Page 21 - Religion Belief
Lawyer files complaint against Yechury for linking Hinduism
: A lawyer lodged a complaint with police here Sunday against CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury over his alleged comments at Bhopal on May 3, linking Hinduism with violence. K Karuna Sagar, in his complaint, accused the CPI(M) leader of making offensive remarks on the Hindu sacred texts the 'Ramayana' and 'Mahabharata' and hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus. Sagar, who is also associated with a local organisation 'Hindu Sanghatan', said he came through Yechury's comments in a portal while browsing a the internet on Saturday. "Many kings and principalities have fought battles in the country. Even the Ramayana and Mahabharata are also filled with instances of violence," the CPI(M) leader had said in Bhopal on Friday. Sagar in his complaint said Yechury insulted and annoyed Hindus with his derogatory remarks. He said the Hindu epics and scriptures promote noble values like victory of good over evil, universal brotherhood and non-violence Yechury's fraudulent .
Sri Lanka Catholics celebrate Mass via TV amid new warnings
Sri Lankan Catholics celebrated Sunday Mass in their homes for a second week as churches remain closed after reports of possible fresh attacks by Islamic extremists. Cardinal Malcom Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, offered a televised Mass from his residence that was attended mostly by priests and nuns. A letter from Pope Francis addressed to him was read out at the end of the service in which the pontiff said he prayed that "hearts hardened by hatred may yield to His will for peace and reconciliation among all his children." At St. Anthony's Shrine in Colombo, one of the sites targeted by Easter suicide bombings that killed 257 people, a Mass was celebrated for a small group of children and youth as a means for inner healing. Almost all churches remained closed with armed soldiers and police guarding them. Authorities canceled Sunday services after reports emerged that a Catholic church and lay institution could be targeted this weekend. Catholic schools have also been closed ...
Shared meals and torch-lit parades: Indonesia Muslims welcome Ramadan
From cleaning up relatives' graves and sharing food with the poor to holding colourful torch-lit street parades, millions of Indonesians are getting ready to welcome the holy month of Ramadan in the world's populous Muslim-majority country. Ramadan begins on Monday, with devotees fasting from dawn to dusk until Eid celebrations marking the end of the holy month. In the conservative province of Aceh, Muslim families break their fast by eating meat together and sharing the meal with the poor, in a centuries-old tradition known as Meugang. As customers lined up in wait, butchers in the western province were busy at work, chopping bones and slicing meat. "It's a tradition that we must follow, I'll cook rendang and eat with my family," Ramla, who like many Indonesians has only one name, told AFP, referring to a popular beef stew. In the capital Jakarta, thousands of Muslims marked the holy month by visiting cemeteries to clean up their relatives' graves and pray for the departed so they ...
Washington: Activists, politicians voice concern over human rights violations in Pak's Sindh
Human Rights activists and politicians have shown concern over the growing state-run violations of human rights in Sindh and other provinces of Pakistan at a seminar here on Saturday.The event titled 'Rights, Security and Development in Sindh: Realities for Pakistan's Southern Province' was organised by the World Sindhi Congress.A panel of speakers including Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Michael Kugelman, the Deputy Director of the Asia Program and Senior Associate for South Asia at the Wilson Centre and T Kumar, former International Advocacy Director Amnesty International USA, highlighted the persecution of Sindhi political activists in the hands of state and non-state actors in Pakistan.The speakers deliberated on issues of US-Pakistan relationship, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Human Rights in Sindh and Sindh's key geopolitical role.Lakhu Luhana, Secretary General of World Sindhi Congress said, "The overwhelming message of the seminar was that Pakistan is a security state, ...
Ramdev lodges complaint against Yechury for linking Hinduism with violence
Yoga guru Ramdev on Saturday lodged a complaint against CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in Haridwar for allegedly linking Hinduism with violence. In his complaint, Ramdev said by linking Hinduism with violence, Yechury has hurt Hindu sentiments all over the country, SSP Haridwar Janmaijai Khanduri told PTI on phone. "It is an attempt by Yechury to defame the religion which must be condemned," Ramdev said. An FIR was registered in the case, the SSP said, adding that officials concerned were asked to look into the matter. Referring to claims by BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that Hindus cannot indulge in violence, Yechury had Friday said Hindu mythological books like the Ramayana and Mahabharata were replete with instances of violence. "It is a fallacy to say that Hindus cannot engage in violence," Yechury had said.
Ramdev files complaint against Yechury
Yoga guru Ramdev, along with other seers, on Saturday filed a complaint with SSP Haridwar against CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury for his statement that epics Ramayana and Mahabharata are also filled with instances of violence and battles."We have filed a complaint against Yechury who has insulted our ancestors. This is an offence. He should be put behind the bars. We have demanded a strict investigation into the matter," Ramdev told reporters here.On Thursday, Yechury attacked the BJP for fragmenting society for votes through its divisive policies, branding religious epics Ramayana and Mahabharata as specimens of Hindu violence."Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur said that Hindus don't believe in violence. Many kings and principalities have fought battles in the country. Even the Ramayana and Mahabharata are also filled with instances of violence. Being a 'pracharak', you narrate the epics but still claim Hindus can't be violent? What is the logic behind saying there is a religion ...
Muslim edu group chief receives death threat over ban on face-covering attire
The chief of a Muslim educational group in Kerala, which recently barred its students from covering their faces with any attire on campuses, has received death threat, police said Saturday. Muslim Educational Society (MES) president P A Fazal Gafoor lodged a complaint alleging that an unidentified caller had threatened him with dire consequences if he did not withdraw the circular asking students not to attend classes wearing face-covering attire. A Kozhikode-based progressive group, MES runs 150 educational establishments, including schools and professional colleges. "The threat call was received from an international number, suspected to be from the Gulf. According the complaint, the caller used threatening and demeaning words against Gafoor, a police official told PTI. A case is yet to be registered but investigation is already on to trace the caller, the police added. In the internal circular on April 17, Gafoor had said that any "inappropriate" trend on the campuses should be ...
BJP seeks Yechury's apology for 'trying to defame Hindu religion'
The BJP on Friday accused CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury of linking Hinduism with violence, saying it is yet another instance of vote bank politics by a desperate opposition and sought an apology from him. "We demand an apology from him by trying to defame the Hindu religion and spreading lies and hate against Hindu epics and scriptures that have promoted noble values like victory of good over the evil, universal brotherhood and non-violence," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said in a statement. The world knows that the communists are violent, and Hindus peace-loving, he claimed. In an article for the CPIM mouthpiece, People's Democracy, Yechury had said the BJP's decision to field Pragya Singh Thakur as its candidate from Bhopal is an expression of its efforts to consolidate the Hindutva "communal" vote bank. Yechury also took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his claim that Hindus can never be violent, alleging that Modi erases Indian history replete with gruesome ..
Owaisi attacks Modi over Wardha speech
Citing media reports that a man from Maharashtra was the mastermind behind the killings of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and others, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi Friday asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi would "walk back" from his recent speech at Wardha. "@PMOINDIA are you willing to walk back from your speech in Wardha? Or is that youll ask MURLI to contest in Maharashtra Assembly elections," Owaisi tweeted. He was referring to media reports of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) charge that M D Murli, a right wing activist,was the mastermind behind the killings of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, social activist Govind Pansare and others. Asked about the Election Commission giving a clean chit to Modi on the Wardha speech, Owaisi had said on May 1 that he was concerned more about what Modi talked about terrorism. Modi had on May 1 launched a broadside against the Congress, accusing it of branding "peace-loving Hindus" as terrorists and insulting those who
Will file defamation suite against Kejriwal, AAP leaders: Hans Raj Hans
BJP candidate from North West Delhi Lok Sabha seat and famous Punjabi folk singer Hans Raj Hans on Friday said that he will file a defamation suite against AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders for maligning his image.
Lanka mosques conduct Friday prayers with no breaches of security
Mosques across Sri Lanka held Friday prayers with no untoward incident, authorities said. Last week, most mosques shunned Friday's prayers due to security fears whereas in some areas the Buddhist majority temples were offered as locations to conduct them. Despite the mosques resumed Friday prayers, the Catholic community has cancelled this weekend's prayers at churches for fear of security. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, instructed on Thursday that no public mass will be held until further notice. He cited foreign intelligence information on more attacks despite an assurance from the government that adequate security would be provided to conduct Sunday masses. Last Sunday, a televised mass was held at the Archbishop's House here with the country's top leaders in attendance. The Ministry of Education is all set to resume schools on May 6. Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said security would be provided at schools. The police warned not to park vehicles ..
Christian persecution close to genocide in Middle East
Pervasive persecution of Christians, sometimes amounting to genocide, is ongoing in parts of the Middle East, and has prompted an exodus in the past two decades, said a UK-commissioned report.
Will sue Kejriwal for maligning my image: Hans Raj Hans
Punjabi singer and BJP candidate from the North West Delhi Lok Sabha seat Hans Raj Hans Friday said he will take a legal action against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders for "maligning" his image. The AAP has accused Hans of allegedly converting to Islam in 2014, and said he cannot contest the general election from the North West Delhi reserved seat. Hans refused the charge and said he would have been ousted by his own family if he had converted his religion. "I was born in a Valmiki family and my mother worships saint Valmiki. She would have killed me had I converted to Islam," he said. Hans said he was deeply hurt by the accusations of AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, and will take a legal action against them.
Kerala Minister endorses burqa ban by MES
The Muslim Educational Society (MES) in Kerala, which came out with a circular banning all face covering attires, on Friday got support from Kerala Minister of Higher Education K.T. Jaleel.
Plea against Mayawati: Court directs complainant to approach authorities for prosecution sanction
A Delhi court on Wednesday directed a person to approach the authorities concerned for requisite sanction on his plea seeking registration of an FIR against BSP supremo Mayawati for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by comparing herself to Lord Rama. Metropolitan Magistrate Puneet Nagpal directed the complainant to approach the Distict Magistrate in order to get the sanctions from Uttar Pradesh and the central governments to prosecute Mayawati. It has now posted the matter for further hearing on July 31. The plea has referred to Mayawati's affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in which she said that if the ruling party in UP can make an idol of Lord Rama in Ayodhya measuring 221 metres by using government funds, then why can't she get her own idol made. It alleged that through her "sarcastic comments" in the affidavit, Mayawati has attempted to prompt disharmony or feelings of enmity, hurt or ill-will between different religious communities. "It is a clear cut preplanned ...
TN temples to have special ragas, prayers for rains
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to propiate the gods for rain with special prayers and playing certain ragas in temples that it administers.
Anti-Semitic attacks spike, killing most Jews in decades
Israeli researchers reported Wednesday that violent attacks against Jews spiked significantly last year, with the largest reported number of Jews killed in anti-Semitic acts in decades, leading to an "increasing sense of emergency" among Jewish communities worldwide. Capped by the deadly shooting that killed 11 worshippers at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue on October 27, assaults targeting Jews rose 13 per cent in 2018, according to Tel Aviv University researchers. They recorded nearly 400 cases worldwide, with more than a quarter of the major violent cases taking place in the United States. But the spike was most dramatic in western Europe, where Jews have faced even greater danger and threats. In Germany, for instance, there was a 70 per cent increase in anti-Semitic violence. "There is an increasing sense of emergency among Jews in many countries around the world," said Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Congress, an umbrella group representing Jewish communities ..
Person sitting on PM's chair most unfit ever: Mamata
Attacking Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has labelled him as the "most unfit Prime Minister ever"."I have earlier seen lots of prime ministers in my career. I was a Union minister... I have served under many prime ministers. But the person on the Prime Minister's chair is the most unfit," she said at a rally here on Tuesday.Banerjee alleged that Modi did not know basic political courtesies and does not know "a trace" of Bengali culture."Just see what language he (Modi) uses for his opponents. He does not have basic political courtesies. He cannot respect any culture. He does not know a trace of Bengali culture. He thinks that everyone is his servant," the TMC supremo said.On Monday, Modi had claimed that 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him and there was nothing that could save Banerjee."Didi, on May 23, when the results will come, the lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Didi, your 40 MLAs are in contact with me even now," he had said at .
Shiv Sena demands ban on burqa in public places
The Shiv Sena on Wednesday called for a ban on the use of burqa as it threw its weight behind a similar plan being mulled by the Sri Lankan government in the wake of the Easter terror strikes which claimed over 250 lives.
Jairam Ramesh pens biography of diplomat-politician V K Krishna Menon
Former union minister and writer Jairam Ramesh is penning the biography of celebrated Indian nationalist, diplomat, and politician V K Krishna Menon, publisher Penguin Random House has announced. Titled "Chequered Brilliance: The Many Lives of V K Krishna Menon", the book will hit stands in the first quarter of 2020. It will chronicle Menon's early life, moving through his agitational career in the UK for a quarter of a century, and his political and diplomatic innings from 1947 to 1974, culminating in his resignation as the country's defence minister in November 1962. "This new full-length biography of V K Krishna Menon, a compelling political personality in the emergence of modern India, will give me the chance to tell his story in all its complexity and depth through primary sources. "It will bring out Krishna Menon in all his various roles and incarnations," Ramesh said. The book draws extensively, for the first time, on material that has become available in archives in India and .
