Page 26 - Religion Belief
Muslims across country want to abolish section 370: Indresh Kumar
Senior RSS functionary Indresh Kumar Thursday claimed that Muslims across the country are in favour of abolishing Section 370 and it is only the regional parties of Jammu and Kashmir which are against it. Addressing a gathering at an event on 'Role of Muslims in electoral battle', he said the BJP government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that benefits of all social welfare schemes reached the poor among Muslims as well. "The Modi government religiously followed its principal of 'with all, development for all' and unlike other parties did not indulge in politics of appeasement. All benefits such as power connections, LPG cylinders and built-up houses were also provided to the poor among Muslims," he said. Kumar is the patron-in-chief of the Muslim Rahstriya Manch, an organisation for the welfare of Muslims that has been advocating abolishing triple talaq in the community. Talking about Section 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the .
PIL in SC: Misquoting judicial orders is corruption
Amid poll season, a PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction that misquoting judicial orders by political leaders during the poll campaign should constitute a corrupt practice.
Plea in SC seeks to declare misquoting judicial orders by candidates a corrupt practice
A petition in the Supreme Court has sought a direction that misquoting judicial orders for electoral gains by candidates and political office bearers be declared a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People Act. It has also sought a direction that the Election Commission of India (ECI) should have power to refer complaints against them for seeking vote on the basis of religion, race, caste, community or language to appropriate investigation agencies. "Direct and declare the Election Commission of India has the power to reject the nomination of contesting candidates and de-register the political parties for seeking vote on the basis of religion, race, caste, community or language," said the plea, filed by BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. Besides the Centre, the petition has arrayed the ECI as a party. Upadhyay has referred to a recent statement given by Congress President Rahul Gandhi on apex court's order in the Rafale fighter jets case. He has also ...
Michel denied bail for celebrating Easter
A Delhi court on Thursday rejected an interim bail plea of British national Christian Michel -- an alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AugustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case -- for celebrating Easter.
Case registered against Sreedharan Pillai for giving communal speech
Police registered a case against BJP Kerala State president Sreedharan Pillai on Thursday on charges of giving a communal speech against the Muslim community.The case was booked under section 153A for promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion.The Kerala State president stroked a controversy on Sunday after his remarks against the Muslim community, while addressing a public meeting in Attingal, Kerala.Citing a ritual all Muslim males undergo, Pillai had said that the members of the community can be identified "after removing their clothes.
Michel denied interim bail for celebrating Easter
A Delhi court on Thursday rejected an interim bail plea of British national Christian Michel -- an alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AugustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case -- for celebrating Easter.
Pope celebrates Holy Thursday ahead of foot-washing ritual
Pope Francis is ushering in the most solemn period in the Catholic liturgical calendar by celebrating a Holy Thursday Mass, made more poignant this year following the devastation of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral. The Crism Mass celebrates the unity of priests with their bishops. During Thursday's service, Francis blesses the holy oils that will be used over the course of the year in the administration of various sacraments. In his homily, Francis stressed that when priests use the oil, they are distributing their vocation and heart to the people of God. This year, Holy Week which for Catholics commemorates Christ's crucifixion, death and resurrection has taken on particular meaning following the fire at Notre Dame, a symbol of French Catholicism. Francis has offered his condolences repeatedly to the French faithful.
Emperor performs ritual to report abdication to Shinto gods
Emperor Akihito prayed at a Japanese shrine Thursday in a ritual to report his upcoming abdication to the Shinto gods. The 85-year-old emperor will retire on April 30 in the first abdication in 200 years and a rarity in Japan's ancient imperial history. Crown Prince Naruhito will succeed to the Chrysanthemum throne May 1. Akihito performed the "Shinetsu no Gi" ritual at Ise Shrine in western Japan as part of the succession process. Akihito in a tuxedo headed into the shrine, with palace officials holding up two imperial treasures sword and jewel. The third, a mirror, is kept at the shrine. The treasures were brought from the palace in Tokyo and travelled with the emperor. The regalia, or three treasures, will be handed to Naruhito after his succession. His daughter and head shrine priest, Sayako Kuroda, also attended. Ise Shrine was a center of Japan's wartime emperor worship that still attracts political and business leaders today. Japanese emperors were once believed to be direct .
Pragya holds Digvijay responsible for 'defamation' of Hinduism
Minutes after being nominated as the BJP's Bhopal candidate, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur lashed out at her Congress rival Digvijay Singh, saying he "sowed the seeds" of defamation of "Sanatan Dharma". Thakur, who is facing trial in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, also defended herself saying she got a clean cheat, and accused the then Congress regime of torturing her. "He (Digvijay Singh) has sown the seeds of defamation of our Sanatam Dharma (Hinduism) and the saffron. He termed the saffron and Hindutva as terrorism," Thakur alleged. "I will ensure that the saffron gets its due respect," she told reporters after being declared as the BJP candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. "Dharma will triumph over Adharma," she added. Referring to her incarceration in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Thakur alleged that "They (the then Congress government) misused the law, disrespected a woman, and tortured me unlawfully". Thakur was granted bail in the Malegaon case in 2017. "I am a ...
Delhi court to hear on May 1 plea against Mayawati for hurting religious sentiment
A Delhi court will hear on May 1 a plea seeking direction to the police to register an FIR against BSP supremo Mayawati for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by comparing herself with Lord Rama. The plea has referred to Mayawati's affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in which she said that if the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh can make tall idol of Lord Rama in Ayodhya measuring 221 metres by using government funds, then why she cannot make her own idol. It said 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 conspiracy for disrespecting a religion with a view to take undue advantage for polarisation and satisfying some other religion and she wanted to create disharmony between communities," claimed the plea filed by Chatter Singh Rachhoya, general secretary of All India Raiger Mahasabha. The former chief minister of ...
This poll is battle between Ram & Ravan, Godse & Gandhi: Sidhu
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu Wednesday said this Lok Sabha election was a battle between Lord Krishna and Kans, Ram and Ravan, and Godse and Gandhi. Sidhu, addressing a poll rally in Dholka town in Ahmedabad district, lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, unemployment and farmer issues, and also dared the PM to have a debate with him. "China is building a railway line beneath the sea. US is finding life on Mars. Russia is trying to build an army of robots. And what is India doing? We are making a 'chowkidar' who is actually a 'chor' (thief). I am telling you that you are indeed a thief," Sidhu, who is one of the star campaigners of the Congress, said. "You always talk about nationalism. Then listen Mr. Modi. This is a battle between Lord Krishna and Kans. This is a battle between Ram and Ravan. And, this is a battle between Godse and Gandhi," he added. The Punjab minister accused Modi of dividing the nation. "Our Constitution says there ...
Rahul Gandhi recalls 'fond' memories of father Rajiv Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday recalled the 'fond' memories of his late father Rajiv Gandhi, after visiting Thirunelli Temple in Kerala's Wayanad, where former Prime Minister's ashes were immersed.After visiting the temple, Gandhi said that "its surroundings are an oasis of peace & serenity"."Today I visited the Thirunelli Temple in Wayanad, Kerala. This beautiful temple & its surroundings are an oasis of peace & serenity. Standing besides the Papanasini, where my father's ashes were immersed in 1991, brought back fond memories of him & our time together," Gandhi tweeted after visiting the temple here.Gandhi offered prayers and performed rituals for his late family members as well as victims of the Pulwama terror attack at the temple.The Gandhi scion had filed his nomination from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat on April 4.Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency fell vacant following the death of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president M I ...
EC ban on, Yogi lands in Ayodhya, meets sants
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is making the most of the 72-hour campaigning ban imposed on him by the Election Commission.
Lakhs of devotees witness celestial wedding at Meenakshi
: More 1.5 lakh devotees from various parts of Tamil Nadu converged on the famous Sri Meenakshi Amman temple here Wednesday to witness the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar. The wedding is the highlight of the10-day annual 'Chithirai' festival at the ancient temple. Special poojas were performed before the deities exchanged garlands at 9.52 a.m amid chanting of the names of the God and Goddess by the devotees. Authorities made arrangements for distribution of water, buttermilk and beverages to devotees to help them beat the summer heat.
Pope thanks Notre-Dame firefighters on behalf of whole Church
Pope Francis on Wednesday thanked the firefighters who risked their lives to save the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on behalf of the entire Catholic Church. "The gratitude of the whole Church goes to all those who did everything they could, even risking their lives, to save the Basilica," he said during the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square. Francis said he had been "very saddened" by the vast blaze on Monday which gutted the great Paris landmark, destroying the roof, causing the steeple to collapse and leaving France reeling in shock. A firefighter suffered injuries during the blaze, which at one point threatened to bring down one of the two monumental bell towers on the western facade of the cathedral that is visited by 13 million tourists each year. The Holy Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Jesus at his crucifixion, was saved by firefighters, as was a sacred tunic worn by 13th-century French king Louis IX. Rescuers formed a human chain at the site of the
Rahul performs 'beli tharpanam' for father in Kerala
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday performed "beli tharpanam" in memory of his father former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at a Thiruneli temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Lankan Prez offers prayers at Tirumala shrine
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Wednesday offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala near here. Accompanied by wife Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari, other family members and some government officials, Sirisena arrived here from Hyderabad Tuesday. After an overnight stay at the TTD guest house on the hills, he visited the temple at the crack of dawn and offered prayers to the presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara. He spent about half an hour at the shrine, a temple official told PTI. After paying obeisance, the island nation's President was presented with a sacred silk cloth, a framed photo of Lord Venkateswara besides 'prasadam' by the officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which governs the ancient hill temple. Before leaving the temple, the priests at Sri Ranganayakula Mandapam, blessed him. Sirisena would leave for Bangalore to fly back to Colombo, the official added. Earlier, he had visited the holy hills in August 2016 and February ..
EC ban on: Yogi lands in Ayodhya temple, meets saints
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is making good use of the 72-hour ban imposed on him by the Election Commission.
French Prez wants Notre Dame rebuilt in 5 years
Soon after the fire was put out at the Notre Dame Cathedral, French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said that he wants the historic site to be rebuilt in the next five years.The iconic Parisian landmark bore great damage after a blaze engulfed the 13th-century cathedral on Monday."We will rebuild Notre Dame even more beautiful and I want that to be done in the next five years," CNN quoted Macron as saying in a televised address. "Throughout our history, we have built towns, ports, churches. Many have been burnt due to revolutions, wars, due to mankind's mistakes. Each time we have rebuilt them," he added."The fire of Notre Dame reminds us that our story never ends. And that we will always have challenges to overcome. What we believe to be indestructible can also be touched," the French President lastly said.The violent blaze, the origin of which remains unknown, shook the entire world as people voiced their sadness upon seeing centuries of history go up in flames. Considered as ..
Pope offers prayers for Notre Dame 'catastrophe'
Pope Francis is offering his prayers that Notre Dame, the "architectural gem of a collective memory," will once again be a shrine to the Catholic faith, a symbol of the French nation and a spiritual and architectural gift to humanity. In a heartfelt note of condolences sent to Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit, Francis said Tuesday that the fire was particularly devastating given that it came during Holy Week, the somber days leading up to Easter during which Christians commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Francis wrote: "This catastrophe has gravely harmed a historic building. But I am aware that it has also affected a national symbol dear to the heart of Parisians and all French people in the diversity of their convictions. "Because Notre Dame is the architectural gem of a collective memory, a place of gathering for great events, a witness of the faith and prayer of Catholics in the heart of the city." Francis praised the courage of the firefighters and invoked his .
