its annual report, the USCIRF also recommended that the US Department of State designate India as a "Country of Particular Concern" for engaging in systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom. The state department has so far refrained from accepting the recommendations. "This report highlights how, throughout 2024, individuals have been killed, beaten, and lynched by vigilante groups, religious leaders have been arbitrarily arrested, and homes and place

CSDS survey: Ram temple boosts Hindu identity, strong backing for pluralism

While 77 per cent of Hindus expressed faith in religious pluralism, an even higher percentage of Muslims (87 per cent) and other minority groups (81 per cent) shared this view

Case booked over portrayal of Hindu Gods in Pondy varsity cultural event

A case has been registered in connection with a play staged at the annual cultural festival of Pondicherry Central University here recently, in which Hindu gods were allegedly depicted in an objectionable manner, police said on Tuesday. The Kalapet police registered the case against those who staged the play, including the Director and Script Writer following protests by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) against it on the campus on March 30. The Pondicherry University has initiated an inquiry into the incident. "The University has received a complaint against a play staged by the Department of Performing Arts of the University, the University sources said. It also added that an enquiry committee was being constituted to look into the matter. The Registrar In charge of the University has appealed to all those concerned to cooperate with the administration to maintain peace on the campus. Meanwhile, the ABVP has condemned what it termed as "distorted and disrespectful"

Kerala CM cautions against concerted efforts creating rift among religions

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday cautioned against concerted efforts to create a rift among religions and religious beliefs in the country. Instead of nurturing harmony, cooperation and coexistence between religions, such forces are consciously trying to create division between them, the CM said. He was speaking during the 75th birthday celebrations of Theodosius Marthoma Metropolitan, head of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church, here. "Today, there are deliberate attempts by people with vested interests to create enmity between various religions and religious beliefs," Vijayan said. Without naming any particular political party, outfit or individual, he further charged that some forces were capable enough to create a rift even among those who should stand united and create confusion in the society about whom or what should be opposed. In such situations, a humanitarian approach and interventions being made by personalities like Marthoma Metropolitan within the church

Gyanvapi management moves HC on ruling to allow 'puja' in mosque's basement

The Gyanvapi management committee moved the Allahabad High Court on Thursday challenging a Varanasi court order that has allowed Hindu prayers before idols in a cellar of the mosque. The counsel for the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, S F A Naqvi, said they have requested an urgent hearing in the matter. The mosque committee moved the high court within hours of the Supreme Court refusing to hear its plea against the Varanasi district court's order and asking it to approach the Allahabad High Court. In the appeal filed before the high court, it has been pleaded that the Hindu side's suit itself is barred by order 7 rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code, Naqvi said. The plea has also alleged that the main purpose behind filing the suit was to create a controversy over the functional Gyanvapi mosque where regular namaz is offered. A caveat was also filed by the Hindu side regarding the matter. The Varanasi court ruled on Wednesday that a Hindu priest can perform prayers before the

Inauguration of Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi milestone for tolerance: UAE Amb

The inauguration of the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi next month will be a monumental day to "celebrate tolerance and acceptance", the Ambassador of the UAE to India Abdulnasser Alshaali said on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the temple on February 14. "We are looking forward to the inauguration on February 14 it's going to be a phenomenal monumental day, a special occasion to celebrate tolerance, acceptance, and to further strengthen this relationship," Ambassador Alshaali told PTI. Last month, Swami Ishwarcharandas and Swami Brahmaviharidas extended the invitation on behalf of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir, and it has been accepted by PM Modi. The ambassador has also confirmed the grand diaspora gathering scheduled at the Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on February 13. The event is titled 'Ahlan Modi,' which translates to 'Hello Modi'. According to the UN's International Migration 2020 re

Over 140 people killed in Nigeria amid rising ethnic, religious tensions

Amnesty International Nigeria's office told The Associated Press that it has so far confirmed 140 deaths in the Christian-dominated Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of Plateau

Priyanka Gandhi urges citizens to avoid voting on religious lines

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday targeted the ruling BJP saying the issue of religion is raked up during the elections, and urged people to avoid giving their votes on religious lines. She was addressing a public meeting in favour of Congress candidate Deepak Joshi in Khategaon of Dewas district. "People say that Madhya Pradesh is a laboratory of RSSWhenever elections come, the issue of religion is raked up...Everybody's feelings are associated with religion irrespective of one's faiths. Will you not open your eyes when religion is being used and votes are sought?" she asked the attendees. "The biggest political objective is that you (people) should be served, there should be progress, the country should be strong," she said. But people are being made to fight among themselves on religious lines for the sake of politics, Gandhi Vadra alleged. Instead of voting on religious lines, people should seek the account of work from the leaders, she added. "The ...

To promote peace, necessary to understand importance of tolerance: Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said it is necessary to understand the importance of tolerance and respect for each other to promote peace and harmony in the society. Addressing an interfaith meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, she said religion holds an important place in the lives of people. Religious beliefs and practices provide us with relief, hope and strength in adverse circumstances, she said. Prayer and meditation help humans experience inner peace and emotional stability, she said, adding that fundamental spiritual values ??like peace, love, purity and truth "make our lives meaningful". "Religious practices devoid of these values ??cannot benefit us. To promote peace and harmony in the society, it is necessary to understand the importance of tolerance, respect for each other and harmony," the president was quoted as having said in a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Murmu said every human soul deserves affection and respect. "Recognising self, living

BJP fires fresh salvo at Opposition over 'Sanatan Dharma' remark row

The BJP on Tuesday accused the INDIA bloc of having a hidden agenda to attack Sanatan Dharma for its vote bank politics as it questioned the "silence" of opposition leaders amid frequent critical remarks by DMK leaders about the ancient faith. Firing a fresh salvo at the opposition over the issue, BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad targeted the Congress leadership saying the longer Sonia Gandhi maintains silence over the matter the more it will be clear that opposing Sanatan Dharma is part of the INDIA bloc's common minimum programme. Prasad seized on a recent comment by a DMK leader that it is the bloc's agenda to oppose Sanatan Dharma, and said what the Tamil Nadu leader has said is right. "The BJP will urge this alliance to come out with a categorical resolution that we completely disassociate ourselves (from DMK's criticism) and this is not our agenda," he said at a press conference. With the DMK linking Sanatan Dharma with the practice of caste ...

Russia, India, China, among others target faith community members: US

A senior US official on Monday said far too many governments, including Russia, India, China and Saudi Arabia, continue to freely target faith community members, as the state department released its Congressional-mandatory annual report on international religious freedom that documents the status of religious freedom in countries across the world. "Far too many governments continue to freely target faith community members within their borders," Rashad Hussain, Ambassador at Large, Office of International Religious Freedom, told reporters at a news conference here soon after the annual 2022 "Report on International Religious Freedom" was released by Secretary of State Tony Blinken. The report provides a fact-based, comprehensive view of the state of religious freedom in nearly 200 countries and territories around the world, Blinken said, noting that it aims to highlight areas where freedom of religion or belief is being repressed to promote accountability and ultimately, drive progres

The shadow of Xi Jinping, misinformation and hurt religious sentiments

This past week there was also a review of a book on the Big Bull Rakesh Jhunjhunwala