DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:11:12 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/religion/demand-for-anti-conversion-law-echoes-on-last-day-of-bihar-budget-session-662996.html Patna Feb 27 IANS The issue of enacting stricter laws against religious conversion resonated in the Bihar Legislative Assembly on the final day of the Budget Session as several ruling party members raised the matter through a calling attention motionnbspEighteen MLAs from the ruling alliance including Maithili Thakur Mithilesh Tiwari Virendra Kumar Janak Singh Sanjay Kumar Singh Jivesh Kumar Tar Kishore Prasad and Baidyanath Prasad spoke on the issue calling for a law similar to those enacted in other statesThe MLAs stated that states such as Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Uttarakhand and Gujarat have implemented laws against religious conversionAccording to them these laws provide for stringent punishment including imprisonment ranging from one to 10 or even 20 years in cases involving alleged fraudulent conversion child marriage or inducementMembers also claimed that demographic changes in certain parts of Bihar warranted legislative interventionThey alleged that religious conversions were being carried out on a large scale and expressed concern over the situation in border districts and the Seemanchal regionMithilesh Tiwari MLA from the Bharatiya Janata Party said Uttar Pradesh has strict laws and a similar law should be enacted in Bihar In Buxar alone 1000 Dalit families have converted The demographics of Seemanchal have changed Therefore this law is needed the government should consider itSome MLAs cited figures regarding population growth and the establishment of churches in the state alleging that conversions were taking place through inducementBJP MLA Sanjay Singh termed it not just religious conversion but national conversion while another member Anil Singh demanded strict legislation to curb the practiceCertain members also raised questions about reservation benefits following religious conversion and referred to constitutional provisions in their argumentsResponding to the debate Tourism and Arts ampamp Culture Minister Arun Shankar Prasad clarified that the Bihar government currently has no proposal to introduce legislation related to religious conversionThere is no proposal to enact any legislation related to this at this time the minister stated in the HouseWhen some BJP members continued to press the issue Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar intervened stating that the calling attention motion had been admitted and that the government would review the matter if necessary He ruled that there would be no further discussion on the issueIANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/demand-for-anti-conversion-law-echoes-on-last-day-of-bihar-budget-session-662996.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/indian-muslim-clerics-javed-akhtar-condemn-taliban-over-code-allowing-wife-beating-662351.html Lucknow Feb 23 Prominent Muslim clerics in India have sharply condemned the Talibanâs new penal code in Afghanistan that reportedly legalises domestic violence calling it a blatant misuse of religion and a violation of Islamic principles The law which allows husbands to beat wives âwithout causing bone fractures or open woundsâ and punishes women with imprisonment if they visit their parents without permission has sparked outrage among religious leaders and civil society All India Muslim Jamaat President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi said âThe Taliban has come to power in Afghanistan for the second time The Talibans image has always been one of terror We have never accepted the Taliban and have always considered them involved in terrorist activities Now even if they claim to have changed their methods beating and violence are against Islamic principles Taliban authorities should ensure that such decrees are not issued that harm interpersonal relationsâMaulana Mohammad Mirza Yasoob Abbas cleric and speaker of the AllIndia Shia Personal Law Board AISPLB said âIt is very unfortunate that the Taliban are creating turmoil in the name of religion This new law is very wrong and should be strongly condemnedâShia religious leader Maulana Saif Abbas also criticised the Taliban stating âThe Talibanâs character is double standard On one hand they speak about Islam but on the other the law they have created allows beating wives and children There is no justification for domestic violence and we strongly condemn this Taliban lawâFormer Babri Masjid litigant Iqbal Ansari said âViolence is considered wrong in all societies regardless of religion We do not consider violence to be right we too are Muslims connected to our faith but violence should not be directed at anyoneâVeteran lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar taking to X called on Indian muftis and mullahs to unconditionally denounce the measure pointing out that the Taliban law reportedly allows wife beating âwithout any bone fractureâ and punishes women with three monthsâ imprisonment if they visit their parents without their husbandâs permission His post sparked widespread discussion on social mediaâThis is being carried out in the name of religion but it is completely unacceptableâ Akhtar saidThe remarks from Indian Muslim leaders come amid global criticism of the Talibanâs policies towards women highlighting concern over the misuse of religion to justify violence IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/indian-muslim-clerics-javed-akhtar-condemn-taliban-over-code-allowing-wife-beating-662351.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/devotional-flower-holi-at-samiamai-temple-in-prayagraj-662412.html Prayagraj Feb 23 As the festival of Holi approaches excitement is already sweeping across the country Among all the vibrant celebrations the spirit of Holi is perhaps the most eagerly awaited âThough the festival is still a few days away preparations are in full swing especially in the city of Prayagraj known as the SangamâAt the revered Samiamai Temple devotees celebrated a unique Holi of Flowers with great devotion and joyâThe temple premises resonated with chants and festive cheer as devotees offered abir and gulal to Lord Shiva and showered flowers in celebration A large number of devotees gathered to take part in the special festivitiesâWomen devotees first performed traditional worship and aarti of Lord Shiva seeking his blessings After offering prayers at the Samiamai Temple they began playing Holi with flowers symbolising purity love and harmony The atmosphere was filled with devotion colour and unity reflecting the true essence of the festival â embracing one another and spreading happinessâSpeaking to IANS a female devotee said âToday we celebrated Holi here It felt truly wonderful and filled our hearts with joyââHoli is a major festival in India that is celebrated by millions across the country The day is synonymous with colors and sweets with people meeting friends and family members and smearing gulal on them In the evening its customary in many regions to wear new clothes and meet the near and dear ones Gujiya a sweet dumpling filled with khoya a milk product and thandai a refreshing drink infused with nuts and spices are among the traditional treats enjoyed during the festivitiesâHolis origins trace back to ancient India One of the most popular legends associated with the festival is the tale of Prahlada and his aunt Holika a demonessâAccording to Hindu mythology Prahlada a devout follower of Lord Vishnu survived unscathed from the flames of a pyre while his malevolent aunt who sought to harm him perished This triumph of good over evil is commemorated with bonfires lit on the eve of Holi symbolising the victory of righteousnessâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/devotional-flower-holi-at-samiamai-temple-in-prayagraj-662412.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gautam-adani-reviews-rs-43-000-crore-power-projects-in-jharkhand-bihar-662256.html Ahmedabad Feb 22 IANS Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday reviewed major power projects of the group in eastern IndianbspDuring his visit to Godda in Jharkhand Gautam Adani inspected the 1600 MW ultrasupercritical thermal power plant built with an investment of over Rs 16000 croreThe project located in a tribaldominated area has created thousands of direct and indirect jobs and improved rail connectivity in the regionThe power plant supplies electricity exclusively to Bangladesh under a longterm agreement giving it crossborder importanceThe Adani Group Chairman also visited Bihar where the Group is planning a 2400 MW ultrasupercritical power project at Pirpainti near BhagalpurThe proposed project involves an investment of over Rs 27000 crore and is expected to be completed within the next four to five years It aims to meet the growing industrial and urban power demand in he stateWith these projects the Adani Group has emerged as one of the largest private infrastructure investors in Jharkhand and BiharBoth states are rich in mineral resources but have historically seen limited largescale industrial investmentAt the Godda plant Gautam Adani interacted with engineers technicians and frontline workers appreciating their effortsHe also met tribal women from nearby communities underlining what he described as a peoplefirst approach as the Group expands its operationsEarlier in the day Gautam Adani offered prayers at the Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar calling it the fulfilment of a longheld personal wishHe spoke about the idea of Seva hi Sadhana Hai meaning service itself is devotionVisiting Baba Baidyanath in Deoghar felt as if centuriesold faith is still pulsating in the same vibrant form today Gautam Adani wrote on his X handle sharing a picture of him performing rituals thereThe realisation of why Mahadev is regarded as a symbol of strength restraint and resolve becomes even stronger upon arriving here he addedIn recent years the Adani Group has also been associated with major spiritual and public events such as the Maha Kumbh Mela and the Jagannath Rath YatraIANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gautam-adani-reviews-rs-43-000-crore-power-projects-in-jharkhand-bihar-662256.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 19:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-40-lakh-visitors-from-100-nationsbaps-hindu-mandirin-abu-dhabimarks-two-years-of-global-inspiration-661689.html Abu Dhabi Feb 16 The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi celebrated its second anniversary recently marking two years of spiritual service and cultural harmony in the United Arab Emirates UAE Since its inauguration by Mahant Swami Maharaj on February 14 2024 the Mandir has welcomed over four million visitors from more than 100 countries emerging as a global symbol of peaceful coexistence and shared human valuesMore than 8000 devotees dignitaries diplomats and families gathered for the special anniversary assembly themed âMandir Our Family Our FutureâThe event reflected the BAPS templeâs growing role not only as a place of worship but as a living institution that strengthens families connects communities and promotes harmony across culturesSwami Brahmviharidas delivered the keynote address on behalf of Mahant Swami Maharaj who inspired and inaugurated the Mandir two years ago to the dayDrawing a meaningful analogy he shared âA child begins to walk at one but speaks at two In the same way the Mandir has now begun to speak to the world and its message is harmonyâ He noted that the Mandirâs message has resonated consistently with millions of visitors including ambassadors faith leaders tourists and community representatives from across the globeThe evening honoured HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan for his longstanding commitment to cultural coexistence and unity in the UAEIn his address he described the Mandir as âa powerful symbol of shared human valuesâ and a reflection of the deep and enduring friendship between India and the United Arab Emirates He emphasised the UAE leadershipâs vision of fostering mutual respect across faiths and cultures expressing hope that the Mandir will continue to provide spiritual strength moral guidance and community upliftment for generations to comeThe anniversary programme featured âMandir Talksâ highlighting the Mandirâs expanding global and societal impactâMandir Talks to the Worldâ brought together diplomatic voices who described it as a bridge between heritage and modern diplomacy shaped not only by stone but by friendship and goodwillâMandir Talks to the Familiesâ captured the lived experiences of residents who shared how the Mandir has become a welcoming spiritual home a place where traditions are celebrated openly and where acts of service strengthen family bondsâMandir Talks to the Communitiesâ reflected on how the Mandir has become a unifying hub for diverse traditions fostering inclusion volunteerism and social cohesionâMandir Talks to the Futureâ featured children leading four collective pledges Self Positivity Family Values National Harmony and Environmental Responsibility symbolising the Mandirâs commitment to shaping responsible compassionate future generationsBlending traditional craftsmanship with modern sustainability the BAPS Hindu Mandir stands as a landmark of civilizational collaboration Yet its true strength lies in its impact inspiring faith strengthening families serving society and advancing harmonyAs it enters its third year the Mandir continues to embody the UAEâs commitment to peaceful coexistence and the enduring belief that faith service and unity can help build a more hopeful and harmonious world IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-40-lakh-visitors-from-100-nationsbaps-hindu-mandirin-abu-dhabimarks-two-years-of-global-inspiration-661689.html Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/hum-do-hamare-do-darjan-aimims-shaukat-ali-sparks-row-with-new-slogan-661260.html Moradabad Feb 9 AIMIMâs Uttar Pradesh president Shaukat Ali stirred controversy with a remark suggesting a new slogan on having children Hum Do Hamare Do Darjan We two our two dozen Shaukat Ali the state chief of Asaduddin Owaisiled AIMIM made the statement while addressing a public meeting in Moradabad on Sunday evening His comments on population growth and community strength have triggered sharp reactionsDuring the gathering Ali claimed that he has eight children while his elder brother has 16 He said he would encourage Muslims to have as many children as possibleâWe will tell all Muslims to have as many children as possible When Allah is giving take it Keep taking it as long as He keeps giving Some people in the country are worried that our population is increasing But if the population increases the country will become strongerâ he saidDrawing a comparison with China Ali added âChina has more population they are stronger So if our population increases then our country will become stronger I will say to have âHum Do Hamare Do Dozenâ Then why are people having a problem with our populationâHe further stated that he would also appeal to Hindus to have more children âI will also request Hindu brothers to give birth to 14 children so that our country becomes strongerâ he saidAli also stated that India is a young country and questioned why population growth is being viewed negatively âOur country is the youngest country in the world Then why do people have a problem The people who are saying this are the ones who are not marryingâ he addedApart from the populationrelated remarks Ali launched a strong attack on the Samajwadi Party during the same event Naming former cabinet minister Kamal Akhtar he alleged that Akhtar was involved in selling liquor in MoradabadâEveryone knows whose ghazal bar it was here He himself sells liquor and then he accuses us of being the Bteam of the BJPâ Ali saidAli also made controversial statements on mob lynching and alleged harassment of Muslims He claimed that even women associated with Hindu organisations had started misbehaving with MuslimsâIf we talk about Moradabad several hundred madrasas have been shut down here Our madrasas are called dens of terrorism The veils of our girls are being pulled off in public Mob lynching is being carried out in the name of meat We are not even safe while travelling on trains and buses Our beards are being pulled outâ he saidHe further alleged that earlier only men used to misbehave but now women were also involvedâEarlier men used to misbehave with us but now women are also behave badly with Muslim women We have not started this We have always considered them as big brothersâ he saidAli also responded to allegations that AIMIM functions as the Bteam of the BJP âPeople accuse us of being the Bteam of the BJP I am a Muslim and the one accusing me is also a Muslimâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/hum-do-hamare-do-darjan-aimims-shaukat-ali-sparks-row-with-new-slogan-661260.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhagwats-statement-strengthens-muslims-position-says-aimj-maulana-razvi-661342.html Bareilly Feb 9 All India Muslim Jamaat President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi welcomed some recent remarks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat while flagging some issues concerning the Muslim community in the country Speaking to IANS Maulana Razvi said that the RSS chiefs statement about having three children has actually strengthened the position of the Muslim community He said that having children or not is one of Allahâs greatest blessings and no one has the right to question it Those who repeatedly raise objections over Muslims having three or four children should carefully listen to and read Bhagwatâs statement he saidOn the Uniform Civil Code UCC he maintained that the provisions related to the UCC in the Constitution are clear and justified According to the Constitution public opinion must be sought in states where the UCC is to be implemented and it cannot be enforced without public consentCiting Uttarakhand as an example he said that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami formed the Justice Ranjana Desai Committee to draft the Uniform Civil Code but the committee did not take the views of Scheduled Tribes tribal communities or minorities He alleged that the UCC was implemented unilaterally in Uttarakhand which is against constitutional proceduresLaws cannot be made in India in such a manner and if such authoritarianism is adopted it would not only go against the basic structure of the Constitution but would also weaken democratic values he assertedTargeting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Maulana Razvi alleged that he is openly indulging in antiMuslim rhetoric and continuously spewing hatred against Muslims He claimed that the Chief Minister wants to weaken the economic condition of Muslims and cited Sarmaâs remark suggesting that a rickshaw puller from the community asking for five rupees should be paid only four Such statements he said promote hatred and division in societyMaulana Razvi also alleged that a controversial video linked to the Assam Chief Minister was an attempt to stifle democracy and mock democratic values adding that such politics cannot work in a democratic countryReferring to Bhagwatâs statement that India is incomplete without Muslims Razvi said the Assam Chief Minister continues to reject such views and instead makes provocative and inflammatory remarks against Muslims He demanded that the Supreme Court take suo motu cognisance of the matter and initiate action IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhagwats-statement-strengthens-muslims-position-says-aimj-maulana-razvi-661342.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/guilty-in-tirupati-laddu-adulteration-will-not-be-spared-andhra-pradesh-cm-661014.html Amaravati Feb 5 Denying the clean chit to the YSRCP in the Tirupati laddu adulteration case Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday declared that the guilty in the case will not be spared The CBIled has submitted a report to the state government to initiate administrative action against the individuals concerned Naidu saidThe Chief Minister said the government has constituted a oneman committee to conduct a comprehensive examination of the report identify lapses and fix responsibilityOnce the committee completes its review the government will initiate appropriate action in accordance with the findings he said addressing a press conference along with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan BJP State President PVN Madhav and several ministersStating that they are placing the facts before people the Chief Minister said that the alleged adulteration of Tirumala laddu prasadam is a grave offence against devoteesâ faith and asserted that no report has given a clean chit to the YSRCP in the matterThe issue is directly linked to public sentiments he said alleging that sacrilege of the Lordâs prasadam took place during the previous YSRCP regimeThe Chief Minister alleged that despite clear warnings from the Central Food Technological Research Institute CFTRI in 2022 about adulteration the report was suppressed and no action was taken After assuming office as part of a comprehensive cleanup his government collected laddu samples and sent them to the National Dairy Development Board NDDB for testingReferring to the SIT and laboratory reports he said ghee was prepared using chemicals and palm oil and other adulterants calling it a grave wrongdoing and an unforgivable sin He alleged that lakhs of devotees were given adulterated laddus over the last five years causing fear and mental distressRejecting claims of a clean chit the Chief Minister clarified that the CBI report does not certify anywhere that there was no adulteration and said that the accused are spreading false narratives and launching counterattacks to divert attention He warned that intimidation and rowdyism would not succeed and asserted that strict punishment would be ensured for the guiltyDeputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said the government speaks with responsibility and caution on sensitive issues of faith No report has given a clean chit so far Allegations involving animal fat are extremely sensitive and cannot be spoken about lightly he said adding that the government spoke only after examining evidence which was found in the NDDB CALF test reportHe said the issue concerns the Hindu faith and sentiments and accused the opposition of attacking the government and spreading false propaganda instead of apologising if mistakes were committed He warned that those who tamper with matters of faith and God would ultimately face severe consequences in lifeBJP state President Madhav slammed the YSRCP and said the Tirumala laddu issue reflected adulterated thinking and corrupt governance of the previous regime Preparing laddus with chemically processed and adulterated ghee is dangerous deeply hurts devoteesâ sentiments and plays with public health The present government is committed to restoring transparency and sanctity in temple administration he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/guilty-in-tirupati-laddu-adulteration-will-not-be-spared-andhra-pradesh-cm-661014.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-nitish-kumars-son-nishant-kumar-visits-vrindavan-simplicity-wins-hearts-660819.html Patna Feb 4 Nishant Kumar son of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited the holy town of Vrindavan with his family on Wednesday for darshan and prayers The visit drew public attention not for any political significance but for Nishant Kumarâs striking simplicity and lowprofile conduct He was seen travelling through the narrow lanes of Vrindavan in an erickshaw without any elaborate entourage or visible security presenceLocals were visibly surprised to see the Chief Ministerâs son moving about quietly and casually blending seamlessly into the spiritual ambience of the townSeveral photographs and videos from the visit surfaced on social media showing Nishant Kumar walking through the streets visiting temples spending time near water bodies and travelling like an ordinary pilgrimTej Pratap Yadav son of Lalu Prasad speaking to IANS said âHe should have visited Vrindavan earlier I have already visited Vrindavan Barsana and other places there Nishant has started now If he had visited earlier there would have been more glow on his faceâHis understated presence conveyed a strong message of humility and simplicity earning appreciation from manyKnown for staying away from the public glare Nishant Kumar is rarely seen at political or social events Though his name is occasionally discussed in Biharâs political circles he has consistently maintained that he has no interest in active politics and prefers a quiet personal lifeBorn on July 20 1975 Nishant Kumar will turn 50 in 2026 He is the only son of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his late wife Manju Sinha a school teacher who passed away in 2007He completed his early education at St Karenâs School in Patna and later studied at Manav Bharti India International School Mussoorie He went on to pursue software engineering from Birla Institute of Technology BIT Mesra RanchiOver the years Nishant Kumar has largely devoted himself to personal and spiritual pursuits consciously avoiding political engagement However his occasional public appearances in recent years have sparked renewed political speculation in BiharHis Vrindavan visit marked by humility and simplicity once again underscored his preference for a grounded lowkey lifestyle leaving a quiet yet lasting impression on those who witnessed it IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-nitish-kumars-son-nishant-kumar-visits-vrindavan-simplicity-wins-hearts-660819.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-minority-christian-community-targetted-through-fabricated-drug-cases-660886.html Islamabad Feb 4 Christian community leaders in Pakistans Faisalabad have voiced their concern over what they termed as discriminatory policing and stereotyping under the ongoing antidrug drive in Punjab province They alleged that members of the minority community have been facing raids and criminal cases falsely linking them to narcotics over the past two months local media reported While addressing a press conference at the Faisalabad Press Club Minority Rights Movement MRM chief Lala Robin Daniel and other Christian leaders said that the community fully backs efforts to end drug abuse However they expressed opposition to what they described as a targetted narrative showcasing Christians as centres of drug activity reported Voicepknet an open platform dedicated to broadcasting events related to human rights concerns in PakistanThey alleged that substances like heroin hashish and ice are being falsely linked to Christian community through baseless police cases and social media campaigns The speakers stated that such narratives risk criminalising Christian community and deepening social prejudice They requested authorities to intervene in the matter and ensure transparency in law enforcement and intelligence reportingThe speakers complained that when the members or religious minorities as per law were allowed to sell and purchase alcohol then they could not be detained for it by terming it as a drug They said If any arm of the state such as the police declares alcohol a drug and advertises it as that that would be a violation of the lawSpeaking to Voicepk Lala Robin Daniel one of the prominent leaders said that people belonging to Christian community were being booked under narcoticslinked provisions including Section 9c through what he termed as false and discriminatory cases He said Our community is being targetted through fabricated drug cases He termed the discrimination extremely dangerous for Christians as a minority communityDaniel mentioned that members of Christian community despite having legal licenses for alcohol were being falsely accused of dealing in substances like heroin ice and hashish This campaign of bogus cases risks branding the entire Christian community as criminal Voicepk quoted him as sayingHe alleged that police were increasing druglinked figures by lodging false cases against Christians Many members of our community are currently facing fabricated narcotics charges said Daniel IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-minority-christian-community-targetted-through-fabricated-drug-cases-660886.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/the-unholy-barrier-how-imperial-fear-and-arrogance-fought-the-missionaries-660591.html New Delhi Feb 3 By the second decade of the 19th century the British East India Company EIC had ceased to be a mere commercial concern It was a staggering debtridden empire ruling over a vast population of seventy to eighty millions of souls The tranquility of this immense possession according to those who governed it rested not solely on the sheer physical force of its armies but on a highly volatile mix of moral influence and in a great degree even by prejudiceIn this fragile politically combustible atmosphere where governance was openly described by critics as a despotism maintained by rulers who were despots over the governed the issue of religious activity became explosiveThe EICs survival depended on maintaining a delicate artificial political stability and the introduction of unrestrained Christian proselytisation threatened to ignite the very social structure the Company strove to upholdThe moment of reckoning arrived with the approaching renewal of the EICs exclusive Charter in 1814 This crisis allowed various British domestic factions manufacturers desperate for open trade London shipowners fighting Indian competition and crucially evangelical and religious societies to press their agendas upon a struggling imperial powerOn February 19 1813 the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge SSPCK formally approached the House of CommonsTheir petition presented by Mr Wilberforce sought parliamentary provision in the Charter renewal to allow them to pursue their spiritual duty in the EICs territoriesFor the inhabitants of India already subjected to a system widely criticised as being founded upon blood and supported by injustice the language of this petition provided a searing indictment of British cultural arrogance confirming that the colonial project viewed the subjects not merely as economic resources but as morally deficient people in desperate need of foreign civilisationI The Insult of Deplorable IgnoranceThe SSPCK an organisation incorporated in 1709 by Queen Annes charter to promote Christian knowledge viewed India as the perfect field for their efforts entirely agreeably to the object of the royal charter They highlighted their success in diffusing the blessings of civilisation and industry subordination to lawful authority and attachment to the Constitution and government of the British empire in Scotland and America The petition sought to export this civilising process to the Indian territoriesThe language used by the Society to describe the Indian populace however was saturated with profound condescension revealing the cultural superiority complex that underpinned the missionary drive That while the natives of those countries have long been and still continue in a state of deplorable ignorance and addicted to various idolatrous and superstitious usages of the most degrading and horrible descriptionThis description of deplorable ignorance and idolatrous and superstitious usages stood in stark contrast to the economic and political realities the British themselves had imposed upon India While the SSPCK sought to remedy spiritual darkness the EIC was simultaneously presiding over systemic exploitation and financial crisisFinancial Bankruptcy The EIC was not a viable commercial entity being in a distressed state and potentially 15 millions worse than nothing Its immense territorial revenues were largely consumed by the costs of the British administration and its military activities By 1813 the debt contracted for political purposes stood at nearly Â260000002 Judicial Paralysis The courts supposedly established to provide security for persons and property were revealed to be in a deplorable state Civil justice was virtually denied to suitors because the administration imposed exorbitant fees up to 50 per cent on claims and required stamped paper for all documents making it almost impossible to obtain justice The cost of administering justice in British India was allegedly higher than in the whole of Europe3 Informational Lockdown Far from operating an enlightened government the administration maintained a despotic system where the press was perfectly fettered by requiring the sanction of the secretary of the government This censorship was necessary to keep the people of India in darkness as to the nature of their government and prevent publications that might reveal the peculiar tenure by which the British government held their powerFrom the Indian perspective the true deplorable ignorance lay not in the indigenous culture but in the rulers refusal to acknowledge the systemic misery debt and political fraud they perpetrated The very year of the petition 1813 was a time when Parliament was awash in criticism of the EIC for its economic monopoly which restricted Indian potential and created an unnatural and extremely hard if not an unjust arrangement by allowing foreigners to trade more freely with British India than British subjectsII The Governors Fear Defending Despotism with PrejudiceThe EICs restrictions on missionary activity were a calculated political measure of selfpreservation stemming from an overriding fear of native resistance The Charter Act of 1813 had to address this as Parliament contained influential evangelicals like Mr Wilberforce who pressed for provisions to allow missionsThe ruling power believed that their empire acquired partly by conquest compact forfeiture and even fraud was too fragile to withstand ideological challenge This fear dictated a policy of radical noninterference in religious life a policy defended in Parliament by R Dundas and othersThe core justification for the restrictions rested on the recognition that it was the substratum of the British government in India to uphold the laws and usages of the nativesPreventing Irritation and Hostility Dundas confirmed the governments duty to suppress a work calculated to excite irritation and hostility He recalled a case where certain persons though acting with most laudable intentions had printed a treatise containing animadversions of the most severe nature on the religion and customs of the natives Suppression was necessary to prevent a religious backlash2 Avoiding Tumultuous Proceedings The government believed that abstaining from openly exerting itself to further the cause of Christianity was necessary lest they should be represented to the people as attempting to impose upon them a new religion which could lead to tumultuous proceedings3 The Political Necessity of Darkness Critics seized upon this defensive posture Mr Whitbread argued that to support a political despotism the government would not let them have the light of that Gospel through which they hoped for salvation themselves Mr Hutchinson observed that the aim was to keep the people of India in darkness as to the nature of their governmentThe EICs defense thus revealed a profound cynicism Religious tolerance was not granted out of genuine respect but was cynically deployed as a political weapon to maintain tranquillity and prevent the massive sixtymillionstrong subject population from recognising the vulnerability of the one million British rulers The British administration facing economic collapse and military strain such as the war against the Pindarries which led to conflicts with the Mahratta powers could not risk any internal ideological fractureIII The Irony of Exclusion Scottish Subjects Denied Their FaithThe SSPCK petition and a related appeal from the Church of Scotland highlighted a cruel irony in the EICs system the religious restrictions primarily victimised not only the targeted Indian population but also the British subjects themselvesThe SSPCK noted that many of our own countrymen members of the church of Scotland employed in the different civil and military departments in India are precluded from enjoying the ordinances of Christianity agreeably to the forms of the Church to which they are attachedThe EICs control over entry into India was managed through a strict licensing system Lord Melville explained that while most perfect toleration prevailed in these parts of the British dominions Scottish Church members found it almost impossible to exercise their functions This was because the Company out of zeal for the Established Anglican Church was not in the habit of granting licenses to such individuals except they were of the established ChurchThis demonstrates that the Charter system created a powerful centralised regulatory body the EIC whose control extended beyond commerce and governance into the personal spiritual lives of its European employees The exclusion was not just antiproselytisation it was a form of political and religious discrimination enforced by the Companys authorityThe SSPCK specifically prayed Parliament to provide in the new Charter Bill that its members be allowed to afford religious worship and instruction to our countrymen members of the church of Scotland who may reside in that part of the British empire A separate Church of Scotland petition had also sought provisions for its members to practice their national religionThe debate made it clear the EICs monopoly was about total control It determined who could trade excluding British private merchants in favour of foreigners who could publish requiring sanction from the government secretary and even who could travel to India to practice their faith excluding nonAnglican clergyIV The Paradox of Colonial CivilisationThe SSPCK framed the propagation of Christian knowledge as disseminating the blessings of civilisation and industry This rhetoric perfectly aligned with the broader British belief that their rule despite its political shortcomings was a force for modernisationYet this supposed civilising mission was from the Indian perspective deeply paradoxical and subservient to colonial goalsSubjugation via Education When missionaries were finally granted official permission after the Charter Act of 1813 they viewed education as a primary tool for cultural change intending to Christianising and civilising the natives These efforts while sometimes focused on social reforms like the abolition of Sati were fundamentally intertwined with the overarching goals of colonial control economic exploitation and cultural subjugation2 Economic Ruin The economic policy of colonial underdevelopment had actively dismantled Indias preexisting industrial capacity and ensured India became a subservient supplier of raw materials and a captive market for British manufactured goods Policies like the exploitative land revenue system led directly to widespread peasant misery and agrarian stagnation The British actively undermined Indian industries such as shipbuilding to protect London domestic interests in an act seen as injustice and oppression The irony of missionaries claiming to spread industry while the governing power deliberately destroyed Indian industry was stark3Suppression of Local Agency The political necessity of suppressing dissent led to the stifling of indigenous intellectual and political responses The press was fettered and any information that might empower the natives was withheld This denial of moral and political information was essential to prevent a collective anticolonial consciousness from formingThe missionary drive with its insistence that Indian life was characterised by deplorable ignorance provided a moral justification for the continuation of a rule that was by the British critics own admission fiscally corrupt and profoundly unjust It allowed the EIC to frame its military expansion like the irrepressible expansion seen in the Mahratta wars as necessary for civilising a benighted land diverting attention from the massive Indian debt incurred for the defence and protection of the British possessionsV Conclusion The Perpetuation of Controlled InteractionThe 1813 debate over missionary impediments ignited by the petition from the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge solidified the British imperial strategy regarding India Parliaments eventual cautious relaxation of the missionary licensing system part of the larger Charter Act was a compromise that sought to placate powerful evangelical interests in Britain without immediately jeopardising the EICs carefully managed despotismThe controversy confirmed that the EICs authority was nonnegotiable Whether through immediate embarkation for Europe for a dissenting journalist the imposition of exorbitant fees for civil justice or the denial of licenses to nonAnglican clergy the administration was designed to maintain total control over movement information and ideologyThe description of Indians as being in a state of deplorable ignorance was ultimately a selfserving myth The true ignorance was the willful political and intellectual blindness of the EIC regime which believed it could maintain stability by suppressing facts about its own financial insolvency military vulnerability and the systemic injustice underpinning its governanceThe decision to impose restrictions on missions was the EICs attempt to manage the immense potential energy stored in the clash between British imperial ambition and Indian cultural and social integrity It confirmed that the EIC preferred a silent predictable subject to a potentially enlightened and therefore rebellious one In the context of the Drain of Wealth and the deplorable state of jurisprudence the most profound freedom denied to the Indian population was not merely the freedom to hear foreign sermons but the freedom to organise to communicate and to legally challenge the unjust arrangement of their foreign rulersThe Author is a researcher specialising in Indian history and contemporary geopolitical affairs IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/the-unholy-barrier-how-imperial-fear-and-arrogance-fought-the-missionaries-660591.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-delegation-to-showcase-sacred-devnimori-relics-in-sri-lanka-660602.html VadodaraGandhinagar Feb 3 Gujarat will take centre stage in Indias cultural diplomacy as senior officials from the state lead the Indian delegation for the exposition of the sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka The Relics currently housed at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara will be on public display at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo from February 4 to 10 returning to India on February 11 government officials said on MondayThe delegation will be led by the Governor Acharya Devvrat and the Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanied by senior monks and officialsThe Relics will travel aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft with full state honours reflecting the reverence accorded to Indias cultural and spiritual heritageThe delegation will participate in ceremonial religious and official events in Colombo including the inauguration of the exposition and exhibitions showcasing Indias Buddhist legacyThe Devnimori Relics originate from the Devnimori archaeological site in Gujarats Aravalli district near ShamlajiExcavated in 1957 by archaeologist SN Chowdhry the site revealed significant Buddhist structures and relics dating to the early centuries of the Common EraThe Relics include a green schist casket inscribed in Brahmi and Sanskrit reading dashabala sharira nilay the abode of the Buddhas bodily relicInside a copper box contains holy ashes silk cloth beads and a goldcoated silvercopper bottleThe items are preserved in an airtight glass desiccator with a cotton base to prevent deteriorationThe exposition at Colombos Gangaramaya Temple one of Sri Lankas most prominent Buddhist institutions is expected to draw devotees from across the countryThe initiative highlights Gujarats historical and cultural significance in Buddhism and its contemporary role in supporting Indias civilisational diplomacyBy sharing the Devnimori Relics India reinforces its longstanding spiritual and cultural ties with Sri Lanka while Gujarats leadership in the delegation emphasises the states unique contribution to preserving Buddhist heritage and fostering peopletopeople connections between the two nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-delegation-to-showcase-sacred-devnimori-relics-in-sri-lanka-660602.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/dalai-lama-wins-first-grammy-says-recognition-of-shared-universal-responsibility-660532.html Dharamsala Feb 2 Globally acclaimed spiritual leader the Dalai Lama 90 has won his first Grammy Award for Best Audio Book Narration and Storytelling Recording The Nobel Peace Laureate competed against Milli Vanilliâs Fab Morvan US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson show host Trevor Noah and actress Kathy Garver RufusâWainwright accepted the award on the Dalai Lamaâs behalf during the ceremony streamed on YouTubeâMeditations The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lamaâ is the entry from the worldâs foremost Tibetan Buddhist an album of innovative collaborations with Hindustani classical influencesAtop the music are collages of his remarks on themes like mindfulness harmony and health captured over the last few years Responding to the award His Holiness said âI receive this recognition with gratitude and humility I donât see it as something personal but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility I truly believe that peace compassion care for our environment and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective wellbeing of all eight billion human beingsâIâm grateful that this Grammy recognition can help spread these messages more widelyâ he saidSixtysix years ago His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama disguised as a soldier left Norbulingka Palace in Tibet a Third Pole and escaped into exile in India after his challenging 14day journey Since then the longest most respectable staying guest of the Indian government who often says heâs enjoying every possible liberty has been toeing a path of promoting human values religious harmony besides preserving Tibetan language and culture the heritage received from the masters of Indiaâs Nalanda UniversityTenzin Gyatso 14th Dalai Lama with a retinue of soldiers and cabinet ministers escaped into exile on March 17 1959 after China crushed an uprising in TibetGlobetrotting the Dalai Lama whoâs considered a living Buddha of compassion in his latest book âIn Voice for the Voicelessâ offers insights into his decadeslong dealings with China In the book the Dalai Lama a reincarnation of past Dalai Lamas reminds the world of Tibetâs unresolved struggle for freedom and the hardship his people continue to face in their homelandThe book captures his extraordinary life uncovering what it means to lose your home to a repressive invader and build a life in exile dealing with the existential crisis of a nation its people and its culture and religion and envisioning the path forwardHe was 16 years old when Communist China invaded Tibet in 1950 only 19 when he had his first meeting with Chairman Mao in Beijing and 25 when he was forced to escape to India and became a leader in exileOn reaching India after a treacherous journey the Dalai Lama first took up residence for about a year in Mussoorie in UttarakhandOn March 10 1960 just before moving to Dharamsala a town perched on the upper reaches of north Indiaâs Kangra Valley the Dalai Lama had said âFor those of us in exile I said that our priority must be resettlement and the continuity of our cultural traditions We Tibetans would eventually prevail in regaining freedom for TibetâCurrently India is home to around 100000 Tibetans and the governmentinexile IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/dalai-lama-wins-first-grammy-says-recognition-of-shared-universal-responsibility-660532.html Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/telangana-polices-dial-112-call-centre-handled-over-500-emergency-calls-during-medaram-jatara-660488.html Hyderabad Feb 1 A temporary Dial112 emergency response call centre of Telangana Police handled over 500 emergency calls during Sammakka Saralamma Jatara at Medaram in Mulugu district The temporary facility operated from January 18 to 31 to ensure a swift emergency response and enhanced public safety during the Jatara the largest tribal festival in AsiaTelangana Integrated Command Control Centre TGICCC said on Sunday that the temporary facility was equipped with two dispatch desks and functioned roundtheclock in four shifts ensuring uninterrupted emergency response servicesAll emergency calls related to Medaram Jatara were routed to this dedicated desk for faster handling and focused coordinationThe state police last year launched a new unified emergency number 112 to help people reach the police the Fire Department the ambulance disaster relief and women and child safetyThe 112call centre operated from the Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre Building at Banjara Hills in HyderabadAt Medaram the temporary Dial112 centre handled over 500 emergency calls Each incident was promptly registered and dispatched to the nearest response vehicleField coordination and communication were effectively managed through VHF wireless systems enabling realtime updates between the control unit and ground personnelThe dispatch unit also worked in close coordination with the drone surveillance teams significantly improving situational awareness and supporting faster decisionmaking in crowd management and emergency responseThe successful functioning of the temporary DIAL112 unit played a crucial role in maintaining public safety and providing immediate assistance to the large number of devotees attending the Medaram Jatara said the TGICCC directorWhile devotees have been thronging Medaram for the last two weeks the main celebrations were held from January 28 to 31Lakhs of devotees from across Telangana and other parts of the country attended the event considered as one of the largest tribal religious congregations in the worldRooted in deep faith and ageold traditions the event concluded in a smooth and peaceful manner on SaturdayDevotees offered turmeric vermilion jaggery rice and cloth to the tribal deities Sammakka and Saralamma as part of their sacred vowsOfficials said systematic queue management and crowd regulation ensured smooth movement of devotees across the Jatara premisesAnticipating heavy footfall the state government district administration and police have made elaborate arrangements for traffic regulation queue supervision and crowd safety mechanismsThe priests took back the deities to the forests on Saturday bringing a curtain on the biennial JataraThe state government has made elaborate arrangements for the Jatara It spent Rs 251 crore for the development of Medaram and creating permanent infrastructure for JataraOver 42000 officers and employees from 21 departments were deployed to provide all amenities to the devotees About 2000 Adivasi volunteers also assisted the devoteesAs many as 13000 police personnel have been deployed for the smooth conduct of the biennial event The police used an Artificial Intelligence AI based drone policing system for effective monitoring of the congregationOver 200 expert swimmers were deployed at the Jampanna Vagu stream to prevent any untoward incident during the holy dip taken by devotees IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/telangana-polices-dial-112-call-centre-handled-over-500-emergency-calls-during-medaram-jatara-660488.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/maghi-purnima-lakhs-take-holy-dip-across-country-massive-turnout-at-prayagraj-sangam-660489.html Prayagraj Feb 1 Lakhs of devotees gathered at river ghats nationwide on Maghi Purnima amid chants drumbeats and a vast display of faith expressing their joy and spiritual satisfaction after taking a dip The Sangam in Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh saw an extraordinary turnout from the early hours amid elaborate security and administrative measures At Prayagraj pilgrims began arriving at the Sangam and other ghats from the previous night to take part in the sacred snan at the confluence of the Ganga Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati marking one of the most significant bathing rituals of the ongoing Magh MelaSpeaking to IANS Magh Mela Officer Rishi Raj said there was a continuous influx of devotees since early morningâDevotees have been arriving since last night and are taking holy dips at various ghatsâ he said adding that around 90 lakh pilgrims had taken the holy bath till 8 am with numbers expected to rise furtherThe district administration made extensive arrangements for crowd management sanitation drinking water and medical facilities while traffic diversions were enforced across the city to ensure smooth movementAdditional Police Commissioner Ajay Pal Sharma said comprehensive security measures were in placeâPolice personnel have been deployed at all major ghats and entry points Crowd movement is being continuously monitored through CCTV cameras and dronesâ he said adding that the situation remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported till the filing of this reportMaghi Purnima also saw large gatherings at other major pilgrimage centres In Ayodhya devotees took a holy dip in the Saryu River with many expressing satisfaction over the arrangements made by the administrationâWe have received all facilities and thank the government for itâ a devotee saidIn Haridwar Uttarakhand thousands of pilgrims gathered at Har Ki Pauri to take a holy dip in the Ganga while in Varanasi Uttar Pradesh devotees flocked to various ghats with priests terming Maghi Purnima as one of the most auspicious bathing days of the yearSimilar scenes were witnessed in Bhagalpur in Bihar where devotees took a dip in the Ganga at Ajgaibinath Dham and in Narmadapuram in Madhya Pradesh where large crowds gathered at Sethani Ghat on the Narmada River In Raebareli hundreds braved the biting cold to take a holy dip at Dalmau Ganga GhatIn Farrukhabad Uttar Pradesh a huge crowd gathered at the Ganga ghats with officials saying that around one lakh devotees had taken a holy dip by 10 amMeanwhile the Railways said elaborate arrangements had been made in Prayagraj for Maghi Purnima with special trains additional ticket counters and a 24hour mela control room set up to manage passenger movement during the main bathing day of the Magh Mela IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/maghi-purnima-lakhs-take-holy-dip-across-country-massive-turnout-at-prayagraj-sangam-660489.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/hindu-americans-hold-rallies-prayer-vigils-to-highlight-targeted-attacks-on-minorities-in-bangladesh-660447.html Washington Feb 1 Peaceful rallies and prayer vigils were held across nearly two dozen US cities as Hindu Americans protested what they described as targeted attacks on Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh urging the US lawmakers and international bodies to take action Demonstrations were reported in multiple cities including Princeton Los Angeles Chicago the Bay Area Detroit and Tampa Organisers said the coordinated protests aimed to raise awareness and press for accountabilityAt a Princeton rally one speaker said participants had gathered âin support of the Bangladeshi Hindus and other minorities who are going through a genocide in Bangladeshâ claiming âmore than 3000 attacksâ since last yearâItâs time to speak up Itâs time to stopâ the protester demandedProtesters in Detroit described what they called a âdripdrip genocideâ saying Hindus were being targeted and urged supporters to âcall your lawmakersâ unite locally and attend a Washington eventA Congressional hearing has been scheduled in Washington DC on February 9In Los Angeles speakers blended prayer with calls for civic action âPlease donât be silent Speak up because silence is acceptanceâ one speaker told the crowd âStand up and be countedâAn official with the Coalition of Hindus of North America said organisers have created an online petition to help people contact elected officialsâInnocent Hindus are being brutally attacked solely for their religious identityâ said FIAChicago and the National India Hub which organised a demonstration in Schaumburg Illinois âSilence and passiveness only enable genocideâ they saidOrganisers said similar events were held in Boston Houston and Los Angeles and that a congressional hearing is scheduled at the US Capitol in early February A coalition of human rights and Hindu advocacy groups including HinduPact said the protests were intended to highlight the plight of Bangladeshi minorities and push for policy attentionAt a Bay Area rally an opening statement said the movement has grown into âan unprecedented grassroots movement spanning from coast to coastâ adding âwhen innocent lives are lost silence is not an optionâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/hindu-americans-hold-rallies-prayer-vigils-to-highlight-targeted-attacks-on-minorities-in-bangladesh-660447.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 09:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-radhakrishnan-extends-thaipusam-greetings-invokes-lord-murugans-grace-for-just-prosperous-nation-660452.html Chennai Feb 1 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Sunday extended warm Thaipusam greetings to people across the country invoking the boundless grace of Lord Murugan to guide society on the path of righteousness wisdom and harmony In his message the Vice President recalled the timeless Tamil poetic imagery that celebrates Lord Murugan as the divine warrior who bears the sacred Vel the spear that destroys adharma and firmly establishes dharma He noted that Murugan depicted with six radiant faces and 12 mighty arms symbolises unmatched strength clarity of purpose and moral courage The Vel he said is not merely a weapon of war but a powerful emblem of knowledge that pierces ignorance and illuminates truth Referring to classical verses that describe Muruganâs victory over the forces of darkness CP Radhakrishnan said these ancient images continue to hold deep relevance even today âThey remind us that the fight against injustice ignorance and moral decay is eternal and that righteousness ultimately prevailsâ he said Lord Muruganâs triumph he added is a metaphor for humanityâs inner struggle to overcome ego fear and wrongdoing Highlighting the spiritual significance of Thaipusam the Vice President said the festival is a call for introspection as much as it is a celebration of faith On this sacred day devotees pray for the removal of ignorance that darkens minds allowing the light of wisdom to spread throughout society Thaipusam he said also reflects a collective aspiration for the eradication of evil the growth of goodness and the transformation of suffering into hope CP Radhakrishnan further expressed his hope that Lord Muruganâs blessings would lead to the end of poverty and the rise of prosperity replacing anxiety with peace and hardship with abundanceHe said the festival carries a universal message of compassion discipline and resilience inspiring people to act with integrity in every sphere of life Concluding his message the Vice President wished that on this auspicious Thaipusam day Lord Muruganâs complete and eternal grace would always stand by the people protecting them guiding their actions and enabling them to uphold dharma achieve success and build a happier more harmonious nation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-radhakrishnan-extends-thaipusam-greetings-invokes-lord-murugans-grace-for-just-prosperous-nation-660452.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 10:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhavnath-mahashivratri-fair-to-be-grand-and-memorable-gujarat-dy-cm-660280.html Junagadh Jan 30 The Bhavnath Mahashivratri Fair held annually at the foothills of Girnar in Junagadh is set to be the grand and memorable edition to date Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said on Friday The fair will be held from February 11 to February 15 Chairing a highlevel meeting with sadhus saints and senior administrative officials Sanghavi reviewed preparations for the smooth conduct of the fair often referred to as a âmini Kumbhâ due to its spiritual significance and scaleFor the first time the arrival of sadhus and saints will be marked by a grand city procession with a divinethemed ceremonial entry on February 11 The procession will be organised to allow devotees to witness the arrival of ascetics in a more elaborate and devotional settingSanghavi said that under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the state government is ensuring extensive arrangements for devotees and ascetics visiting the fair To allow more devotees to witness the procession of the Naga sadhus the traditional Ravedi route has been extended by 500 metres increasing it from 15 km to 2 kmThe entire route will be decorated on the theme of Lord Bhole Nath creating a devotional atmosphere throughout the city Sanghavi said special emphasis is being placed on security and crowd management While around 1600 police personnel are usually deployed during the fair the number has been increased to over 2900 this year The entire fair area will be monitored through CCTV surveillance to prevent any untoward incidents The administration has also made arrangements for parking traffic management accommodation facilities including dormitories clean drinking water and sanitation facilitiesOver 1000 local youths will be engaged as volunteers for the first time to assist in crowd management and devotee services Sanghavi added The state tourism department will decorate Junagadh city and the fair route with special lighting Multiple selfie points and information centres will be set up for devotees The royal bath Shahi Snan of the Naga sadhus will be livestreamed to enable devotees across the country to witness the eventMore than 300 social organisations have come forward to arrange accommodation and free meals prasad for devotees during the fair Adequate facilities for clean drinking water and hygienic toilets have also been ensured along the route During the meeting an official song prepared for the Mahashivratri Fair was also launchedInviting devotees from across the state and the country Sanghavi appealed to residents to warmly welcome visiting Shiv devotees and cooperate with the administration to ensure the fairs successful conduct Minister of State attended the meeting for Youth Services and Cultural Activities Jayram Gamit senior district officials representatives from pilgrimage and tourism departments sadhus saints and other members of the Junagadh district administration IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhavnath-mahashivratri-fair-to-be-grand-and-memorable-gujarat-dy-cm-660280.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bangladesh-jamaat-e-islami-ameer-says-a-woman-can-never-be-the-party-chief-660339.html Dhaka Jan 30 Bangladesh JamaateIslami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said that any woman cannot be chief of the radical party owing to religious obligations and biological limitations When asked during an Al Jazeera interview whether a woman could ever lead the party Shafiqur Rehman responded Itâs not possible Itâs not possible because Allah made everyone in its own entity Because you a man will never be able to bear a childHe further mentioned that men will not be able to breastfeed a child ever Bangladeshbased The Daily Star reported while quoting an Al Jazeera report The Jamaat party chief added This is Godgiven And there are some differences between men and women What Allah made we cannot change itOn being asked about the number of women contesting the upcoming Bangladesh polls from JamaateIslami he responded Not a single one However he termed it a matter of timing and political culture of BangladeshYou will not see any substantial number of women in other parties also because this is the cultural entity in Bangladesh But we are getting prepared for that he saidThe interviewer mentioned that women have served as Bangladeshs Prime Minister in the past In response Shafiqur Rehman reported The Daily Star quoting Al Jazeera reiterated his stance saying Even most of the countries in the world did not consider this feasible This is the reality of the worldEarlier this week a report detailed that the 13th Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh scheduled to be held on February 12 stand out for two features no participation of Awami League which is countrys oldest political party and the small number of women contesting in the pollsBangladeshs interim government led by Muhammad Yunus banned Awami League for alleged misrule resulting in the party not being able to contest polls Furthermore less number of women are contesting polls due to rising lawlessness and intolerance of women under Yunusled government a report in Eurasia Review statedWhile supporters have criticised the ban on the Awami League as its absence will raise questions on the legitimacy of the polls the civil society and political parties have accepted Yunusled governments decision to remove the oldest political party and its supporters from the political canvas of BangladeshWomen have had the right to vote in Bangladesh They have contested elections and produced two women Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League and Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP However the number of women candidates in the February 12 elections is paltry senior journalist P K Balachandran wrote in Eurasia ReviewAlthough 51 registered political parties are contesting the election more than 30 of them â including Bangladesh JamaateIslami â have not nominated even a single woman candidate Of the 2568 nomination papers submitted only 109 had been filed by women accounting for just 424 per cent of the total he statedAfter representations and revision of the list 1981 candidates including 76 females were contesting polls with women making up only 384 per cent of the total According to the Election Commission there are 6481 million men voters and 6287 million women voters on the registerOf the 51 parties that were contesting in the polls only a few have fielded women candidates The Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP had nominated women for 15 constituencies however the candidatures of only 11 were validated Nine women are contesting from Bangladesh Samajtantrik DalMarxist six each from the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal JSD and the Insaniat Biplab Bangladesh five each from the Ganasamhati Andolan and the Jatiya Party and three each from Ganaodhikar Parishad GOP Only three women from a total of 44 candidates were contesting from the National Citizen Party NCP which emerged from the mass uprising in 2024The Biplobi Workers Party has nominated two women candidates while the Bangladesh Muslim League the Communist Party of Bangladesh CPB the Bangladesh Supreme Party BSP the Bangladesh Samajtantrik DalBasosd the Bangladesh Republican Party the National Peopleâs Party NPP the Aamjanatar Dal the Islami Front Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Labour Party have all nominated one woman candidate each No woman is contesting from the JamaateIslami Islami Andolon Bangladesh the Jatiya Party the Gano Odhikar Parishad the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and other smaller partiesViolence and harassment of women is a reason for women keeping away from active electoral politics The HRW quoted data to show that genderbased violence increased between January and June 2025 compared to the same timeframe in 2024 Dr Fauzia Moslem president of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Womenâs Council of Bangladesh or BMP attributes this increase to a rise in the rhetoric of Islamic radical groups seeking to restrict womenâs free movement and participation in society Balachandran opined IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bangladesh-jamaat-e-islami-ameer-says-a-woman-can-never-be-the-party-chief-660339.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistans-christian-minority-continues-to-face-persecution-amid-state-inaction-report-660343.html Islamabad Jan 30 The World Watch List 2026 released by global Christian advocacy group Open Doors has highlighted that the Christians in Pakistan â who constitute just 18 per cent of the population â continue to face âsystemic discrimination violence forced conversions bonded labour and genderbased persecutionâ amid minimal state protection a report said on Friday It added that Pakistan remains among the top 10 most dangerous countries for Christians worldwide securing 8th position on the Open Doors World Watch List 2026 which assesses persecution of Christians in 50 countriesAccording to a report in Eurasia Review âOn 27 January 2026 Open Doors presented the World Watch List at a highlevel event at the European Parliament in Brussels hosted by the Chairs of the Freedom of Religion or Belief FoRB Intergroup MEP Miriam Lexmann EPP and MEP BertJan Ruissen ECR and cohosted by MEP Matej Tonin EPPâAddressing the question and answer session it said Joseph Janssen a Pakistani minority rights activist drew attention to the ongoing vulnerability of religious minorities despite legislative enactmentsHe said âAlthough Pakistanâs Parliament passed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act in May 2025 setting 18 as the minimum legal marriage age minority girls continue to be abducted forcibly converted to Islam and married to their abductors with little to no implementation of the law Courts continue to apply Sharia laws over ordinary civil laws in such casesââJanssen also drew attention to the misuse of Pakistanâs blasphemy laws which are frequently used to target Christians through false accusations leading to mob violence church attacks and prolonged imprisonment without justice He cited the 2023 Jaranwala attacks where at least 26 churches were burned down noting that no perpetrators have been held accountable to dateâ the report notedCiting the Pakistani governmentâs lack of action against extremist groups such as TehreekeLabbaik Pakistan TLP Janssen said that âreligious prisoners remain incarcerated victims have not received justice and impunity persistsâThe report noted that Janssen further questioned when the European Parliament would act on its 2021 resolution on Pakistanâs blasphemy laws and whether the EU would consider suspending Pakistanâs Generalised Scheme of Preferences GSP trade status over its failure to comply with human rights obligations under international conventionsEarlier this month a report in Open Doors cited that Christians in Pakistan continue to face massive challenges from the threat of violence to discrimination every day as blasphemy laws in the country are being used to intimidate them and other minoritiesAccording to the report a simple accusation can also lead to mob violence against victims and their families and the wider Christian community as the weak government and increasing influence of extreme Islamist groups imply that the Christian community has limited protection from the law further increasing their vulnerability IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistans-christian-minority-continues-to-face-persecution-amid-state-inaction-report-660343.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bengal-restaurant-employee-arrested-for-serving-beef-to-youtuber-660423.html Kolkata Jan 31 Kolkata Police arrested an employee of a popular barcumrestaurant in Park Street for allegedly serving beef instead of goat meat to YouTuber Sayak Chakraborty The arrest was made on Saturday after the YouTuber lodged a complaint at Park Street Police Station the previous nightOne employee of a popular restaurantbar at Kolkatas Park Street has been arrested on charges of serving beef instead of goat meat to a YouTuber after he lodged a complaint with Park Street police A case has been registered against the accused and an investigation into the matter is on said a senior officer of Kolkata PoliceâSayak went to the popular barcumrestaurant Olypub on Friday night with two friends According to his complaint they ordered mutton steak but were allegedly served beef insteadAfter the incident Sayak shared a video of his altercation with the waiter and manager on social media The video went viralIn the Facebook video Sayak described his ordeal He said he and his friends ordered mutton but the waiter served him beefDo you know that I am a Brahmin How can you share beef to me Sayak was heard saying in the clip In the clip the restaurant manager was seen smiling at one point This is not a matter to laugh at the actors friend saidâAfter the incident the BJP criticized and condemned the restaurantA wellknown blogger actor and his friends went to Olypub a restaurant in Park Street and ordered mutton steak But they were served beef steak instead The waiter later returned with a mutton steak saying it was a mistake Later even the manager came and tried to pass it off as a mistake with a smile Why are Hindus made a soft target Imagine the outrage if it were some other kind of meat served to some other community said BJP leader Keya Ghosh in a social media postâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bengal-restaurant-employee-arrested-for-serving-beef-to-youtuber-660423.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bdesh-rights-body-alleges-arson-attacks-on-16-minority-hindu-houses-17-killings-660429.html New Delhi Jan 30 The Rights amp Risks Analysis Group RRAG a New Delhibased rights body on Saturday alleged that 16 houses belonging to minority Hindus including seven in the past week were set ablaze It also reported that 17 Hindus were killed in Bangladesh since December 1 2025 In its latest report released on Saturday the RRAG claimed that Hindu minorities are facing targeted violence particularly arson and murder in the name of electionrelated violence allegedly perpetrated by Islamist groupsThe report stated that houses temples and other assets belonging to at least 16 Hindus including seven incidents in the past week were burnt in Mirsarai Raozan Pirojpur and Sylhet between December 1 2025 and January 31 2026The Hindu minorities whose houses were allegedly set ablaze include Tapan Dhar Amio Dhar Kanu Nath Ashok Dhar Anup Dhar and Mridul Saha from Mirsarai in Chittagong district Sukh Shil Anil Shil Bimal Talukdar Rubel Das Sadhan Barua Sona Pal and Kamini Mohan Pal from Raozan in Chittagong district one person with the surname Saha in Pirojpur and Bikash Ranjan Deb in SylhetExplaining the alleged modus operandi RRAG Director Suhas Chakma said âFires were deliberately set to temples residential homes and haystacks The doors of Hindu and Buddhist homes were locked from the outside before being set on fire with the intention of burning the occupants alive The Chittagong region has witnessed the highest number of arson attacks particularly in Mirsarai and Raozanâ âChakma further alleged that at least 17 Hindu minorities were murdered in targeted attacks between December 1 2025 and January 1 2026ââEarlier a number of murders were committed in a Talibanstyle manner by slitting throats including those of Rana Pratap Bairagi Shanto Chandra Das Jogesh Chandra Roy and Suborna Roy Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik was allegedly murdered after being set on fire in the garage where he was sleepingâ the RRAG Director said âThe RRAG also published details of the 17 minority Hindus allegedly murdered since December 1 2025 Chakma claimed that Bangladeshi authorities including Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus have repeatedly dismissed any religious motive in the attacks on Hindu minoritiesIn September 2024 Yunus had reportedly stated that there was a perception that most Hindus supported the deposed Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina and that those associated with it had faced attacks âFurther on January 19 2026 Yunus stated that from January to December 2025 there were about 645 incidents involving members of minority communities but âthe overwhelming majority of cases were criminal in nature rather than communalâ ââThis denial of any religious angle by the authorities has emboldened religious fundamentalists Out of fear of reprisals victims often describe targeted arson attacks as âaccidentsâ or âfoul playâ despite attempts to burn them alive or leave them destitute by destroying all their assets and belongingsâ Chakma allegedâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bdesh-rights-body-alleges-arson-attacks-on-16-minority-hindu-houses-17-killings-660429.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/final-rites-of-rajasthan-kathavachak-sadhvi-prem-baisa-to-be-performed-today-660185.html Jaipur Jan 30 As the death of Rajasthan Kathavachak Sadhvi Prem Baisa remains shrouded under mystery tense situation was witnessed at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur during the postmortem examination on Thursday police officials said Hundreds of devotees gathered at the hospital leading to a brief disturbance police officials added on Thursday The situation was later brought under control after the police and administrative intervention following which Sadhvi Prem Baisas body was released Sadhvi Prem Baisas last rites will be performed on Friday morning Police officials said that the cremation will take place in Jasti village of Jodhpur district around 63 km from JaipurThe Sadhvi reportedly owned land in Jasti near Agolai where she will be laid to rest Meanwhile questions surrounding the circumstances of Sadhvi Prem Baisas death continue to intensify Several devotees have raised doubts questioning both the ashram management and her family Addressing the matter the Sadhvis father claimed that her death was caused by a wrong injection and demanded justice Jodhpur Commissioner of Police West Chhavi Sharma said that according to information provided by the family members of Sadhvi Prem Baisa the latter had been unwell for the past two daysOn Wednesday she was administered an injection by an individual after which her condition deteriorated rapidly The Sadhvi was rushed to a private hospital Preksha Hospital on Pal Road where doctors declared her dead after examination Her body was subsequently brought to the Mahatma Gandhi Hospitals mortuary My daughter said only one thing to me Papa I couldnt do anything while I was alive now you get me justice her father said reiterating his demand for a thorough investigationSadhvi Prem Baisa died under suspicious circumstances on Wednesday evening at an ashram in Pal village under the Boranada police station area Since then social media has been flooded with posts questioning the cause of her death and demanding an impartial probeCalls for strict punishment of those responsible have also grown louder The mystery deepened after a post appeared on Sadhvi Prem Baisas social media account nearly four hours after her death The social media post said If not in my lifetime then I will get justice after my deathSocial media users on platforms such as X and Instagram have questioned how such a post could be uploaded after her demise sparking speculation over whether the case involves suicide medical negligence or another serious issue Police have said the matter is under investigation and further action will be taken based on the postmortem report and other evidence IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/final-rites-of-rajasthan-kathavachak-sadhvi-prem-baisa-to-be-performed-today-660185.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/final-rites-of-rajasthans-kathavachak-sadhvi-prem-baisa-to-be-performed-today-660186.html Jaipur Jan 30 As the death of Rajasthan Kathavachak Sadhvi Prem Baisa remains shrouded under mystery tense situation was witnessed at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur during the postmortem examination on Thursday police officials said Hundreds of devotees gathered at the hospital leading to a brief disturbance police officials added on ThursdayThe situation was later brought under control after the police and administrative intervention following which Sadhvi Prem Baisas body was releasedSadhvi Prem Baisas last rites will be performed on Friday morningPolice officials said that the cremation will take place in Jasti village of Jodhpur district around 63 km from JaipurThe Sadhvi reportedly owned land in Jasti near Agolai where she will be laid to restMeanwhile questions surrounding the circumstances of Sadhvi Prem Baisas death continue to intensifySeveral devotees have raised doubts questioning both the ashram management and her familyAddressing the matter the Sadhvis father claimed that her death was caused by a wrong injection and demanded justiceJodhpur Commissioner of Police West Chhavi Sharma said that according to information provided by the family members of Sadhvi Prem Baisa the latter had been unwell for the past two daysOn Wednesday she was administered an injection by an individual after which her condition deteriorated rapidlyThe Sadhvi was rushed to a private hospital Preksha Hospital on Pal Road where doctors declared her dead after examinationHer body was subsequently brought to the Mahatma Gandhi Hospitals mortuaryMy daughter said only one thing to me Papa I couldnt do anything while I was alive now you get me justice her father said reiterating his demand for a thorough investigationSadhvi Prem Baisa died under suspicious circumstances on Wednesday evening at an ashram in Pal village under the Boranada police station areaSince then social media has been flooded with posts questioning the cause of her death and demanding an impartial probeCalls for strict punishment of those responsible have also grown louderThe mystery deepened after a post appeared on Sadhvi Prem Baisas social media account nearly four hours after her deathThe social media post said If not in my lifetime then I will get justice after my deathSocial media users on platforms such as X and Instagram have questioned how such a post could be uploaded after her demise sparking speculation over whether the case involves suicide medical negligence or another serious issuePolice have said the matter is under investigation and further action will be taken based on the postmortem report and other evidence IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/final-rites-of-rajasthans-kathavachak-sadhvi-prem-baisa-to-be-performed-today-660186.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/karthigai-deepam-ritual-row-sc-issues-notice-on-pil-to-curb-communalisation-of-judicial-orders-659986.html New Delhi Jan 28 IANS The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice in a public interest litigation PIL seeking urgent directions to protect the independence of the judiciary and to prevent intimidation and communalisation of judicial orders following recent rulings delivered by Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court permitting the centuriesold Deepam ceremony at the Thiruparankundram temple in Madurai Tamil NadunbspA Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale sought responses from the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary the Home Secretary the Director General of Police DGP and the Commissioner of Police Chennai in the matternbspIssue notice Learned standing counsel for State of Tamil Nadu accepts notice and is permitted to file status report in regards to steps taken pursuant to representation made by the petitionerinperson if any the Justice Kumarled Bench ordered listing the plea for further hearing on February 2 MondayThe PIL filed by advocate GS Mani under Article 32 of the Constitution stated that the petition has been moved not to defend any individual judge but to protect the institution of judiciary ensure rule of law prevent communal polarisation and secure uniform enforcement of constitutional norms across the countryReferring to the controversy that erupted after Justice Swaminathans orders relating to the Thiruparankundram Deepam issue the petitioner has alleged that widespread public reactions including political statements protests lawyer demonstrations and social media campaigns have crossed the constitutionally permissible limits of criticism and entered the realm of scandalising the judiciary communalisation of judicial acts and interference with the administration of justiceThe petition said that judges cannot be subjected to pressure through street protests or online abuse for their judicial decisions adding that the only constitutionally recognised remedy against a judicial decision is through appeal review or other lawful proceduresnbspThe PIL cautioned that allowing such campaigns against sitting judges would have a chilling effect on judicial independence and discourage judges from discharging their duties fearlesslynbspThe plea stated that portraying a judicial pronouncement as religiously motivated undermines public faith in constitutional courts and emboldens mobdriven justice thereby posing a real and imminent threat to public order and communal harmony in Tamil NaduThe PIL said that despite the availability of legal provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita the Information Technology Act and the Contempt of Courts Act no effective preventive or corrective action has been taken to restrain unlawful assemblies near Madras High Court premises or online hate speech targeting Justice Swaminathan a constitutional authoritynbspThe petitioner said that detailed representations were submitted to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Home Secretary Director General of Police senior police officials and the Registrar General of the Madras High Court but till date no reply no response and no action have been taken on his representationsSeeking intervention by the apex court the PIL has urged issuance of directions to prevent unlawful protests against courts and judges safeguard judicial independence from political and communal pressure ensure action against hate speech and communalisation of judicial orders and direct the police machinery to uphold public order and constitutional discipline https://dailyworld.in/religion/karthigai-deepam-ritual-row-sc-issues-notice-on-pil-to-curb-communalisation-of-judicial-orders-659986.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-declines-plea-against-vip-darshan-at-mahakaleshwar-temple-659891.html New Delhi Jan 27 The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a petition challenging the practice of âVIP darshanâ and selective entry into the Garbhagriha innermost sanctum of the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain A bench headed by Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant observed that it was not a matter for judicial interferenceSensing the courts disinclination to entertain the plea the petitionerâs counsel chose to withdraw the matter with liberty to make a representation before the authorities concernedWhether it should be allowed or should not be itâs not for the apex court to decide Ideally maybe But for that let those who are at the helm of affairs take a decision not the courts the bench also comprising Justices R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi observedThe special leave petition SLP challenged the Madhya Pradesh High Court order which had dismissed the public interest litigation PIL against alleged preferential treatment being given to VIPs to enter the Garbhagriha to offer water to the deity while denying access to the general publicThe petitioner had contended that selective access to the sanctum violated Article 14 of the Constitution and amounted to discrimination on the basis of VIP status However the MP High Court in its detailed order authored by Justice Vivek Rusia had declined to interfere noting that the VIPs can enter in the Garbhagriha with a permission of Collector and Administrator of Management Committee of Mahakaleshwar Mandir and who is VIP in the opinion of Collector and Administrator of Mahakaleshwar cannot be decided in a writ petition which is purely a discretion of the competent authorityIt further observed that the âVIPâ has not been defined in any of the statutory Acts or rules hence any person who is given permission by the competent authority to enter inside the Garbhagriha may be treated as VIP on a particular day amp time scheduleHolding that the writ court cannot decide who qualifies as a VIP the MP High Court said the petitioner appeared to be âa personal aggrieved personâ and ruled that the PIL was not maintainableAt the Supreme Court the CJI also cautioned that if courts were to apply fundamental rights inside the sanctum sanctorum it could open the door to further claims If courts start regulating who should be allowed to enter or who should not be itâs too much for the courts the apex court remarked adding that applying Article 14 could lead to claims under other fundamental rights as well IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-declines-plea-against-vip-darshan-at-mahakaleshwar-temple-659891.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/baps-dispatches-first-sacred-stones-from-india-for-frances-1st-traditional-hindu-mandir-659910.html Paris Jan 27 The FrancoIndian cultural collaboration witnessed a historic milestone as the first stones from India arrived in Paris for the new Hindu Mandir in BussySaintGeorges The ceremonial welcome of these stones signalled the next phase of construction of what will be the first traditional Hindu temple of its kind in France built using timehonoured craftsmanship and shared expertiseThe stones sourced from India and prepared using traditional techniques represent centuries of architectural heritage Select elements have been handcarved by skilled artisans in India preserving ancient methods passed down through generations before beginning their journey to FranceIn France Indian artisans will work alongside French stone masons including members of the team involved in the restoration of NotreDame Cathedral uniting Indian carving traditions with Franceâs renowned stonemasonry expertiseThe ceremony marked more than the delivery of the traditionally carved stones it symbolised a meeting of cultures values and knowledgeThe Mandir is being developed as part of a broader vision to create a space dedicated not only to worship but also to culture education and community engagement Once complete it will stand as a lasting symbol of friendship between India and FranceLocal and national representatives along with community leaders attended the ceremony recognising the significance of the project for France and its role in strengthening intercultural understandingSanjay Kara CEO of the Paris Mandir construction project and a trustee of BAPS UK amp Europe shared âThe arrival of the first stones from India marks a historic milestone Each one carries heritage care and intention symbolising Indian tradition meeting French engineering through shared respect and collaboration Guided by the values and vision of Mahant Swami Maharaj whose teachings emphasise service humility and harmony it is an honour to be part of a project that brings Indian and French expertise side by side and that will grow into a mandir serving not only worshippers but the wider community as a place of culture learning and harmonyâAmbassador of India to France Sanjeev Kumar Singla attended the special assembly Sharing his impressions Singla said âThis Mandir represents a unique collaboration The stones were sculpted in India by master artisans and will be assembled here in France by French stonemasonsâsome of whom also contributed to the restoration of NotreDame Cathedral This is the meeting of two great traditions of sacred architecture united by excellence and a shared pride in craftsmanshipThe meeting of Indian and French artisans symbolised today by the exchange of friendship bracelets reflects the cooperation respect and friendship between our peoples This moment is a celebration of culture heritage and universal human valuesâAmbassador JeanChristophe Peaucelle Advisor for Religious Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs remarked âThe launch of this project this Mandir represents something very new and very innovative This is the first time a temple of this kind will be built in France The partnership between our two countries is also spiritual and humanAlain Ngouoto SousPrÃfet de Torcy commented â I also want to tell you that today is a stone in the edifice â a building block of this French Indian friendship that I am carrying forward through this ceremony Here we are receiving ancestral stones from an art dating back to time immemorial to be assembled with ingenious French expertise I believe the fusion of the two will show us how two âgeniusesâ two intelligences can together build not only a friendship but also a structure which looking at the photos will likely be resplendentâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/baps-dispatches-first-sacred-stones-from-india-for-frances-1st-traditional-hindu-mandir-659910.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-minister-sivankutty-crosses-swords-with-lop-satheesan-over-education-sabarimala-gold-heist-659914.html Thiruvananthapuram Jan 27 Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty slammed Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan on Tuesday as he rejected criticism of the stateâs public education system and escalated the political confrontation over the Sabarimala gold theft case Responding to Satheesanâs remarks on school standards Sivankutty said no other government could match the LDFâs record of investing nearly Rs 9000 crore in public education over the past decadeHe challenged the Congress to cite comparable achievements in states it governs arguing that the opposition leaderâs criticism was politically motivated and detached from factsThe minister accused Satheesan of deliberately attempting to link him with the Sangh Parivar recalling that it was the Left that closed the BJPâs account in NemomTurning the charge back on the Congress leader Sivankutty alleged that Satheesan himself had participated in RSSlinked events in the past a claim he said was supported by documentary evidenceSivankutty then spoke about the Sabarimala gold theft case accusing the Congress of hypocrisy in invoking religious sentiments while allegedly shielding those involved in the caseHe cited a photograph purportedly showing the prime accused and a recipient of the stolen gold standing alongside Congress leader Sonia Gandhi describing it as not merely a picture but a cluster of unresolved questionsSivankutty asserted that it was legally necessary for the Special Investigation Team SIT functioning under High Court supervision to question Sonia Gandhi to ascertain whether a larger criminal conspiracy existedHe raised pointed questions on how an accused individual could gain access to a highsecurity residence guarded by the SPG and whether senior Congress leaders facilitated such accessThe minister also referred to what he termed the Bellary connection claiming the stolen gold was sold in Bellary a constituency once represented by Sonia Gandhi and called for an investigation into possible hawala or smuggling linksThe minister further accused Satheesan of spreading misinformation on multiple issues including the Punarjani case alleged foreign fundraising trips the Vizhinjam port project Wayanad rehabilitation claims and incidents inside the AssemblyHe said repeated contradictions and retractions had eroded the Opposition leaderâs credibilitySatheesan has time and again attacked Sivankutty for his highly improper conduct on the floor of the assembly when he was an opposition memberOn the presentation of the state Budget in 2015 Sivankutty was seen jumping over the table on the floor of the Assembly with his dhoti folded and underwear visibleOn Tuesday Satheesan said itâs sad to see our school children studying when Sivankutty is the Education Minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-minister-sivankutty-crosses-swords-with-lop-satheesan-over-education-sabarimala-gold-heist-659914.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-christian-minorities-continue-to-face-deep-rooted-discrimination-exploitation-659936.html Quetta Jan 27 Christian rights advocates and civil society groups have severely condemned the incident of a 13yearold Christian girl being allegedly abused in Pakistan urging the countrys authorities to protect vulnerable children from similar acts of violence and humiliation in the future Local sources said the minor identified as Zarnaab was working as a domestic worker in an influential family of Pakistans Punjab province Reportedly she was tortured with household utensils sparking condemnation from Christian rights advocates and civil society groups according to a report in Pakistan Christian PostFarzana Imran a leader of LEAD Ministries a nonprofit evangelical Christian organisation condemned what she termed as harassment and inhumane behaviour of influential employers who hire underage girls from Christian families at nominal pay and abuse them She stressed that such practices showcase the deeprooted discrimination and exploitation faced by Christian minorities especially young girls who are involved in domestic labourAnother leader of LEAD Ministeries Pastor Imran Amanat stressed that lack of access to education is a key reason for pushing Christian children into exploitative labour He said This is why we continuously urge our community to prioritise education for their childrenLEAD Ministries founder Sardar Mushtaq Gill stressed that minority women and girls are disproportionately impacted by illiteracy poverty and social marginalisationHuman rights activists argue that incidents like this underscore the urgent need for stricter enforcement of child labour laws accountability for abusive employers and targeted social protection for religious minorities They warn that without systemic change poverty and discrimination will continue to trap Christian families in cycles of exploitation and fear a report in Pakistan Christian Post statedThe case has renewed calls for authorities to investigate the alleged abuse ensure justice for the victim and take concrete steps to protect vulnerable children from similar acts of violence and humiliation in the future it addedEarlier this month a federal court in Pakistan ordered the police to find and present a 13yearold Christian girl who was kidnapped converted and forcibly married to a Muslim man local media reportedA twojudge bench of Federal Constitutional Court FCC ordered police to present Maria Shahbaz and 30yearold Shehryar Ahmad in court Supreme Court Attorney Rana Abdul Hameed said that Ahmad abducted Maria Shahbaz on July 29 last year forcibly converted her to Islam and married her Christian Daily International reported Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Karim Khan Agha admitted the petition filed by Marias father Shahbaz MasihâAfter our petitions for the childâs recovery were rejected by the sessions court in Lahore and the Lahore High Court we decided to challenge those decisions before the FCC Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News quoted Hameed as sayingWe informed the court that the girl is a minor and is being subjected to rape under the guise of Islamic conversion and marriage Hameed saidAccording to Hameed Lahore police colluded with the suspect resulting in magistrate court discharging the complaint of girls family He said The girl was forced to record a statement claiming she had willingly converted to Islam and married AhmadShe also falsely stated that she was an adult despite official documentary evidence proving that she is a minor and below the legal age of marriage under provincial child marriage laws which prohibit the marriage of girls under 16 Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News quoted Hameed as sayingShahbaz Masih a driver and father of five said that his neighbour Ahmad kidnapped his daughter when she was going to a nearby shop from her home Masih registered a First Information Report FIR with Nawab Town Police Station in Lahore However police told him that Maria had recorded a statement on July 31 2025 before Model Town Judicial Magistrate Hassan Sarfaraz Cheema claiming she had willingly converted to Islam and married AhmadRights advocates say such cases follow a familiar pattern in Pakistan where kidnapped girls some as young as 10 are abducted forcibly converted to Islam and raped under the cover of Islamic marriages Victims are often pressured to record false statements in favour of their abductors while judges routinely ignore documentary evidence of age and return the children to their kidnappers as legal wives the report in Christian Daily International stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-christian-minorities-continue-to-face-deep-rooted-discrimination-exploitation-659936.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-vikramotasav-to-start-on-feb-15-in-ujjain-cm-yadav-reviews-preparations-659959.html BhopalUjjain Jan 27 Over a monthlong âVikramotsavâ dedicated to Samrat Vikramaditya will start in Madhya Pradeshâs religious city Ujjain from February 15 and will conclude on March 19 The Madhya Pradesh government following a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday released the full schedule of the events comprising religious cultural and trade activities during the mega eventThe event will commence on February 15 with the inauguration of all Shivratri fairs Kalash Yatraand âShivohamâ musical presentation by a group of renowned artists The national and international theatrical artists performing under the Vikram Theatre Festival will perform between February 16 and 25There will be an international history conclave puppet festival and research symposium between February 26 and 28 while an intellectual conclave on justice during the era of Samrat Vikramaditya will be organised between Feb 28 and March 1 which will be followed by an allIndia poetsâ conference on March 7According to the schedule the mega event also includes various other programmes such as an international festival of mythological films featuring entries from more than 20 countries Veda Antakshari and Sunrise worship at Ramghat Dutt Akhara on the occasion of Gudi PadwaOn the last day March 19 marking Varsh Pratipada and Srishti Aarambh Diwas will be celebrated as Ujjayini Gaurav Diwas âThe main event will be held on the banks of the Shipra River and will include the presentation of the Samrat Vikramaditya Award release of the Vikram Panchang 208283 and the second edition of Arsha Bharat along with the dancedrama Mahadev Ki Nadi Kathaâ according to the governmentReviewing the preparations for the event Chief Minister Yadav emphasised that Vikramotsav dedicated to Samrat Vikramaditya must ensure an effective and comprehensive presentation of all dimensions of his personality He stated that introducing the new generation to the contributions of Samrat Vikramaditya is essential for maintaining the continuity of Indian knowledge systems and cultural traditionsChief Minister Yadav also directed that science colleges engineering colleges and polytechnic institutes be associated with events highlighting the scientific aspects of Samrat Vikramaditya IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-vikramotasav-to-start-on-feb-15-in-ujjain-cm-yadav-reviews-preparations-659959.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistans-quest-for-integrated-education-remains-unfulfilled-659642.html New Delhi Jan 25 Across Pakistans religious seminaries madrasas and emerging Islamic universities the promise of blending religious teachings with modern knowledge is frequently reiterated with the institutions claiming to produce wellrounded Muslims equipped to navigate faith and contemporary life merging deen religion with duniya worldly affairs Yet in discussions ahead of the International Day for Education on January 24 a persistent question arose Do these initiatives truly foster scholars capable of engaging deeply with modern philosophy science and global ideological challenges or do they amount to superficial additions like English classes and computer trainingMuslim Network TV Pakistan reported that the urgency of genuine integration grows amid rising secularism atheism and technological shifts confronting Muslim societiesInterviews with academics Islamic scholars and policymakers reveal broad endorsement for the concept but Pakistan lacks a coherent widely respected model that meaningfully unites traditional Islamic learning with contemporary disciplinesAs per the TV report historically classical Muslim scholarship made no sharp distinction between religious and secular knowledge Jurists theologians philosophers and scientists often emerged from the same intellectual traditionIn South Asia pioneering efforts like Aligarh Muslim University and Nadwatul Ulama in Lucknow sought to respond thoughtfully to Western modernity by reimagining Muslim educationIslamic scholar Shamsuddin Shigri highlights Nadwa as one of the most earnest attempts to cultivate scholars ready to address modern philosophy science and cultural critiques of Islam the report said Nadwa generated substantial literature tackling modernism and current issues succeeding not through mere language or tech skills but through direct intellectual engagementIn contrast Shigri observes that Pakistans madrasas often limit reforms to surfacelevel tools like media training without building robust conceptual frameworks to counter contemporary objectionsSeveral institutions have pursued change In Karachi Jamiatur Rasheed has broadened its offerings with degree programmes English instruction computer courses and digital outreach said the reportThe Alimia Foundation once held promise for combining traditional studies with wider exposure though its trajectory has shifted over time mirroring inconsistencies in broader reform effortsFormer Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed recognises these steps but urges caution against exaggeration He describes progress as nascent noting the absence of serious engagement with secular philosophy or fields like ethics political thought and economics the report saidFor Ahmed the report pointed out the core challenge is epistemological no knowledge is neutral and tawhid monotheism must underpin all learning He advocates applying the Prophetic seerah to modern social political and economic problems alongside applied philosophy lamenting that few in Pakistan truly master these areasAhmed points to exceptional individuals such as Mufti Irshad chairman of the State Bank of Pakistans Sharia Board and Mufti Afnan who embody deep religious grounding alongside modern expertiseWhen such figures lead religion frames rather than supplements education Yet institutions have failed to institutionalise this approachEven luminaries like Mufti Taqi Usmani who combined modern law with Islamic jurisprudence did not establish replicating modelsMajor movements like JamaateIslami and initiatives by Dr TahirulQadri have produced writings and schools but no transformative integrated frameworkQuoting economist Khurram Ilahi from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics the TV report said he offers a broader critique viewing the issue as systemic across Pakistans education landscape Integration of religious ancient and modern scientific knowledge has seen virtually no serious effort Education has narrowed to marketdriven metrics sidelining ethics the history of ideas political thought and economic philosophyIlahi rejects the notion that modern science is inherently secular citing figures like Newton Einstein and SchrÃdinger who grappled with metaphysical questions He dismisses cosmetic additions English or computers in madrasas or Islamic studies in secular universities as insufficient Ancient wisdom should guide science not merely coexist with technical skillsIlahi critiques newer entities like AlGhazali University or MinhajulQuran for lacking philosophical depth He contrasts Pakistans approach with Indias global promotion of its heritage through thinkers like Jiddu Krishnamurti and Sadhguru noting figures like Ahmad Javed as rare examples of integrated thoughtInternational benchmarks such as Egypts AlAzhar University once commanded respect for classical Islamic sciences alongside contemporary subjects though its influence has waned Pakistan despite its resources has not built comparable credible institutions said the reportConsensus emerges that integration is essential but misunderstood Reforms prioritise employability over the intellectual synthesis needed to confront modern ideologies The challenge is civilizational requiring scholars rooted in tradition yet proficient in philosophy history and sciences supported by committed institutionsUntil achieved the vision of balanced Muslim personalities remains largely aspirational leaving Pakistans pursuit of unified education ongoing and unresolved IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistans-quest-for-integrated-education-remains-unfulfilled-659642.html Sun, 25 Jan 2026 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/venugopal-writes-to-hm-shah-cm-majhi-seeking-action-over-mob-attack-on-pastor-in-odisha-659469.html Bhubaneswar Jan 23 Veteran Congress leader and partys General Secretary Organisation KC Venugopal on Friday condemned the alleged attack on a pastor and members of the Christian community in the Parjang area of Odishas Dhenkanal district on January 4 and demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved In a letter written to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Venugopal alleged that a mob of around 40 persons reportedly comprising Bajrang Dal activists surrounded the house where the pastor was conducting regular Sunday prayers along with his wife children and seven Christian familiesThe veteran Congress leader also claimed that the pastor was detained and severely beaten his face was smeared with sindoor a garland of sandals chappals was placed around his neck and he was paraded publicly The pastor was then tied up in front of a local temple forced to eat cow dung made to chant Jai Shri Ram and compelled to drink water from a sewer Venugopal saidThis was not merely an assault it was a humiliating public lynching and an act of forced religious coercion aimed at stripping a citizen of his dignity and faith Seven Christian families have since been forced to flee their homes out of fear Such acts have no place in a civilised society Shockingly no strict action has been taken against the accused despite the size of the mob and the gravity of the crimes the veteran Congress leader addedHe said that vigilantism and mob justice cannot be tolerated especially when directed against religious minorities on unverified allegations of forced conversionHe alleged that similar attacks against minorities have also been reported in various parts of Odisha in recent times Targeting the Odisha government Venugopal noted that the state government has a responsibility to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of every citizen irrespective of faith adding that its repeated silence on such incidents only emboldens the perpetrators to act with impunityTherefore I strongly condemn this inaction and urge you to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the mob attack under stringent charges to conduct an independent timebound probe into this incident and the broader pattern of such attacks and to provide immediate protection and rehabilitation to Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik his family and the seven displaced Christian families he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/venugopal-writes-to-hm-shah-cm-majhi-seeking-action-over-mob-attack-on-pastor-in-odisha-659469.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/peaceful-friday-namaz-offered-at-bhojshala-complex-amid-tight-security-659448.html Dhar Jan 23 IANS In line with the Supreme Courts interim directive members of the Muslim community offered Friday Jumma namaz at the disputed BhojshalaKamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district Madhya Pradesh without any untoward incidentnbspThe prayers which lasted approximately 20 minutes took place between 1 pm and 3 pm as stipulated by the apex court on Thursday Under stringent security arrangements the administration facilitated the safe movement of Muslim representatives to the siteThey were transported in an armoured vehicle to the complex premises where designated separate areas had been earmarked for the namaz in line with the courts order for distinct spaces and entryexit points for both communitiesnbspFollowing the completion of prayers all participants were securely escorted back from the premises police sources saidnbspThe Supreme Courts bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi had permitted Hindu Saraswati Puja and rituals on Basant Panchami while restricting Muslim namaz to the specified twohour windowThe ruling emphasised mutual respect tolerance and full cooperation with local authorities to maintain peace at the 11thcentury ASIprotected monument long revered by Hindus as a Saraswati temple and by Muslims as Kamal Maula MosquenbspThe day saw heavy deployment of over 8000 police and paramilitary personnel across Dhar including senior officers female constables Rapid Action Force platoons and aerial surveillance via more than 20 AI dronesComprehensive 3D mapping of the area ensured roundtheclock monitoring This balanced arrangement followed intense legal proceedings with the court recording the Madhya Pradesh governments assurance of peaceful conductnbspHindu devotees had begun elaborate Saraswati Puja early in the morning amid saffron decorations and floral offerings while the Muslim side complied with the timesharing formula The incidentfree observance of both religious activities has been hailed as a positive step toward coexistence at the sensitive site Authorities continue to maintain vigilance with the larger title dispute pending before the Madhya Pradesh High Court https://dailyworld.in/religion/peaceful-friday-namaz-offered-at-bhojshala-complex-amid-tight-security-659448.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/shabarimala-gold-theft-case-ed-conducts-raids-in-bengaluru-ballari-659160.html Bengaluru Jan 20 The Enforcement Directorate ED was conducting simultaneous raids in Karnatakas Bengaluru and Ballari in connection with the sensational theft case of 45 kilograms of gold from the famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Swamy temple in Kerala The raids were being carried out at the residences and properties of the main accused Unnikrishnan Potti and other trustees officials said on TuesdayRaids are underway at the Roddam Jewellery shop in Ballari and at the premises of its owner Govardhan A team of nine officers is conducting the searches The ED is also carrying out raids at an Ayyappa temple in Srirampuram in Bengaluru In addition the residences of trustees and a property linked to the main accused Unnikrishnan are being searchedBallari gold trader Govardhan is accused of purchasing gold from the main accused Unnikrishnan Potti The investigations have revealed that Ballaribased gold trader Govardhan played a key role in the gold theft case The main accused Unnikrishnan Potti is alleged to have sold the gold stolen from the temple to Govardhan On charges of illegally purchasing 470 grams of gold Kerala SIT officials have already arrested Govardhan and he is in jailAs there is suspicion that largescale illegal money transfers took place in this case the Enforcement Directorate has now launched an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA It has also been alleged that the Sabarimala gold theft case is not limited to theft alone and influential persons may be involvedMore details are yet to emerge regarding the development The EDs official statement regarding the raid is awaited The Sabarimala gold theft case involves the alleged misappropriation or theft of gold offerings from the famous Hindu shrine The Enforcement Directorate ED was raiding specific locations in Kerala Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as part of a largescale probe into the temples gold reserves and management The ED is leading extensive searches and investigations targeting the Travancore Devasam Board TDB headquarters and homes of accused individuals The Kerala High Court has highlighted findings from chemical tests indicating discrepancies in gold plating adding weight to the theft allegations IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/shabarimala-gold-theft-case-ed-conducts-raids-in-bengaluru-ballari-659160.html Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/blasphemy-laws-in-pakistan-politicised-islamophobia-used-to-protect-extremists-report-658817.html Islamabad Jan 17 The abuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan and the politicisation of Islamophobia in Western democracies reflect a shared strategy designed to silence criticism safeguard extremist ideologies and deflect accountability a report has revealed It added that both mechanisms undermine public understanding of religion and fuel social polarisation while the actual perpetrators of violence weaponise faith to pursue their agendasâRadical extremist groups have increasingly found ways to exploit both legal frameworks and social narratives to protect violent ideologies and evade scrutiny In Pakistan blasphemy laws have frequently been misapplied often to intimidate opponents settle disputes or target religious minorities Meanwhile in Western countries the term âIslamophobiaâ is sometimes politicised to shield extremist actors from criticism and accountability Although these mechanisms exist in different contexts both function to silence dissent and distort public understanding of religion and extremismâ a report in Pakistan Christian Post detailedThe report stressed that blasphemy allegations in Pakistan disproportionately affect religious minorities particularly ChristiansCiting documented cases it said âpersonal conflicts workplace disagreements professional jealousy or religious prejudice are often escalated into criminal allegations frequently with the intent to silence or harm members of other faiths Families of the accused often face prolonged detention social ostracisation and threats of extrajudicial violenceâAccording to the report in countries without blasphemy laws extremist actors frequently exploit the politicisation of Islamophobia to shield themselves The tactic it said is commonly used to suppress scrutiny of extremist networks jihadi groups and the radicalisation of IslamâThese actors continue to carry out violent attacks under the guise of religious ideology targetting civilians security forces and state institutions In Western contexts criticism of such activities is sometimes labelled Islamophobic deliberately conflating extremist ideology with religion and shielding violent actors from accountabilityâ it mentionedThe report emphasised that the promotion of Islamic radicalisation and the use of Sharia laws to impose particular beliefs or practices cannot be considered religious freedom Such actions constitute religious coercion aimed at asserting dominance over people of other faiths including Christians and other minoritiesâUsing ideology or religious law to dominate coerce or suppress alternative beliefs transforms faith into a tool for social or political control undermining pluralism human rights and the principles of coexistence that genuine religious freedom requiresâ it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/blasphemy-laws-in-pakistan-politicised-islamophobia-used-to-protect-extremists-report-658817.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bangladesh-faces-resurgence-of-islamist-mobilisation-report-658828.html Canberra Jan 17 The revival of Tawhidi Janata â a loosely defined Islamist mobilisation in Bangladesh â is not through organised militancy but represents a morally driven form of coercive populism that flourishes where institutions falter law enforcement weakens and questions over political legitimacy persist a report has stated It added that by functioning openly and presenting the targetting of unIslamic values as a religious obligation this mobilisation enables evasion of immediate repression while reshaping public spaceAccording to a report in Australiabased âThe Interpreterâ for nearly 16 years the Sheikh Hasinaled Awami League government in Bangladesh combined elections a strong security apparatus and a stateendorsed secular âBengali nationalismâ while suppressing coopting or fragmenting Islamist parties and religious networksâPublic religiosity was tolerated but political Islam outside state control was tightly managed While this limited overt confrontation it did not erase religious politics it pushed it into informal depoliticised spaces When the system collapsed in August 2024 with Hasinaâs ouster it exposed not only a political vacuum but also a crisis of moral authorityâ it statedIn the power vacuum following Hasinaâs ouster the report said Tawhidi Janata emerged invoking religious duty to influence public lifeâIt is not a formal organisation but a label under which disparate actors converge intervening in public spaces policing behaviour disrupting cultural activities and targetting womencentric events Its power lies in ambiguity without leadership or formal structures it operates through crowds symbolism and moral pressure rather than institutional presenceâ it mentionedThe report highlighted that alleged supporters of Tawhidi Janata have carried out acts of direct violence across BangladeshâIn September 2025 a mob clashed with police in Rajbari attacking a shrine and exhuming and burning a dead body leaving one person dead and many injured In Dhaka a crowd occupied a police station demanding the release of a man detained for harassing a woman about her âinappropriateâ clothing all the while livestreaming the eventâ it detailedâThese episodes reflect a shift from clandestine to visible moral activism Emphasis is on presence â occupying streets intimidating institutions and testing state limits Economic stress and declining trust in politics amplify these episodes particularly among youthâ it further statedAsserting that the emergence of Tawhidi Janata serves as a warning for Bangladeshâs transition the report said âThe challenge is no longer only electoral or constitutional it is whether authority will be reclaimed through law and democratic legitimacy or surrendered to those claiming moral supremacy through the crowdâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bangladesh-faces-resurgence-of-islamist-mobilisation-report-658828.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/devotees-throng-haridwar-varanasi-prayagraj-to-take-holy-dip-on-mauni-amavasya-658884.html Haridwar Jan 18 A massive confluence of faith unfolded on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya as the religious cities of Haridwar Varanasi and Prayagraj witnessed an overwhelming influx of devotees Braving biting cold and dense fog millions of pilgrims reached the ghats early in the morning to take the sacred dip which is considered highly auspiciousAmid tight security arrangements devotees were later seen offering prayers and performing rituals at temples following the holy bathIn Haridwar thousands of devotees gathered at the iconic Har Ki Pauri on Sunday to take a dip in the Ganges perform traditional rituals and offer prayersThe local administration ensured smooth conduct of the bathing rituals with elaborate security crowd control measures and surveillance systems in placeSpeaking to IANS a devotee said Today is Mauni Amavasya and we are celebrating it in the traditional way I personally come here every Mauni Amavasya It has special importance for our family members and ancestorsAuthorities remained alert throughout the day to manage the continuous flow of pilgrims at the ghatSimilar scenes were witnessed in Varanasi where thousands of devotees thronged the Ganges ghats to observe Mauni AmavasyaA devotee speaking to IANS said It is the ninth day of the Krishna Paksha Mauni Amavasya On this day people observe fasts donate as per their capacity perform puja and offer prayersThe ghats of the ancient city resonated with devotional chants as devotees immersed themselves in rituals despite the cold weatherVedic priest Vivekananda at Dashashwamedh Ghat said that devotees observing the Mauni fast during the Krishna Paksha of the Magh month come specially to perform rituals in the GangesHe told IANS that after bathing in the holy river devotees pay homage to their ancestors and pray for their peace and wellbeingChildren are also participating in the rituals with deep devotion reflecting the spiritual significance of the occasion across generations he addedMauni Amavasya also marked the third and largest bathing day of the ongoing Magh Mela in PrayagrajFrom early Sunday morning a huge number of devotees arrived at the Sangam Ghat despite dense fog and cold conditions to take the holy dipAstrologer Ashutosh Varshney told IANS The significance of the Mauni Amavasya bath is immense According to beliefs 330 million deities visit Prayagraj and observe a vow of silence while taking the holy dip which highlights the spiritual importance of this ritualSeveral devotees said that they had started their journey around midnight to reach the Sangam on time for the auspicious bathIt is Mauni Amavasya and we came here to take a holy dip We are now returning home after completing the ritual a devotee saidMany pilgrims also appreciated the arrangements made by the authorities during the Magh Mela calling them efficient and wellmanagedTo ensure safety and smooth movement of pilgrims strict security and traffic arrangements were put in place at the Sangam GhatNDRF and SDRF teams were deployed while CCTV cameras and drones were used for constant monitoringDivisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal said that around fifty lakh devotees had taken the holy dip at various ghats since 6 pm on SaturdaySpeaking to IANS she said Although the crowd was larger than expected adequate facilities had been arranged and the bathing process was proceeding smoothly and in an orderly mannerDistrict Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said that the main bathing ritual of Mauni Amavasya was taking place on Sunday and a large number of devotees had been bathing continuously since midnightHe said the process had been going on for over six hours without any disruption and devotees were present at every ghat taking the holy dip peacefully IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/devotees-throng-haridwar-varanasi-prayagraj-to-take-holy-dip-on-mauni-amavasya-658884.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/hindu-organisation-moves-sc-seeking-exclusive-access-in-bhojshala-on-basant-panchami-658922.html Bhopal Jan 18 The longstanding dispute over the BhojshalaKamal Maula complex in Dhar Madhya Pradesh has intensified as Basant Panchami coincides with Friday on January 23 2026 In a fresh development the Hindu Front for Justice has approached the Supreme Court with an urgent application seeking âexclusiveâ access for Hindus to perform âGoddess Saraswati Pujaâ throughout the day on January 23The site a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India ASI is claimed by Hindus as an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess âVagdevi Saraswatiâ built by Parmar king Raja Bhoja in the 11th century and by Muslims as the Kamal Maula MosqueThe plea demands to âprohibitâ from allowing any member of the Muslim community to offer namaz prayer that day strict security arrangements by the ASI and state government and an expedited hearing of the main case pending before the apex courtThe application highlights a critical ambiguity in the ASIs April 7 2003 order which allows Hindus to worship every Tuesday and on Basant Panchami while permitting Muslims to offer Friday prayers from 1 pm to 3 pm The directive remains silent on scenarios where Basant Panchami falls on a Friday as it does this yearHindu groups argue that Basant Panchami holds profound sacred significance in Sanatan Dharma as the birth anniversary of Goddess Saraswati traditionally marked by uninterrupted worship at the site They contend that overlapping observances have historically led to disorder clashes and even communal violence on such rare coinciding daysThe plea further alleges that allowing Friday namaz without conclusively determining the monuments religious character violates the spirit of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains AMASR Act It emphasises the long tradition of Hindu worship at the complex and claims the ASIs arrangement infringes on exclusive rights to perform puja on this auspicious dayThe broader dispute traces back to historical claims Hindus assert the structure originated as a centre of Vedic learning and Saraswati temple before alleged destruction and conversion during medieval invasions while Muslims maintain continuity of worship at the mosque named after Maulana Kamaluddin ChishtiMadhya Pradesh High Court in its order dated July 22 2024 declined to proceed further with WP No 104972022 concerning the Bhojshala dispute in Dhar Citing the Supreme Courts interim order dated April 1 2024 in the connected SLP the bench refrained from considering the ASI report or passing any operative ordersThe matter will now be listed only after the apex courts final disposal or further directionsWith the main caseâchallenging the sites religious character and ASI survey findingsâalready pending in the Supreme Court tagged with other Places of Worship Act matters the fresh plea underscores escalating demands amid the calendar overlapLocal authorities in Dhar have heightened security deploying thousands of personnel to prevent any untoward incidents on January 23 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/hindu-organisation-moves-sc-seeking-exclusive-access-in-bhojshala-on-basant-panchami-658922.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/flower-petals-showered-on-devotees-at-triveni-sangam-as-thousands-take-holy-dip-on-mauni-amavasya-658932.html New Delhi Jan 18 IANS On the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya thousands of devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj to take a holy dip during the ongoing Magh Mela Adding to the spiritual fervour flower petals were showered on devotees from a helicopter as they performed ritual bathing at the confluence of the Ganga Yamuna and the mythical SaraswatiDespite severe cold weather conditions faith and devotion remained undeterred as pilgrims from across the country arrived in large numbers from the early hours of the morning Authorities made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth movement security and crowd management at the SangamExplaining the spiritual significance of the day a devotee said Today a remarkable confluence of events has occurred The Shravana Nakshatra rarely falls on Amavasya and having it coincide with Amavasya today is considered extremely auspicious This is the day of Mauni Amavasya and there is a special practice associated with it while taking a holy dip one must observe silenceMauni Amavasya holds immense importance in Hindu tradition It is believed that observing silence maun vrat and taking a holy bath on this day helps in spiritual purification and attainment of inner peace The day is also regarded as one of the most sacred bathing dates during the Magh MelaRenowned spiritual leader Shankaracharya Narendranand Saraswati also took a holy dip at the Sangam on Mauni Amavasya Speaking on the occasion he said that the holy baths on Mauni Amavasya Magh Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh are considered especially sacred and hold deep spiritual significance for devoteesPilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements despite the biting cold One devotee said Taking a holy dip on Amavasya felt very good For us it is a mahaparv Even though the cold is severe all arrangements were smooth and we were able to do darshan without any difficultyAnother devotee echoed similar sentiments saying Even severe cold cannot alter peoples faith Despite the cold people are arriving here in large numbers to take a holy dip on AmavasyaThe showering of flower petals from the helicopter created a visually striking and spiritually uplifting atmosphere drawing praise from devotees https://dailyworld.in/religion/flower-petals-showered-on-devotees-at-triveni-sangam-as-thousands-take-holy-dip-on-mauni-amavasya-658932.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/all-flyovers-to-be-shut-in-hyderabad-in-view-of-shab-e-meraj-gatherings-658629.html Hyderabad Jan 16 All flyovers in Hyderabad will remain closed on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday in view of âShabeMerajâ Traffic police announced that Necklace Road around Hussain Sagar lake and all flyovers will be closed after 10 pm to regulate traffic and to ensure road safetyD Joel Davis Joint Commissioner of Police Traffic said Greenlandâs Flyover PVNR Expressway and Langar House flyovers will not be shutFurther Telangana Talli Shaikpet Manmohan Singh and Bahadurpura X Road flyovers will be closed on need basisHe requested all citizens to take note of the diversions and take alternate routes to reach their destinations and cooperate with the Hyderabad Traffic PoliceCommuters have been requested to follow the traffic updates on Hyderabad Traffic Policeâs social media platformsIn case of any emergency in travel commuters may contact traffic helpline 9010203626 for travel assistanceThe intervening night of Friday and Saturday holds special significance for Muslims Special congregations are held at mosques to mark âShabeMerajâ a significant event in Islamic history It is celebrated on the 27th day of the month of Rajjab the seventh month of the Islamic calendarLiterally meaning night of ascent âShabeMerajâ marks the journey of Prophet Muhammad from Grand Mosque in Mecca to Masjid AlAqsa in Jerusalem and from there to the heavensMeanwhile Hyderabad police are making elaborate security arrangements to maintain peace and law and orderPolice personnel will be deployed near places of worship in communallysensitive areas in the old cityA tight vigil will be maintained in view of the recent communal tension in Puranapul area following vandalism at two religious structures on the night of January 14According to police an unidentified individual entered Puranapul Darwaza Mysamma Temple and partially damaged a flexi banner and an idol located in the temple verandaFollowing this incident a mob of approximately 300 people gathered and vandalized a nearby âChillaâ They also attacked the police personnel who were trying to bring the situation under control Four police personnel sustained severe injuries in this attackPolice have registered separate cases in connection with both the incidents and arrested a suspect involved in damaging of a flexi banner and a POP idol in the temple premises IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/all-flyovers-to-be-shut-in-hyderabad-in-view-of-shab-e-meraj-gatherings-658629.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/modhera-sun-temple-to-host-2-day-uttarardh-mahotsav-2026-on-jan-1718-658651.html Mehsana Jan 16 The iconic and ancient Sun Temple at Modhera in Gujarats Mehsana district is set to come alive with classical dance traditions as the state prepares to host the twoday Uttarardh Mahotsav 2026 on January 17 and 18 Organised by the states Sports Youth and Cultural Activities Department the Office of the Commissioner of Youth Services and Cultural Activities and the district administration the festival celebrates Indias revered guruâshishya dance heritageThe festival which begins at 630 pm on both evenings will bring together some of the countrys most renowned classical dancers offering art enthusiasts an opportunity to witness exquisite performances against the spectacular backdrop of Modheras Sun TempleAs part of the Uttarardh Mahotsav artists will present a rich array of classical dance forms including Odissi Bharatanatyam Kathak Manipuri Kuchipudi Kathakali and SattriyaOn January 17 the opening day of the festival audiences will witness an impressive lineup of classical performances including Odissi by Raminder Khurana Bharatanatyam by Meenakshi Shrian and Peri Krishna Harshita Kathak by Maya Kulshreshtha Manipuri by Shruti Bandopadhyay and Kuchipudi by Beena MehtaThe celebration continues on January 18 with equally captivating presentations Kathakali by Manikandan A Kathak by Khushbu Panchal Bharatanatyam by Jugnu Kiran Kapadia Kuchipudi by Madhuri Majmudar Sattriya by Dimple Saikia and Odissi performances by Pushpita Mishra and Arya NandeUttarardh Mahotsav is traditionally held at Modhera to mark a special celestial moment the period between the Suns transit from Sagittarius to Capricorn when uttarayan has begun and days gradually lengthenHistorically this time symbolised renewal and the Suns upward movementThe Modhera Sun Temple celebrated for its extraordinary ancient engineering aligned with solar geometry provides a fitting sacred stage for this classical arts festival and embodies Gujarats rich cultural legacyTo ensure smooth execution of the festival a review meeting was recently held at Modhera Sun Temple under the guidance of District Collector SK Prajapati and chaired by Resident Additional Collector Jaswant K JegodaOfficials were directed to ensure seamless arrangements and a memorable experience for artists and audiences alikeThe district administration has extended an open invitation to the people to attend and immerse themselves in this divine celebration of classical dance at one of Gujarats most historic and spiritually significant heritage sites IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/modhera-sun-temple-to-host-2-day-uttarardh-mahotsav-2026-on-jan-1718-658651.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 19:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/protests-in-support-of-iran-held-in-kashmir-post-friday-prayers-658655.html Srinagar Jan 16 Massive postFriday prayer protests broke out in different parts of Kashmir to show solidarity with Iran and to condemn Israel A large demonstration was taken out today after Friday prayers in Budgam town as hundreds of Muslims gathered to express solidarity with Iran the Iranian people and with Ayatollah Sayyid Ali KhameneiThe protesters strongly condemned what they described as systematic and deliberate attempts by the United States and Israel to foment unrest and destabilise IranAddressing the large gathering Jammu and Kashmir AnjumaneSharie Shian President Aga Syed Hassan AlMoosavi AlSafavi strongly criticised the US and Israel for pursuing policies aimed at undermining Iranâs sovereignty stability and internal peaceHe said that sustained economic pressure media warfare and subversive tactics employed to weaken Iran have failed in the past and will continue to collapse in the face of the Iranian nationâs resolve awareness and steadfast resistanceAga Syed Hassan congratulated the Iranian people for their unwavering support trust and loyalty to the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei describing it as a clear reflection of Iranâs political maturity religious consciousness and principled resistance against arrogant and hegemonic powersHe remarked that the Iranian nation has once again demonstrated that it will not bow before external pressure propaganda or engineered unrestClarifying the current situation Aga Syed Hassan asserted that the recent disturbances have been effectively curbed and that peace has been fully restored with the situation now calm and under controlHe stressed the urgent need for restraint prudence and responsible conduct by all stakeholders and appealed to the media to adhere to responsible and factual reporting avoiding sensationalism misinformation and narratives that could inflame tensionsHe further stated that the voices raised in Budgam today echo the collective conscience of the Muslim Ummah and convey an unambiguous message that interference domination and conspiracies by antiIslam forces will not be toleratedHolding the United States and Israel responsible for instability in the region and across the Muslim world he urged the international community to take serious note of their aggressive and destabilising policiesThe protest concluded peacefully with participants raising powerful slogans in solidarity with Iran against imperialist forces and in support of oppressed nationsThe demonstrators reaffirmed their firm rejection of any foreign interference in Iranâs internal affairs and reiterated their commitment to justice sovereignty and resistance against oppressionSimilar protests in favour of Iran and condemning Israel and the US were held at some other places in the Valley as well IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/protests-in-support-of-iran-held-in-kashmir-post-friday-prayers-658655.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/haridwar-posters-barring-non-hindus-from-entry-come-up-at-har-ki-pauri-658670.html Haridwar Jan 16 Amid the growing demand for prohibiting entry of nonHindus in Haridwarâs Har ki Pauri posters came up at the worldfamous religious site which unambiguously designate the area as âofflimits for nonHindus The posters declaring the Har ki Pauri area a purely âHindu zoneâ is set to deepen the controversy and set to ignite a fresh round of sparring between various stakeholdersThe posters put up by Shri Ganga Sabha read NonHindus Prohibited Entry Zone However the outfit has claimed that the purpose behind this move is to simply inform people and doesnât have any ill intentionsShri Ganga Sabha President Nitin Gautam speaking to IANS about the development said Basic knowledge of the law is essential for every citizen After some incidents that have come to light recently the Ganga Sabha felt that it had become very important to make people aware of the rules and regulations With this objective awareness boards have been put up at major public places in Haridwar so that the general public devotees and tourists can be informed about the law and also be able to obtain information from relevant authoritiesNitin Gautam further said that two to three incidents occurred in the recent past which showed that the lack of correct information was the real reason behind the dispute and discord He said that the purpose of these banners was to make people aware of their rights and duties so that law and order are strengthened and peace and harmony prevail in societyNotably the demand to ban the entry of nonHindus in Haridwar has been raised for a long time particularly in light of the upcoming Ardh Kumbh festival next yearEarlier Shri Ganga Sabha President Nitin Gautam had mentioned the bylaws in an interview He had said that the British government under the leadership of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya had created municipal bylaws for Haridwar and the Ganges and that laws for Haridwar should still be made according to those same municipal bylawsBefore Haridwar temples in South India such as the Tirupati Balaji Temple Guruvayur Temple Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Lingaraj Temple have prohibited the entry of nonHindus while some temples require devotees to take an oath in the name of faith demonstrating their devotion to the deity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/haridwar-posters-barring-non-hindus-from-entry-come-up-at-har-ki-pauri-658670.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 21:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/will-abide-by-sikh-clergys-verdict-says-punjab-cm-after-meeting-akal-takht-jathedar-658412.html Amritsar Jan 15 IANS Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that he had submitted his clarification to Akal Takhts acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj over his alleged remarks on the Sikh code of conduct and an objectionable video and would abide by the verdict pronounced by the Sikh clergynbspAfter the nearly hourlong meeting with Giani Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula here Mann in a media interaction said They said they would go through the explanation and take a decision accordingly I will abide by the verdict pronounced by the Sikh clergyCM Mann who arrived barefoot appeared before Giani Gargaj at the Akal Takht Secretariat after being summonednbspHe was handed over the Sikh Rehat Maryada book by the Jathedar of the highest temporal seat of SikhsGiani Gargaj told the media that CM Mann admitted at the meeting that he shouldnt have to say certain things onnbsp religious affairs of the Sikhs and assured him that he would desist from making any such statements in the futurenbspThe explanation given by CM Mann on the charges of religious misconduct would be taken up in the next meeting of the five Sikh high priests he saidnbspAccepting that punishment for an apostate Sikh could not be pronounced from the Akal Takht Giani Gargaj said the punishment could be in the form of a direction to the Sikh sangatnbspWithout mincing words he said a forensic examination would be conducted of the viral video purportedly showing the CMEarlier citing objectionable videos circulating on social media Giani Gargaj had claimed that Manns actions towards images of the Sikh Gurus and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were disrespectfulnbspHe had said the Chief Ministers antiSikh statements reflected the arrogance of powernbspCM Mann was the third Chief Minister summoned by the Akal Takht after Parkash Singh Badal and Surjit Singh BarnalanbspBadal was summoned in 1979 by then Jathedar Sadhu Singh Bhaura over his role in the SikhNirankari clash that claimed 13 lives in Amritsar Barnala was declared tankhaiya guilty of religious misconduct in 1986 and excommunicated for ordering police action inside the Golden Temple Later he sought atonement in 1988A day earlier CM Mann in a statement to the media had said I will appear before Sri Akal Takht Sahib as a devout Sikh and there is no question whatsoever of seeking any change in the timingnbspHe said January 15 has been fully dedicated to Akal Takht Sahib in accordance with the orders of the Jathedar and that he has no other programme scheduled for the daynbspEmphasising the sanctity of the institution he had said Sri Akal Takht Sahib is sacred for every Sikh and is regarded as the highest temporal seat of our communityReiterating his complete reverence for the authority of the Takht CM Mann had said Any command or order from Sri Akal Takht Sahibji is acceptable to me with full reverence and will be obeyed Sri Akal Takht Sahibji is above everything for me Any order received from that sacred Takht will be followed in true letter and spirit The command of Sri Akal Takht Sahibji is was and will always remain supreme for me and my family https://dailyworld.in/religion/will-abide-by-sikh-clergys-verdict-says-punjab-cm-after-meeting-akal-takht-jathedar-658412.html Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-lord-surya-bless-us-all-pm-modi-extends-makar-sankranti-greetings-658263.html New Delhi Jan 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended heartfelt greetings to the countrymen on Makar Sankranti and wished for prosperity and success for all Taking to X PM Modi said Heartfelt wishes to all fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti May this divine moment filled with the sweetness of sesame seeds and jaggery rooted in Indian culture and traditions bring joy prosperity and success to everyones life May Lord Surya bless us allMakar Sankranti Magh Bihu or Pongal are the harvest festivals of India and showcase the richness of the traditions Through these festivals people celebrate nature cultural diversity and community harmonyThese festivals are rooted in farming culture and also signify seasonal changeUnion Minister JP Nadda also wished the countrymen stating I extend my heartfelt greetings to all fellow citizens on the sacred festival of Makar Sankranti associated with righteousness service and charityThis enriching festival of Indian culture and traditions imparts a message of positivity equality and dedication to society May this holy festival bring health prosperity and good fortune to everyones life this is my prayer to Lord Surya he addedExternal Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar took to X and said Warm greetings on Makar Sankranti Magh Bihu and Pongal May the festivals bring wellbeing peace and abundance for allDelhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta took to social media to extend heartfelt greetings on Makar SankrantiThis festival of Sankranti symbolises the wondrous harmony between nature and our eternal Sanatan culture inspiring us toward altruism virtuous deeds and noble resolutions We pray to the Sun God that by His boundless grace our Delhi continues to advance on the path of progress and may joy health and prosperity permeate the life of every Delhiite she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-lord-surya-bless-us-all-pm-modi-extends-makar-sankranti-greetings-658263.html Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-wishes-people-of-ktaka-andhra-and-tgana-through-special-letters-on-makar-sankranti-658276.html New Delhi Jan 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Makar Sankranti greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh Telangana and Karnataka through a special letter on Wednesday Makar Sankranti also celebrated as Magh Bihu or Pongal across parts of the country is the harvest festival that showcases the richness of the traditionsThrough these festivals people celebrate nature cultural diversity and community harmony These celerations are rooted in farming culture and also signify seasonal changeIn his letter PM Modi said On the auspicious occasion of Sankranti I convey my warmest greetings to you and your family Sankranti marks a period of hope and positivity when the movement of the sun signals new beginningsCelebrated in different forms yet with the same enthusiasm across the country the Prime Minister said that the festival reflects the richness of our cultural landscape and reminds us of the spirit of togetherness that binds us allThis festival also holds a special place in the lives of our farmers and their families It is about expressing gratitude to those who nourish us thus strengthening our society he saidSankranti encourages us to look ahead with confidence and optimism May this year be filled with prosperity positivity and good health May there be happiness in your home success in all your endeavours and harmony in society the Prime Minister addedMakar Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is known as Pedda Panduga while in Karnataka it is known as Suggi HabbaEarlier in the day PM Modi also extended heartfelt greetings to the countrymen on Makar Sankranti and wished for prosperity and success for allTaking to X PM Modi said Heartfelt wishes to all fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti May this divine moment filled with the sweetness of sesame seeds and jaggery rooted in Indian culture and traditions bring joy prosperity and success to everyones life May Lord Surya bless us all IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-wishes-people-of-ktaka-andhra-and-tgana-through-special-letters-on-makar-sankranti-658276.html Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pongal-shining-symbol-of-richness-of-tamil-traditions-pm-modi-in-special-letter-to-tn-658285.html New Delhi Jan 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended Pongal greetings to the people of Tamil Nadu calling it a shining symbol of the richness of Tamil traditions Pongal an important festival for Tamils across the globe represents a thanksgiving to nature the sun livestock and farmers It is customarily observed as a family celebration that epitomises abundance appreciation and unityIn his special letter to the people of Tamil Nadu PM Modi greeted the citizens with Vanakkam and said I extend my heartfelt greetings to you and your family on the joyous occasion of Pongal This special festival reminds us of the close relationship between human labour and the rhythms of natureHe said that Pongal is a festival deeply connected with agriculture hardworking farmers rural life and the dignity of workFamilies come together to prepare traditional dishes and share joy and goodwill This strengthens bonds across generations and reinforces the spirit of togetherness Pongal is also about expressing gratitude to all those who enrich our lives with their hard work he addedCalling Pongal a shining symbol of the richness of Tamil traditions PM Modi said We in India take pride in the fact that we are home to the oldest language in the world Tamil It is gladdening to see Pongal emerge as a global festival celebrated enthusiastically in Tamil Nadu in different parts of India and by the Tamil community across the worldOnce again warm Pongal wishes to you May this festival bring an abundance of prosperity success and good health to everyones lives he addedMeanwhile the Prime Minister will attend the Pongal celebrations at the residence of Union Minister L Murugan in New Delhi later in the dayAdditionally on January 23 PM Modi will travel to Chennai and address a public rally as Tamil Nadu is scheduled to go to the polls in the coming months This will be the Prime Ministers first visit to the state in 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pongal-shining-symbol-of-richness-of-tamil-traditions-pm-modi-in-special-letter-to-tn-658285.html Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-chandrababu-naidu-participates-in-sankranti-celebrations-in-native-village-658225.html Amaravati Jan 13 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his family members on Tuesday participated in Sankranti celebrations in his native village Naravaripalle in Tirupati district The Chief Minister along with his wife Bhuvaneswari son Nara Lokesh daughterinlaw Brahmini grandson Devansh Brahminis mother and actor Balakrishnas wife Vasundhara participated in the celebrationsVarious competitions were organised as part of the Sankranti festivities Bhuvaneswari and Brahmini inspected the Muggulu or Rangoli design competitionDevansh took part in various games organised as part of the festivities CM Chandrababu Naidu and his family members watched the gamesEarlier the Chief Minister received representations from villagers and interacted with them about their problemsThe Chief Minister will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several development projects in Naravaripalle as well as in TirupatiHe will inaugurate a road an electricity substation a Skill Building Centre constructed at a cost of Rs 14 crore to provide industryoriented training to youth and the Sanjeevani projectIn Tirupati the Chief Minister will inaugurate the patient attendant amenities complex built at a cost of Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government Hospital a Boys Hostel constructed at a cost of Rs 75 crore at SV University and a Girls Hostel built at a cost of Rs 5 croreHe will also lay the foundation stone for a project costing Rs 126 crore to transport water from the Neeva Branch Canal to the Kalyani Dam Moolapalli tank and four other tanks to ensure water supply in Moolapalli Additionally he will lay the foundation stone for an animal shelter complex to be constructed at a cost of Rs 10 lakhAt SV University the Chief Minister will lay foundation stones for centralised advanced research laboratories costing Rs 6 crore to promote research and innovation construction of the second floor of an academic building at a cost of Rs 503 crore as part of educational infrastructure development and a compound wall to be built at a cost of Rs 291 croreThe Chief Minister along with his family members reached Naravaripalle on Monday for a fourday stay to participate in Sankranti celebrationsEvery year CM Chandrababu Naidu celebrates the festival in his native village along with his familySankranti or Makara Sankranti is the biggest festival in Andhra Pradesh The festival marks the end of the winter harvest season of rabi crops and the beginning of the next sowing season kharif IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-chandrababu-naidu-participates-in-sankranti-celebrations-in-native-village-658225.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-slams-sit-for-dilly-dallying-on-arrest-of-top-cops-father-in-sabarimala-heist-case-658084.html Kochi Jan 12 The Kerala High Court on Monday issued a scathing rebuke of the Special Investigation Team SIT handling the Sabarimala gold theft case over its failure to arrest accused KP Sankaradas The bench noted that Sankaradas a former member of the Travancore Devaswom Board TDB has been hospitalised since being named as an accused and that his son a top police official accompanied him to the hospital questioning the legitimacy of the reasons given for his nonarrestThe criticism came while the court was hearing the bail pleas of three accused â gold trader Govardhan former Devaswom Board President A Padmakumar and Murari Babu It adjourned the hearing to deliver its judgment at a later dateExpressing its displeasure at the SITâs conduct the court asked how such irregularities could occur in the state and declared it could not accept the actions of the investigation officers or the SITThe court also took a critical view of the role of sponsors linked to the Sabarimala temple administrationIt remarked that the investigation seemed aimed at catching a big fish by using a small bait highlighting the perceived flaws in the SITâs approachIt reiterated that Padmakumar cannot evade responsibility for his actionsQuestioning the boardâs relevance the court asked why it exists if all matters could have been handled by a single person Unnikrishnan PottiIncidentally Potti is the first accused in the case and along with him 11 others are in jailSankaradas along with Padmakumar and NVijayakumar were the board members when this heist took place and the last two both top CPIM leaders are in jail the former is in a hospital hereIn his bail plea accused Govardhan claimed responsibility for applying gold to the Sreekovil doors at Sabarimala stating that the work cost Rs 35 lakh IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-slams-sit-for-dilly-dallying-on-arrest-of-top-cops-father-in-sabarimala-heist-case-658084.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/europe-should-draw-lessons-from-indias-strategic-autonomy-report-658105.html New Delhi Jan 12 India pursued strategic autonomy in 2025 which was aimed not at dominating the international system but at balancing it drawing on historical experience and emphasising institutional continuity economic resilience and multidimensional diplomacy observed a recent report in Europe During the Mughal period the Indian subcontinent functioned as a balancing pillar within a fragmented regional system not through constant military expansion but with administrative cohesion economic strength and controlled management of rivalries according to an opinion piece in EuropaWireUsing different means presentday New Delhi follows a similar logic avoiding absolute alignments investing in institutional continuity and transforming economic resilience and multidimensional diplomacy into tools of geopolitical influence it saidThe article explores how Indiaâs evolving foreign policy of strategic autonomy has become a central pillar of its global engagement and why this approach offers valuable lessons for Europe as it grapples with fragmentation economic pressures and geopolitical uncertaintyIndiaâs policy is framed not as passive nonalignment but as active multialignment where it engages simultaneously with the United States the European Union and organisations like the BRICS and G20 while avoiding dependency on any single blocAt the BRICS Summit in Rio in 2025 India championed Global South representation and multilateral cooperation Meanwhile last yearâs G20 Summit in Johannesburg saw India push climate resilience and development priorities reinforcing its role as a bridge between developed and developing nationsThese moves highlight Indiaâs ability to shape agendas without being subsumed by larger powers the report said This allows India to maximise leverage diversify partnerships and maintain flexibility in a multipolar worldIt pointed out that political stability under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has enabled India to absorb external shocks where even aggressive US trade policies in Donald Trumpâs current term did not derail New Delhiâs trajectory thanks to internal cohesion and economic resilienceWith China the report observed that border tensions and systemic differences remain central to Indiaâs strategic calculations where New Delhi leverages its democratic model as a counterweight to Beijingâs authoritarianismAlso economic growth remained the foundation of Indiaâs global influence it said adding that India sustained one of the highest growth rates among major economies in 2025 with GDP expanding by approximately 67 per cent and exceeding 8 per cent in one quarter driven by strong domestic demand and investmentIndiaâs exports and trade demonstrated notable resilience despite international headwinds it opinedTotal exports of goods and services estimated at 7399 billion in November 2025 were up 155 per cent in yearoveryear terms while cumulative exports from April to November reached approximately 562 billion registering an increase of 54 per centThese figures reflect that the governmentâs emphasis on manufacturing and skills development was paying dividends turning trade policy into a flexible instrument of foreign policyAdditionally the year saw India secure improved access to key markets through free trade agreements FTA with New Zealand the United Kingdom and Oman while strengthening ties with Gulf states and Southeast Asia and laying the groundwork for new agreements including with the United States in 2026 Alongside New Delhi also paid attention to national securityFollowing the achievement of its objectives in a brief conflict with Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack New Delhi renewed its emphasis on modernising the armed forces and developing indigenous defence technologiesWhile strikes on Pakistani military infrastructure under Operation Sindoor highlighted Indiaâs increased precision and operational capability New Delhi exhibited its intent to act as a mature and responsible power by avoiding undue escalationAt the same time heavy investment in indigenous defence technology and military modernisation is seen as both a sovereignty safeguard and a tool for strategic influenceWhen Europe is facing inflation geopolitical instability and dependence on external actors New Delhiâs emphasis on unity predictability and strategic coherence is directly relevant to the euro crisis and geopolitical fragmentation it further addedDeeper IndiaEU cooperation in trade technology and defence is framed as imperative to safeguard sovereignty against the weaponisation of economic power by major actors the article concluded Incidentally the IndiaEU FTA is likely to be firmed up later this month IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/europe-should-draw-lessons-from-indias-strategic-autonomy-report-658105.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/president-murmu-extends-greetings-for-lohri-makar-sankranti-pongal-magh-bihu-658135.html New Delhi Jan 12 President Droupadi Murmu on Monday greeted citizens on the eve of Lohri Makar Sankranti Pongal and Magh Bihu which fall on January 13 and 14 respectively a statement said In a message the President has said âOn the auspicious occasion of Lohri Makar Sankranti Pongal and Magh Bihu festivals I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians residing within India and abroadâThese festivals are a symbol of our rich agricultural traditions and national unity They are a reflection of our vibrant and diverse cultural heritage she saidThese festivals are an occasion to salute the hard work of our farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation Through these festivals celebrated across the country we express our gratitude towards Mother Nature she saidââOn this auspicious occasion I wish the spirit of love and solidarity in our society grows stronger and we work together to build a prosperous nationâ she saidEarlier in the day PM Modi paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary also marked as National Youth Day and said that this day brings new strength and selfconfidence for younger generationsThe government proclaimed January 12 as National Youth Day in 1984 with the aim of motivating young individuals by connecting them to the principles and teachings of Swami Vivekananda while also promoting their involvement in the development of the nationIn a post on X PM Modi said My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda the powerful source of inspiration for Indias youth power on his birth anniversary His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a Viksit Bharat My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new selfconfidence for all fellow citizens especially our young companionsHe said that the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda serves as an inspiration for societyIn a video message the Prime Minister said What Swami Vivekananda gave to the country and society transcends time and place inspiring every generation He showed us the way It was Swami Vivekananda who in that era said that fearless selfless purehearted courageous and ambitious youth are the foundation upon which the nations future is built He had immense faith in the youth and their powerCalling on the younger generation PM Modi said Now you have to live up to his faith Today as the world looks to India with great hope it is because of all of you my young friends Today be it a village a city or a town the enthusiasm of the youth is everywhere I extend my best wishes to all of you on National Youth DaySwami Vivekananda was born on January 12 1863 in Kolkata He is widely praised for introducing Indian philosophies including Vedanta and Yoga to the WestSwami Vivekanandas famous speech at the 1893 Worlds Parliament of Religions in Chicago sparked interfaith dialogue and revitalised Hinduism as a world religionHe promoted Indian nationalism social reform and unity urging youth to serve humanity and established the Ramakrishna Mission for education and service IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/president-murmu-extends-greetings-for-lohri-makar-sankranti-pongal-magh-bihu-658135.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 01:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/youth-central-to-pm-modis-viksit-bharat-vision-arunachal-guv-657968.html Itanagar Jan 11 Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General KT Parnaik Retd said on Sunday that inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Viksit Bharat places the youth at the centre of Indias journey towards becoming a developed selfreliant and inclusive nation The youth of Arunachal Pradesh with their talent discipline and deeprooted cultural values have a vital role to play in realising this national aspiration through innovation service and responsible citizenship the Governor addedLieutenant General Parnaik on Sunday extended his warm greetings to the vibrant youth of the state on the special occasion of National Youth Day on Monday commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami VivekanandaHe said that the day reminds all the people of the immense energy idealism and responsibility that the youth carry in shaping the destiny of our nationIn his message the Governor said that Swami Vivekananda was a visionary nationalist who placed unwavering faith in the power of young mindsHis message of universal brotherhood and service to humanity continues to inspire generations the Governor addedHe said that through his Swami Vivekanandas historic address at the Parliament of the Worlds Religions in Chicago he introduced the world to Indias timeless values of harmony spirituality and inclusivenessHis ideals remain profoundly relevant in todays rapidly changing world Governor Parnaik addedOn the National Youth Day the Governor called upon the young citizens to draw inspiration from Swami Vivekananda serve the poor and the marginalised protect the rich natural heritage uphold the noble traditions and reject divisive thinkingYour dedication and character will be the foundation of a Viksit Arunachal and a Viksit Bharat he saidThe Governor in his message conveyed his heartfelt best wishes to the youth of Arunachal Pradesh for a purposeful confident and inspiring future IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/youth-central-to-pm-modis-viksit-bharat-vision-arunachal-guv-657968.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 01:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-temple-was-established-in-satyug-by-moon-god-swami-swaprakash-657971.html Noida Jan 11 Swami Swaprakash Trustee of the Vedic Dharma Sansthan who is also associated with the Art of Living Foundation has said that the Somnath temple was established in the Satyug by Chandra Dev Moon God In an exclusive interaction with IANS Swami Swaprakash spoke at length on the history of Somnath and a range of issues of national and international significanceHere are some excerptsIANS What is the history of SomnathSwami Swaprakash Somnath was established in the Satyug by Chandra Dev It is said that Chandra Dev became a little proud of his beauty Raja Daksha then cursed him that his beauty would fade away Later when he felt remorse and sought a way out Raja Daksha told him to go to Saurashtra and perform penance to Lord Shiva Chandra Dev established the first Jyotirlinga as SomnathThis Jyotirlinga is considered the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas All the incarnations of Lord Vishnu Parashuram Lord Krishna and Lord Ram have worshipped SomnathIANS Recently you had said that if one Shivling is broken a thousand will emerge What do you mean by thatSwami Swaprakash Sanatan Dharma cannot be destroyed because all religions have originated from it Anyone who tries to destroy Sanatan Dharma may feel he has achieved something but after some time those very symbols Shivlings will return and in a bigger wayWhen Mahmud Ghaznavi desecrated Somnath some Agnihotris gathered the original remnants of the Jyotirlinga Shankaracharya instructed them to keep it hidden and worship it for 1000 years because foreign powers would rule India for a thousand yearsThat is exactly what happened the Mughals came and then the British They were also told that the Ram temple would be establishedAbout 900 years later when Vijayanand Saraswati returned to the Shankaracharya he was told that 100 years still remained He then said that after 100 years the Ram temple would be established and India would become freeHe also said that at that time the relics should be handed over to a Guru whose name signifies Shiva and Surya Just imagine 100 years ago this was spoken And on January 15 2025 on Makar Sankranti Gurudev was presented with the remnants of 11 original JyotirlingasIANS The original Shivling of Somnath has been handed over to Sri Sri Guruji What is the next planSwami Swaprakash Gurudev can explain that better Our only effort is that the energy of Somnath reaches every village and every corner of the country This is a time to awaken a wave of devotion It is possible Somnath has come for this reason to ensure people keep faith and pride in their culture identity and Sanatan DharmaIANS Will this original Shivling be installed in the Somnath temple as wellSwami Swaprakash As Gurudev wishes As Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishes As Gurudevs command will be For now the Somnath corridor is being built A complete transformation is underwayIANS During the reconstruction of the Somnath temple then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had asked Dr Rajendra Prasad not to attend Was that rightSwami Swaprakash It is true Rajendra Prasad went by purchasing the ticket with his own money and not through a government quota That is correctIANS What would you say about the transformation of the Somnath temple under PM ModiSwami Swaprakash India is fortunate to have such a Prime Minister especially at a time when the situation is extremely delicate at the international level and even domestically There is also demographic change taking place In such a time having a Prime Minister who can protect Sanatan Dharma and revive our religious places is a matter of great prideIANS With social hatred growing in the country how can Art of Living help in preventing itSwami Swaprakash If a body part goes bad you can cut it open and correct it through surgery But if blood gets polluted you need complete purification Purification of blood is possible only through devotion knowledge and meditationNot only India the entire world needs purification People have begun taking violence as a matter of pride Moving away from core values they are taking pride in negativity That is why institutions like Art of Living present in 186 countries teach meditationIANS You also look after the international chapter of Art of Living What are your views on Indiaâs foreign policySwami Swaprakash Indias foreign policy is very balanced External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is a fine example of a balanced diplomatIANS Can Sri Sri Ravi Shankar mediate to stop the RussiaUkraine warSwami Swaprakash Absolutely Art of Living is the only Indian organisation with a very strong presence in both Russia and Ukraine We have ashrams in Russia Ukraine and Poland and many teachers In Russia alone there are at least more than 700 Art of Living teachersIn Ukraine there are more than 400 teachers If people on both sides come together a settlement is possible When Indian students were stranded and returned from Ukraine they stayed at our Poland ashram and we arranged food and accommodationIANS Can he guide even in situations like the US attack on VenezuelaSwami Swaprakash If officially the government requests Gurudev then a solution can be found 100 per cent The solution to any problem does not come by taking sides it comes from the middle Gurudev is a perfectly balanced leader for mediation viewing both sides equallyIANS With the US attacking Venezuela is the world moving towards a world warSwami Swaprakash I would hope the world does not move towards war Why should we spend our energy on such negative things Indiaâs position will be towards peace IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-temple-was-established-in-satyug-by-moon-god-swami-swaprakash-657971.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 01:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-stalin-rings-in-pongal-with-silambam-display-exudes-confidence-of-sweeping-tn-assembly-polls-657795.html Chennai Jan 10 Chennai witnessed a festive and politically charged Pongal celebration on Sunday as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin participated in the Samathuva Pongal celebrations held at the Kolathur Assembly office his home constituency The event blended tradition emotion and political messaging drawing enthusiastic participation from party workers residents and cultural performersAccompanied by his wife Durga Stalin the Chief Minister distributed Pongal gift hampers and sweets to the public and personally fed cattle as part of the harvest festival ritualsAdding a cultural flourish to the celebrations CM Stalin joined the festivities by energetically performing silambam the ancient Tamil martial artHis spontaneous display drew loud applause and cheers from silambam students and DMK cadres present at the venue turning the celebration into a moment of high enthusiasmAddressing the gathering CM Stalin said Pongal the traditional festival of Tamils was being celebrated with renewed spirit and unityHe described Kolathur as a constituency that always gives him special energy regardless of whether he attends government party or public events elsewhere in the stateWhenever I come to Kolathur I feel a unique sense of happiness and renewed strength That energy is what brings me before you today he saidReferring to the performance of the DMK government since assuming office the Chief Minister said there was no need for him to list achievements as party workers themselves should take them directly to the peopleHe told cadres that 50 per cent of the groundwork for the upcoming Assembly elections had already been completed with the remaining half to be achieved through sustained effortHe claimed even leaders from rival parties including the BJP privately acknowledged the organisational strength and grassroots work of the DMKStriking a confident political note he reiterated that the DMKled alliance would win no fewer than 200 seats in the next Assembly electionsHe went a step further saying that based on the work already completed he was now confident the alliance would surpass that figureConcluding his address the Chief Minister extended Pongal greetings to all and urged party workers to take a collective pledge to secure a massive electoral victory in the coming polls IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-stalin-rings-in-pongal-with-silambam-display-exudes-confidence-of-sweeping-tn-assembly-polls-657795.html Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-flyers-from-abroad-express-enthusiasm-at-international-kite-festival-657789.html Surat Jan 10 Kite flyers from across the world praised the atmosphere ahead of the International Kite Festival IKF in Gujarat on Saturday saying they are looking forward to taking part in the celebrations Speaking to IANS Spini Marshall a kite flyer from London said âThis is my third visit to India and my second visit to Surat The people are extremely warm and feed us great food Along with this the decoration is wonderful as well I am enjoying myselfâRumy from Lebanon described it as the best festival of the worldHe further reminisced about getting an opportunity earlier of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling him fantastic and coolSharing his excitement about participating in the festival Sun from Turkey told IANS âThis is my first time in India I had heard about India from people I met at other festivals who always spoke very highly of itâOur kites are special with some colours along with famous characters such as Tom and Jerry I hope to fly it today if we get a chanceâ he addedAnother kite flyer said âThis is the first time I am here I am very excited to be here I have a kite approximately 30 metres long I hope the wind is strong enough for that to come up We also have brought along some handmade onesâShe also praised the cityâs initiative towards cleanliness and recycling and described it as vibrantEvery January the IKF a part of the traditional Uttarayan celebrations is held to mark Makar Sankranti a major Hindu festival that heralds the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest seasonThe festival is being held from January 10 to January 14 The event is organised by the Gujarat Tourism Department and attracts kite flyers and visitors from across the worldThe main venue of the festival is the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad while celebrations will also take place in other cities of the state including Surat Rajkot Vadodara and DwarkaKite flyers from countries such as Japan the United States the United Kingdom France Australia and Indonesia will participate in the festival Alongside them traditional Indian kite makers will fly colourful patangs and tukals adding to the festive atmosphereWorkshops on kitemaking and kiteflying are also organised especially for children and tourists allowing them to learn more about the tradition IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-flyers-from-abroad-express-enthusiasm-at-international-kite-festival-657789.html Sat, 10 Jan 2026 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-swabhiman-parv-lord-shiva-devotees-arrive-in-special-trains-get-warm-welcome-657690.html Gandhinagar Jan 9 With spiritual fervour gripping the city amidst the fourday Swabhiman Parv celebrations a large number of Lord Shiva devotees arrived in Somnath on Friday morning via special trains The devotees hailing from Rajkot Surat Vadodara and Ahmedabad reached the holy city this morning and were accorded a warm welcome with drumbeats and traditional Bhathigal GarbaThe Gujarat government has made special arrangements for Shiva devotees for the Somnath Swabhiman Parv a celebration of Indias spiritual faith being held from January 8 to 11As part of these efforts special train services have been introduced for safe smooth and convenient travel to the sacred Somnath DhamThe devotees were given a special welcome at the Veraval Railway Station They were greeted with kumkum tilak and bouquetsThe station premises echoed with devotional fervour as chants of Har Har Mahadev â Jai Somnath reverberated at the Veraval railway stationAlso the State Road Transport Corporation has arranged special bus services between the station and the temple for ferrying devotees to Somnath for darshanWith the introduction of special train services Shiva devotees are benefiting from timely and comfortable travelA range of facilities including transportation guidance and overall management have been implemented for comfortable convenient and seamless darshan of Lord SomnathIntegrated measures have been taken to ensure smooth movement and convenience for devotees travelling from Veraval Railway Station to the Somnath TempleA couple of devotees also shared their firsthand experience of the seamless serviceAkshay Panchal from Tapi district stated that the facilities have made their pilgrimage easyHe expressed happiness and also thanked the state government for making arrangementsHeli Rathod a resident of Surat welcomed the transportation services initiated by the state government and said that this will serve the pilgrims to a large extentPraising the bus service from the railway station to Somnath temple she said that this will ensure that devotees have a hasslefree journey and a memorable trip to the temple IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-swabhiman-parv-lord-shiva-devotees-arrive-in-special-trains-get-warm-welcome-657690.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 20:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-swabhiman-parv-over-1-000-sanitation-workers-carry-out-large-scale-cleanliness-drive-657701.html Gandhinagar Jan 9 The fourday Somnath Swabhiman Parv began at the Somnath Temple in Gujarats Prabhas Patan on Thursday Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to begin his threeday visit to Gujarat from January 10 where he will offer prayers at the temple on January 11 and is also expected to lead the Shaurya Yatra a roadshow featuring 108 horsesThe holy city has been spruced up for the ongoing fourday festival with state administration pulling out all stops to make the event successful and memorableThe urban administration and sanitation workers are making a significant contribution to this drive by keeping the clean and sacred during the festivalThe sanitation workers are in the spotlight for their special efforts in maintaining cleanliness in the city leading to strengthening of the devotional atmosphereWith coordinated efforts from various municipalities a largescale cleanliness drive is actively being implementedMore than 1000 sanitation workers from various municipalities have taken up the task of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene ahead of the Prime Minister Modis visit to the holy cityA large workforce has been mobilised to keep the Somnath city cleanMore than 300 sanitation workers from Veraval Municipality and over 700 from Ahmedabad Junagadh Bhavnagar and other municipal areas totalling more than 1000 workers are deployed hereFor the past five days they have been working continuously day and night to maintain cleanliness in Somnath and VeravalAlong with road cleaning and waste collection excess grass removal and trimming of trees and foliage along the roads is being carried out on a priority basisIntensive cleaning of main roads has been undertaken through modern mechanised sweeping machinesIn addition special sanitation teams have been deployed at accommodation facilities and community kitchen sites set up for devotees arriving from outsideFor the convenience of pilgrims arrangements for more than 40 mobile toilets portable toilets have also been ensured at various locationsThe Somnath Swabhiman Parv at Somnath is going to one of the biggest festivals of the year witnessing lakhs of devotees heading to the cityIn this context the tireless work of urban administration and sanitation workers has ensured that Somnath and Veraval remain clean beautiful and sacred IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-swabhiman-parv-over-1-000-sanitation-workers-carry-out-large-scale-cleanliness-drive-657701.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 20:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/from-tantri-to-mantri-how-high-will-the-sabarimala-gold-heist-probe-go-657711.html Thiruvananthapuram Jan 9 The arrest of Sabarimala temple tantri Kantaru Rajeevar in the gold heist case has marked a decisive escalation in an investigation that is steadily moving up the institutional hierarchy What began as a probe into a sensational theft linked to one of Keralaâs most revered shrines has now entered politically sensitive terrain sharpening speculation over whether the next rung could include a ministerBy taking into custody a figure traditionally viewed as insulated from routine criminal scrutiny the Special Investigation Team SIT has crossed a significant psychological and symbolic thresholdInvestigators are believed to have proceeded with extreme caution avoiding any public disclosure of the tantriâs alleged role until custody was secured underscoring the sensitivities surrounding the caseSo far 13 persons have been arrested reinforcing the view that the crime involved a wellorganised network rather than isolated actorsThe probe on Friday has widened further with the Enforcement Directorate registering a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act opening the door to scrutiny of financial trails and possible attachment of assetsPolitical attention has intensified amid longstanding allegations by Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan who has repeatedly claimed that the role of CPIM MLA and former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran in the matter is very clearStrongly objecting to the allegation Surendran filed a defamation case against Satheesan which is now pending before a court in the state capitalReacting to the arrest state police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar clarified that the Kerala Police has no direct role in the investigation stating that the SIT is functioning under the guidance and supervision of the Kerala High CourtMeanwhile present Devaswom Minister and senior CPIM leader VN Vasavan declined to comment on the developmentAsked about the arrest Vasavan said he had nothing to say and walked away a response that has added to political speculationWith Kerala entering a preelection phase any move involving a serving or former minister would carry significant political consequencesWhile there is no official indication that a minister is under investigation the arrest of the tantri has altered perceptions of how far the probe is willing to climb from ritual authority to political power IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/from-tantri-to-mantri-how-high-will-the-sabarimala-gold-heist-probe-go-657711.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 20:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/swabhiman-parv-thousands-of-devotees-travel-by-special-trains-to-somnath-657507.html Gandhinagar Jan 8 The grand celebration of Somnath Swabhiman Parv commenced on Thursday and will continue till January 11 The festival is not just a religious event but also serves as a medium to convey the unparalleled saga of Somnaths thousandyearold struggle sacrifice and reconstructionTo enable the participation of maximum devotees the state government is running special trains from four major citiesA special train from Rajkot arrived at the Somnath Railway Station today and saw the entire railway premises resonating with thunderous chants of Har Har Bhole and Jai SomnathThe devotees are excited and exhilarated to participate in the festivities as they see this not just merely as darshan but as a commemoration of their ancestors strugglesDeepakbhai Dave a resident of Rajkot said We have come here not just for darshan but we want to pay tributes to our glorious history Despite numerous attacks on Somnath its majestic shikhara stands tall today reflecting the enduring vibrancy of our culture Swabhiman Parv has given us an extraordinary opportunity to participate in the thousandyearold saga of struggleDevang Jani a young devotee told IANS The direct train from Rajkot made our journey easier Seeing how Sardar Patel restored this temple and how Prime Minister Narendra Modi is developing it into a worldclass centre uplifts our spiritsJagdishbhai Parmar another Rajkot resident said By joining the Swabhiman Parv I realised how many people sacrificed for Somnath By providing train facilities the government has allowed us to connect with this great heritageNotably over the next three days various programmes will narrate the enduring story of the Somnath temple right from its destruction to restorationSomnaths history is a living example of the victory of conscience over evilFrom Mohammed Ghaznis attack in 1026 to centuries of foreign invasions repeated attempts were made to destroy this centre of faith but every time the heroes of India defended this land with their blood IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/swabhiman-parv-thousands-of-devotees-travel-by-special-trains-to-somnath-657507.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-swabhiman-parv-gujarat-dy-cm-sanghvi-says-structures-can-fall-faith-cannot-657511.html Ahmedabad Jan 8 The Somnath Swabhiman Parv began on Thursday with a large turnout of devotees at the iconic Somnath temple Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi commenting on the significance of the event said that while stones can bring down the physical structure of Somnath no force can ever destroy the faith associated with itA 72hour Akhand Omkar chanting has commenced at the temple premises drawing devotees from across the countryPilgrims are arriving through special trains buses and private vehicles and several social organisations have arranged bhandaras for the visitorsDeputy CM Sanghvi also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Somnath on January 10 to offer prayersDuring his visit the Prime Minister will attend a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust and is expected to participate in the Shaurya Yatra one of the key highlights of the celebrations The grand procession will feature 108 horses more than 1000 sages over 5000 women and an estimated 50000 localsThe Deputy Chief Minister described the occasion as historic reiterating that though invaders like Mahmud of Ghazni once destroyed the temple structure they could never diminish the unwavering faith of its devoteesLarge crowds have started gathering at the temple since 4 amOfficials expect that lakhs of devotees will visit Somnath and extensive preparations have been made to handle the influxAs part of the festivities Rishi Kumaras will perform ceremonial conch blowing and a Shobha Yatra with 108 horses will be organisedSpecial trains from Rajkot to Somnath will operate for four days with similar arrangements being made from other cities across Gujarat to ensure smooth travel for pilgrimsTo enable the participation of maximum devotees the state government is running special trains from four major citiesA special train from Rajkot arrived at the Somnath Railway Station on Thursday and saw the entire railway premises resonating with thunderous chants of Har Har Bhole and Jai Somnath IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-swabhiman-parv-gujarat-dy-cm-sanghvi-says-structures-can-fall-faith-cannot-657511.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-swabhiman-parv-gujarat-dy-cm-sanghavi-says-structures-can-fall-faith-cannot-657516.html Ahmedabad Jan 8 The Somnath Swabhiman Parv began on Thursday with a large turnout of devotees at the iconic Somnath temple Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi commenting on the significance of the event said that while stones can bring down the physical structure of Somnath no force can ever destroy the faith associated with itA 72hour Akhand Omkar chanting has commenced at the temple premises drawing devotees from across the countryPilgrims are arriving through special trains buses and private vehicles and several social organisations have arranged bhandaras for the visitorsDeputy CM Sanghavi also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Somnath on January 10 to offer prayersDuring his visit the Prime Minister will attend a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust and is expected to participate in the Shaurya Yatra one of the key highlights of the celebrations The grand procession will feature 108 horses more than 1000 sages over 5000 women and an estimated 50000 localsThe Deputy Chief Minister described the occasion as historic reiterating that though invaders like Mahmud of Ghazni once destroyed the temple structure they could never diminish the unwavering faith of its devoteesLarge crowds have started gathering at the temple since 4 amOfficials expect that lakhs of devotees will visit Somnath and extensive preparations have been made to handle the influxAs part of the festivities Rishi Kumaras will perform ceremonial conch blowing and a Shobha Yatra with 108 horses will be organisedSpecial trains from Rajkot to Somnath will operate for four days with similar arrangements being made from other cities across Gujarat to ensure smooth travel for pilgrimsTo enable the participation of maximum devotees the state government is running special trains from four major citiesA special train from Rajkot arrived at the Somnath Railway Station on Thursday and saw the entire railway premises resonating with thunderous chants of Har Har Bhole and Jai Somnath IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-swabhiman-parv-gujarat-dy-cm-sanghavi-says-structures-can-fall-faith-cannot-657516.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/religious-leader-karauli-shankar-mahadev-bats-for-declaring-india-sanatan-nation-instead-of-hindu-rashtra-657597.html New Delhi Jan 9 Religious leader Karauli Shankar Mahadev also known as Karauli Sarkar on Friday commented on the controversy over slogans raised at Jawaharlal Nehru University JNU saying that instead of declaring India a Hindu rashtra it should be declared a Sanatan nation Speaking to IANS he said Because of such antinational activities JNU incident there are repeated demands to declare the country a Hindu nation I repeatedly say that while talking about declaring a Hindu nation one must consider that it represents one culture and mindset so where will other cultures go I believe that instead of declaring India a Hindu nation it should be declared a Sanatan nation Sanatan is a religion and the Hindu way of life All religions are included within SanatanThe remarks came as Delhi Police registered a First Information Report FIR in connection with a video that went viral on social media allegedly showing students raising provocative slogans on the JNU campusThe video which surfaced earlier this week purportedly showed a group of students linked to Leftleaning organisations raising inflammatory slogans during a campus gathering at the Guerrilla DhabaThe slogans reportedly contained references directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah Police assessed the content as capable of disturbing public peaceThe incident is said to have occurred during a protest linked to the continued judicial custody of former JNU students Sharjeel Imam and Umar KhalidMeanwhile Karauli Shankar Mahadev also spoke on the recent demolition drive near the FaizeElahi Masjid in Turkman Gate Delhi saying Wherever people are illegally encroaching on land to incite religious unrest and promote what is being called land jihad it is completely unacceptable Whatever action the government is taking in such cases has the full support of the entire saint community Any true Sanatani will oppose such antireligious activities whether the person involved is in power or outside the systemThe violence during the Municipal Corporation of Delhis demolition drive broke out in the early hours of Wednesday after protestors assembled at the site defied police instructions and engaged in stonepeltingThe FIR details that policemen had barricaded the encroached land to prevent illegal occupation and protect adjoining structures including the mosqueA group of 3035 people allegedly shouted slogans and threw stones at officers even as the police attempted to reason with them IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/religious-leader-karauli-shankar-mahadev-bats-for-declaring-india-sanatan-nation-instead-of-hindu-rashtra-657597.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-to-join-devotees-in-somnath-tomorrow-657646.html Ahmedabad Jan 9 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a threeday visit to Gujarat beginning Saturday during which he will participate in major religious cultural diplomatic and infrastructurerelated events across Somnath Rajkot and AhmedabadnbspThe visit will begin on Saturday when the Prime Minister arrives in Somnath in the evening At 8 pm he will join devotees at the Somnath Temple for Omkar Mantra chanting followed by viewing a special drone show organised in the temple complexOn January 11 at 945 am the Prime Minister will participate in the Shaurya Yatra a ceremonial procession honouring the countless warriors who sacrificed their lives defending the Somnath Temple through historynbspAt 1015 am he will perform Darshan and Pooja at the temple and later at 11 am he will attend a public function marking the Somnath Swabhiman ParvnbspLater that afternoon the Prime Minister will travel to Rajkot for the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra regionAt 130 pm he will inaugurate the conferences trade show and exhibition after which he will formally inaugurate the regional conference at 2 pm at Marwadi University and address participantsnbspFrom Rajkot the Prime Minister will head to Ahmedabad At 515 pm he will inaugurate the remaining stretch of Phase 2 of the Ahmedabad Metro connecting Sector 10A to Mahatma Mandir at a ceremony at the Mahatma Mandir Metro StationOn January 12 Prime Minister Modi will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in AhmedabadnbspThe two leaders will visit the Sabarmati Ashram at 930 am and subsequently take part in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront at 10 am This will be followed by bilateral talks beginning at 1115 am at Mahatma Mandir in GandhinagarnbspThe meeting will review progress under the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership which recently completed 25 years https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-to-join-devotees-in-somnath-tomorrow-657646.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tn-to-operate-10-245-special-buses-for-pongal-festival-from-jan-9-14-657312.html Chennai Jan 7 Ahead of the Pongal festival Tamil Nadu Transport Minister SS Sivasankar announced an extensive travel arrangement across the state with thousands of additional buses being operated to ensure smooth and hasslefree movement of passengers during the festive season In an official statement the Minister said that 10245 special buses will be operated across the state between January 9 and January 14 to manage the expected surge in passenger traffic These special services when combined with the 12552 buses that are operated daily will take the total number of buses on the roads during the festival period to 34087 The Transport Department estimates that nearly 1135 lakh passengers will travel from Chennai alone to various parts of the state to celebrate Pongal at their native places In view of the heavy vehicular movement expected on major arterial roads commuters have been advised to use alternative routes such as the East Coast Road ECR and Old Mahabalipuram Road OMR to ease congestion and ensure smoother traffic flow To assist passengers and address complaints a 24hour control room has been set up the Minister said adding that officials will be on duty round the clock to respond to travelrelated grievances and provide necessary guidance The Minister also issued a stern warning to Omni bus operators stating that strict action would be taken against those found charging fares in excess of the prescribed limits Enforcement teams will be deployed at bus stands check posts and key transit points to monitor fare violations and prevent exploitation of passengers during the peak travel period For the return journey to Chennai after the Pongal festivities the state government has drawn up a separate plan to manage the anticipated rush As many as 6820 special buses will be operated in addition to 2092 regular daily services Including the usual 12552 buses a total of 21635 buses will be run to handle the return flow of passengers Providing a datewise breakup of the special bus services the Minister said 1050 buses will operate on January 9 a total of 1030 buses on January 10 255 buses on January 11 2200 buses on January 12 2790 buses on January 13 and 2920 special buses on January 14 Special bus operations will commence from January 9 taking into account early departures by passengers ahead of the main Pongal celebrations The Transport Department has assured that all arrangements are in place to ensure safe affordable and convenient travel for the public during one of the busiest travel periods of the year IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tn-to-operate-10-245-special-buses-for-pongal-festival-from-jan-9-14-657312.html Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/madras-hc-to-deliver-verdict-in-thiruparankundram-hill-lamp-case-today-657276.html Chennai Jan 6 The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court will pronounce its verdict on Tuesday in the sensitive case relating to the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the lamp pillar atop Thiruparankundram in Madurai The case arose from a petition filed by Hindu Tamil Party leader Rama Ravikumar seeking directions to light the Karthigai Deepam at the hilltop lamp pillar On December 1 last year a single Judge Justice G R Swaminathan allowed the plea and ordered that the ceremonial lamp be lit on the festival dayHowever the order was not implemented after authorities cited possible lawandorder concernsChallenging this direction the Executive Officer of the Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple the Madurai District Collector and the Madurai City Police Commissioner filed an appeal before a Division Bench comprising Justice G Jayachandran and Justice K K RamakrishnanThe Bench heard the matter in detail for over a week with arguments from multiple parties including the Sikandar Dargah the Wakf Board and the temple administration After recording submissions from all sides the judges reserved their orders and later indicated that the verdict would be delivered on January 6Meanwhile a related legal issue surfaced concerning practices at the dargah on Thiruparankundram Hill Amid allegations of animal sacrifice and the serving of nonvegetarian food during rituals a petition filed by Manikamurthy led to interim directions from a single judge on January 2The order restrained the dargah administration from performing animal sacrifice serving nonvegetarian food or transporting meat from the foothills to the hilltop Seeking a stay on this order the dargah administration filed an urgent appeal However when the matter was mentioned before the Division Bench the judges declined to entertain the appeal at this stage and advised the parties to await the January 6 verdict in the lamplighting caseThe Bench observed that any further course of action should be decided based on that outcomeAs of now the restrictions on animal sacrifice and nonvegetarian food during the festival period remain in forceThe judgment is likely to have a significant impact on the handling of religious practices and administrative arrangements at Thiruparankundram Hill a site of deep spiritual significance to multiple communities IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/madras-hc-to-deliver-verdict-in-thiruparankundram-hill-lamp-case-today-657276.html Tue, 06 Jan 2026 15:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/stone-pelting-on-om-shakti-devotees-impossible-for-minors-to-be-involved-says-karnataka-minister-zameer-657157.html Bengaluru Jan 5 Commenting over the incident of stonepelting on Om Shakti devotees within the JJ Nagar police station limits Karnataka Minister for Tourism and Waqf BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan who represents the Chamarajpet Assembly constituency where the incident occurred said on Monday that it was unlikely that minor boys could have indulged in such an act adding that he had asked the police to find out who provoked them Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said Last night Sunday during the Om Shakti procession an incident of stonepelting took place Whoever indulged in stonepelting is at fault whether they are minors or adults it does not matter However in my opinion it is impossible for children to have carried out such an act Boys aged between 13 to 14 years have been detained and it needs to be ascertained who is behind themI have conveyed this to the Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP and will direct a probe in this regard Three minors aged between 13 and 14 years have been detained the Minister addedIn my Chamarajpet constituency since 2008 I have not allowed even a small incident to occur Such incidents usually do not come to my notice If any issue arises people here resolve it among themselves he saidMeanwhile Hindu organisations activists and local residents gathered near the JJ Nagar Police Station demanding the immediate arrest of the accused They alleged that the police had detained minors who were not connected to the incident and were attempting to silence the case They also claimed that a Minister was trying to suppress the matterIt can be noted that the Karnataka Police have taken three minors into custody on Monday in connection with an incident of stonepelting targeting Om Shakti devotees reported from the JJ Nagar police station limits in BengaluruThe police claimed that the detentions were made based on suspicion and statements given by the Om Shakti devoteesHome Minister G Parameshwara also said in Bengaluru that the investigation is underway to identify those who provoked the alleged accused minor boys to pelt stonesThe police department has deployed the Karnataka State Reserve Police KSRP in the area DCP Yathish visited the jurisdictional police station and is closely monitoring the situationAccording to the police two women sustained injuries in the incident CCTV footage is not available to the police The police are collecting information from the spot and have identified several persons Special police teams have been formed to nab the stonepelters Devotees have claimed that they have been facing trouble for a long time and that miscreants even set fire to the venue whenever there is a Hindu religious eventTensions prevailed in Bengalurus communally sensitive JJ Nagar area on Sunday night after stones were allegedly thrown at a Hindu religious ritual conducted as part of the Om Shakti pooja ceremony The locals held a protest in front of the JJ Nagar police stationThe protesters alleged that they face such problems daily Saying that they live in constant fear the protesters demanded that a wall be constructed in the locality to prevent them from being targeted They claimed that miscreants habitually throw gutter water on devotees attempt to set fire to the venue of worship and pelt stones They said they have lost patience and demand that such incidents must stopThe protesters further complained that it has become difficult for girls to move freely on the roads alleging that women and children are frequently targeted They claimed that those who raise their voice or resist are singled out and harassed and demanded protection from the state government IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/stone-pelting-on-om-shakti-devotees-impossible-for-minors-to-be-involved-says-karnataka-minister-zameer-657157.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-temple-a-symbol-of-unrelenting-resilience-hindu-saints-657189.html Haridwar Jan 5 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv on January 11 to celebrate the resilience of Indian civilisation Earlier in a blog post the Prime Minister marked 1000 years of the Somnath templeâs resilience and hailed it as the symbol of Indiaâs unbroken spiritAfter PM Modi penned down the significance of the Somnath temple in a blog and also recalled the first attack on it several Hindu saints and seers spoke about the significance of the temple and its contribution to Hinduism and Hindu spiritualityMahamandaleshwar Rupendra Prakash Haridwar speaking to IANS said that the temple stands as a symbol of the Hindu faithâs unrelenting resilience and spiritâThe Mahmud of Ghazni invaded and destroyed the Somnath Temple As we commemorate 1000 years since the first attack it makes our hearts swell with pride that it has survived all the adversities and odds The temple stands as a symbol of bravery and courage and itâs heartening to know that todayâs government accepts it as a spiritual legacy and not a liabilityâ he saidDrawing a parallel between the Kings of the ancient era and todayâs public representatives holding the highest public offices he said that it is the responsibility of the central and state governments to prevent attacks and safeguard the templesHe further hailed the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also commended temple preservation efforts being carried out by the CentreâI congratulate the government on the efforts undertaken to preserve and restore the temples PM Modiâs work towards the development of Kashi Vishwanath Ayodhya Ram Mandir Mahakal corridor Somnath corridor and the Dwarka corridor will be etched in history foreverâShankaracharya Mahesh Ji Maharaj Peethadheeshwar of Kurukshetra echoed similar views and thanked the Prime Minister for the makeover of Hindu shrines making the pilgrimage to various temples easier and simplerHe said âChaar Dham was built by the divine power No Mughal emperor despite their atrocities could demolish the Somnath temple The temple is eternal and will stand till the end of the worldâNotably PM Modi in a blog post recounted the history of the Somnath Temple and its destruction by invaders centuries ago He said there can be no better illustration of Indias indomitable civilisational spirit than Somnath which continues to stand tall despite repeated attacks and immense adversityHe said that the Somnath temple stood tall despite multiple attempts by despotic rulers to flatten itThe aggressors of the past are now dust in the wind They are footnotes in history while Somnath stands radiant reminding us of the eternal spirit that could not be diminished by the attack of 1026 Somnath is a song of hope that teaches us that while hate and fanaticism may destroy for a moment faith and conviction in goodness can create for eternity PM Modi added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-temple-a-symbol-of-unrelenting-resilience-hindu-saints-657189.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/my-exile-strengthened-communal-forces-in-bdesh-taslima-nasreen-657203.html New Delhi Jan 5 Bangladeshâs exiled author Taslima Nasreen finds the current situation in her country of birth worsening through time even compared to the day she was forced to leave over three decades ago âIâd say that was the time of the beginning of the growth of religious fundamentalism in the country now Bangladesh is full of such elementsâ said Taslima in an exclusive interview with IANS âThe then administration played into the hands of fundamentalists and I was penalised without reason The silent acquiescence to their unjustified demand strengthened the hands of bigots and what you see today is the culmination of such official nods that have led to widespread religious intoleranceâ stated the author She also highlighted the clash between free expression and religious fundamentalism where she is projected as a symbol of secular resistance advocating womenâs rights and freedom of thought despite decades of exile Taslima studied medicine to become a doctor but her love for literature made her pick up the pen to compose novels and poetry She was forced into exile from Bangladesh in 1994 after her novel Lajja Shame provoked outrage among Islamist groups who accused her of âhurting religious sentimentsâ Lajja published in 1993 depicted the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh after the Babri Masjid demolition in India The novel was banned by the government for allegedly inciting communal disharmony She faced death threats violent protests and an arrest warrant Fearing the unrest to snowball the then Prime Minister Khaleda Ziaâs government expelled her Since then she has lived in exile â first in Sweden later in India â where she continues to write and advocate for secularism feminism and freedom of expression She holds Swedish citizenship but resides in India on renewable permits In India she first attempted to stay in Kolkata but in 2007 violent protests forced her to leave West Bengal too After a brief period of uncertainty she has lived in Delhi since under government protection On several occasions she has acknowledged the role of the government of India in allowing her to remain in a country where she can freely express herself and follow a life resembling to some extent those from the past Despite the challenges her works have been translated into many languages and continue to resonate with readers worldwide In Bangladesh she claimed successive governments have been silently watching the rise of fundamentalist elements giving radicalism an open field to spread âWhen I was forced to leave Bangladesh it had indicated what lay ahead for the countryâ she reflected This she claimed was followed by successive administrations using religion as a tool to consolidate power Even madrasa education was accepted as equivalent to a university degree she said âAll such policies and decisions have led to this situation The country is reaping what the political leaders have been sowing through these timesâ added Taslima What according to her is the future for Bangladesh and its people âI would say that those who support and believe in âmuktiyddhaâ Bangladesh 1971 liberation war should come to power in Bangladesh in the coming February 12 general electionâ she repliedâUnfortunately those in Bangladesh peddling religious fundamentalism know that such bigotry is not in the nationâs wellbeing yet they do it for their own selfish interestâ Taslima said âEven though the previous administration too had indulged in religious appeasement and supported communal forces Sheikh Hasina was overthrown also because the fundamentalists did not want a woman to rule over such a long period of timeâ she added Taslima wants dynasty politics to end in Bangladesh implying that family bonds make politicians think of an heir apparent rather than the country However she added âI find people talking about a possible win for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP The party is supportive of âmuktiyddhaâ so if they can work for the progress of the country freedom of speech and womenâs equality I think they may be able to deliverâ Taslima is also hopeful of the BNP leader and the deceased Khaleda Ziaâs son Tarique Rahman who recently returned to Dhaka after a 17year exile in the United KingdomâHis long association with Western culture may have imbued him with progressive thoughts so he may work for a better Bangladesh But if he continues to tread the path of his predecessors I donât see much hope in the futureâ she opined Will she ever be able to return Taslima Nasreen did not even hazard a guess IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/my-exile-strengthened-communal-forces-in-bdesh-taslima-nasreen-657203.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 22:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/narendra-modi-first-indian-pm-to-show-deep-faith-in-temples-says-swami-ravindra-puri-657220.html Prayagraj Jan 5 With the beginning of the month of Magh the Magh Mela has started and the Panchkosi Parikrama which awakens Sanatan tradition faith and cultural consciousness has also commenced Pilgrims including saints and sadhus from various akharas were seen performing rituals along the Triveni Sangam here In this context the saints of the Akhara Parishad expressed their views on the completion of 1000 years since the attack on Somnath Temple and thanked the Uttar Pradesh government for making convenient arrangementsIn an exclusive conversation with IANS Mahant Ravindra Puri president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad ABAP said that the Juna Akhara has come with thousands of saints âWe have also come for the holy bath and we will perform it today We intend to follow the ritual throughout this monthlong event Earlier we all came to this place for the Kumbh bath and now it feels like a mini Kumbh The administration has fully prepared for the fair and the Panchkosi Parikrama and every arrangement has been made for the devoteesâ he saidCommenting on the 1000 years since the attack on Somnath Temple he said âOur Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first Indian PM whose devotion to temples is so evident He regards Lord Shiva as his Ishta Devata His faith is not only in Somnath but also in Kedarnath Regarding the incidents affecting Hindus in Bangladesh our Home Minister has been very active and is monitoring the situation closely What is happening to Hindus there is tragic and we condemn itâShankaracharya Swami Narendranand Saraswati Shankaracharya of Kashi Sumeru Peeth said âFrom Paush Purnima to the next Magh Purnima this fair continues for a month sometimes even until Shivratri Traditionally saints come here to worship at the Triveni Sangam of the Ganga This journey began in Satya Yuga and continues today It is not just a parikrama but a symbol of the faith of HindusâHe further added âBathing in the Narmada and Ganga purifies the mind and body and paves the way to attain Bhagwat On the completion of 1000 years since the attack on Somnath Temple it is a reminder that while some miscreants looted temples and attacked them some temples remain in a state of neglectâHari Giri the custodian of Juna Akhara said âTodayâs Panchkosi Parikrama is an ancient tradition believed to be hundreds of thousands of years old As you know it was originally performed by Lord Ganesha followed by other divine incarnationsâ He also thanked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh adding âThanks to their efforts Prayag remains sacred today Earlier meat and eggs used to be sold here but after CM Yogiâs decision all such sales have stoppedâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/narendra-modi-first-indian-pm-to-show-deep-faith-in-temples-says-swami-ravindra-puri-657220.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 23:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/thieves-steal-ashtadhatu-idols-from-temple-in-bihars-saran-657105.html Patna Jan 5 After the recent theft at the Thave temple in Gopalganj district thieves have once again targeted a place of worship in Bihar This time burglars struck an ancient RamJanakiShiv temple located near the Mashrak police station in Saran district According to reports the incident took place on Sunday night when thieves broke the lock of the temple gate and stole Ashtadhatu eightmetal alloy idols of Lord Rama Goddess Sita and Lord LakshmanaThe criminals also took away other valuables including Daan Peti and the DVR of the CCTV surveillance system apparently to erase evidenceThe theft came to light on Monday morning when the temple priest arrived to clean the premises and found the idols missingShocked by the discovery he immediately rushed to the nearby police station and informed the Station House Officer and other officialsThe stolen idols are believed to be over 100 years old and made of Ashtadhatu with their estimated value running into several crores of rupeesThe templeâs proximity to the police station has raised serious concerns about security and law enforcement vigilance in the areaPolice teams reached the spot soon after receiving the information A dog squad has been deployed and investigations are underway Officials are examining nearby CCTV footage and questioning local residents to identify the culpritsThe incident has caused anger and concern among devotees and local residents who have demanded swift action and enhanced security at religious placesEarlier on December 17 unknown thieves carried out a largescale robbery at the renowned Thave Durga Temple one of the most revered religious sites in the regionThe incident has triggered widespread anger among devotees and raised serious concerns over temple securityAccording to temple authorities and local devotees the thieves broke into the temple late on December 17 and stole the gold and silver crown necklace umbrella and other valuable ornaments adorning the idol of Goddess DurgaThe accused also broke open a locker inside the temple premises to carry out the theft IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/thieves-steal-ashtadhatu-idols-from-temple-in-bihars-saran-657105.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-temple-to-host-year-long-swabhiman-parv-pm-modi-to-attend-jan-11-events-657109.html Prabhas Patan Gujarat Jan 5 Yearlong activities are set to take place at Somnath Temple in Gujarat to mark the Somnath Swabhiman Parv officials said on Monday Many spiritual and social activities will take place in the temple premises from January 8 to 11Additionally Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also visit Somnath Temple on January 11 to attend the Somnath Swabhiman Parv programmesSomnath Swabhiman Parv is being organised to mark 1000 years since the first major attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026 celebrating the shrines enduring spirit and Indias cultural resilience as it was rebuilt every time after several destructions by invadersPM Modi initiated the observance as a symbol of faith destruction and rebuilding highlighting its continuous restoration over centuries culminating in its 1950s reconstruction and reflecting national pride and civilisational strengthThe central theme is Unbroken Faith emphasising the temples significance as a symbol of Indias enduring culture and spirit despite repeated assaultsEarlier PM Modi in a blog post said that the Somnath Temple is the eternal proclamation of the Indian soul asserting that while hate and fanaticism may have the power to destroy for a moment faith and conviction in the power of goodness have the strength to create for eternityHe pointed out that 2026 marks thousand years since the Somnath Temple was first attacked by the invaders in January 1026Recounting the history of the Somnath Temple and its destruction by invaders centuries ago the Prime Minister said there can be no better illustration of Indias indomitable civilisational spirit than Somnath which continues to stand tall despite repeated attacks and immense adversityRecalling the period when Somnath revered by millions was attacked by foreign invaders PM Modi said their agenda was destruction rather than devotion Calling 2026 a significant year for the shrine he pointed out that it would mark 1000 years since the first attack on the templeHe added that another important milestone would be completed in 2026 marking 75 years since the restored temple was opened to devotees IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/somnath-temple-to-host-year-long-swabhiman-parv-pm-modi-to-attend-jan-11-events-657109.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/for-establishing-ram-rajya-one-will-have-to-behave-like-lord-ram-ami-ganatra-656897.html New Delhi 3 Jan The second day of Delhi Shabdostav 2026 being organised at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium witnessed a wideranging discussion including one centred around âhistory of Hinduismâ Several writers as well as historians presented their views on Indian literature and cultureAmi Ganatra a management professional and also noted writer shared her views on the concept of âRam Rajyaâ and elaborated on what it would entail for societyâIf the society wants to establish Ram Rajya then one should start acting and behaving like Lord Ramâ she saidShe also flayed the critics and doubters of Lord Ram as an imaginary figure and said that his life serves as a guiding principle for every person even todayâLord Ram is a historical figure for us He has always been there upholding and strengthening the values for societyâ he remarkedâI donât think that anyone has ever raised questions on Lord Ramâs existence till the countryâs Independence The questions whenever raised were merely for scoring political points The courts also demanded testimonials regarding Lordâs existence This shows the extent of the Hindu communityâs tolerance that they provided the courts with evidenceâ she elaboratedRSS Delhi general secretary Anil Gupta another prominent guest on the panel discussion said that earlier it was difficult for people to understand religion and culture but in the present times it has been simplifiedâIt has become easy even for the âGenZâ to comprehend Today the youth are actively taking part in religious programs There used to be a time when bhajan singers used to be in the age group of 4050 but today they are much younger in the bracket of 2025 years of ageâ he addedAnil Gupta further said that the current generation is doing a tremendous job realising the importance of bhajan and religion IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/for-establishing-ram-rajya-one-will-have-to-behave-like-lord-ram-ami-ganatra-656897.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/magh-mela-opens-grandly-in-prayagraj-amid-tight-security-and-devotion-656916.html Prayagraj Jan 3 The countryâs largest annual spiritual and cultural congregation Magh Mela 2026 commenced on Saturday at Prayagraj with the auspicious Paush Purnima bathing festival From the early hours of dawn an overwhelming wave of faith was witnessed at the Sangam and other ghats as lakhs of devotees gathered to take the holy dip Despite severe cold conditions the enthusiasm of pilgrims remained undiminished By 700 PM more than 31 million devotees had performed the ritual bath at the SangamOn the occasion of Paush Purnima devotees continued bathing throughout the day at the confluence of the Ganga Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati rivers as well as at various other ghatsPilgrims from across the country described the experience as deeply divine Nisha who travelled from Rewari in Haryana said that taking a dip in the sacred waters of the Triveni had spiritually fulfilled her life She also praised the governmentâs arrangements for smooth movement and safe bathingSimilarly Kalpana Tomar from Sehore Madhya Pradesh said that her longcherished wish of bathing at the Triveni which remained unfulfilled during the Mahakumbh was finally realised this time She appreciated the cleanliness and efficient management of the fairSaints and seers from various Sanatan traditions also participated in the first holy dip of the Magh Mela adding to the spiritual grandeur of the occasionWith the start of the Magh Mela the entire religious area resonated with an atmosphere of celebration and devotion According to officials more than 22 million devotees had completed the sacred bath by 500 PM They also informed that the flow of pilgrims was continuingExtensive security measures were put in place following the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Over 1500 CCTV cameras have been installed across the city and the mela area with roundtheclock monitoring from a centralised command centre officials said Modern equipment public address systems watchtowers and active water police patrols ensured effective crowd management and safety at the ghatsThe traditional Kalpavas observed every year during the month of Magh on the banks of the holy Ganga also began with the first bathing festival More than 400000 Kalpavasi devotees took the holy dip and formally took vows of austerity prayer and selfdiscipline which will continue until Maghi PurnimaThe newly developed Prayagwal Nagar established for Kalpavasis for the first time came alive with spiritual activities and devotion transforming the mela area into a vibrant tent cityWith a massive turnout elaborate arrangements and deep spiritual fervour the grand beginning of Magh Melaâ2026 has once again reaffirmed Prayagrajâs status as a timeless centre of faith and culture IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/magh-mela-opens-grandly-in-prayagraj-amid-tight-security-and-devotion-656916.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-emerging-as-knowledge-economy-rajnath-singh-656746.html Jaipur Jan 2 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the purpose of education is not limited to professional success alone but it also aims to shape character morality and a humane personality âThis is the core spirit of the Indian philosophy of education which strengthens harmony and peace in societyâ said the Union Minister while speaking at a ceremony organised by Vidya Pracharini Sabha and BN Institute on the occasion of their 104th Foundation Day in UdaipurHe said that knowledge without values is incomplete adding that today India is emerging as a knowledge economy âIn the Global Innovation Index Indiaâs ranking has improved significantly from 76 in 2014 to 39 in 2024â he said adding Our universities are no longer just producing skilled human resources they are also earning global recognition and prestigeThe Defence Minister said that teachers are the strongest pillars of any effective education system adding that this is why the National Education Policy places special emphasis on empowering teachers making them capable confident and autonomous because empowered teachers are the foundation of a strong IndiaHe said that since ancient times the Indian knowledge system has been unique reflecting a harmonious balance between faith and science the material and the spiritual action and duty enjoyment and renunciation âThis balance makes Indian thought not only intellectually rich but also deeply relevant to practical lifeâ he said The Defence Minister said that India is progressing rapidly and is on track to become one of the top three global economies by 2030 He emphasised that the country has achieved significant selfreliance in the defence sector and weapon manufacturingâEarlier Indiaâs voice was often ignored globally but today when India speaks the world listensâ he said Sharing a personal reflection Rajnath Singh said that his entry into politics was coincidental and likened it to the phrase âHar Har Gangeâ symbolising an unexpected turn in life He added that despite being in politics the teacher within him remains alive He highlighted the importance of the New Education Policy which places teachers at the centre of nationbuilding He said values such as humility respect and selfdiscipline are essential for personal and national growth âOnly those who bow with humility truly riseâ he remarked Rajnath Singh also spoke about the traditions of unity and equality in the Armed Forces mentioning community meals and the importance of breaking hierarchical barriers to build trust and camaraderie During the event MLA Vishvraj Singh Mewar spoke about the historical contribution of the Mewar royal family to education especially girlsâ education Without naming anyone he called for strict action against those who misuse the names of great historical figures for political purposes After the programme the Defence Minister visited the City Palace where he was welcomed by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar a member of the former royal family IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-emerging-as-knowledge-economy-rajnath-singh-656746.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bay-area-devotees-mark-ayodhyas-ram-mandir-milestone-656656.html Washington Jan 2 Hundreds of devotees gathered at a Hindu temple in Californiaâs Silicon Valley to observe the second anniversary of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya The programme was held a day ahead of the anniversary events in India Families elders and children attended from across the Bay Area The evening focused on prayer devotional music and community service dedicated to Lord RamOfficials at the Fremont Hindu Temple said the observance was aligned with the anniversary of the templeâs consecration in Ayodhya marked in India on December 31 Hindu temples and community groups across the United States held similar programmesProfessional bhajan singers from the region led Ram Dhuni and bhajans through the evening Devotees sat on the floor inside the prayer hall Many clapped softly and joined in the chants The hall remained full as the singing continuedVolunteers said the programme was planned as a devotional gathering not a staged cultural event The focus they said was shared worship and open participation The temple complex saw steady footfall throughout the eveningA priti bhoj was organised later in the programme Volunteers served prasad and traditional sweets to devotees Temple organisers said community members were able to sponsor the priti bhoj so more people could take partSeveral attendees said the event allowed them to feel connected to developments in Ayodhya despite the distance Temple officials noted that interest remained high reflecting the significance of the Ram Mandir for many in the Indian diasporaThe Fremont Hindu Temple is a major religious and cultural centre for Indian Americans in Northern California It regularly hosts large gatherings during Hindu festivals and important religious observances linked to events in IndiaThe Ram Mandir in Ayodhya stands at the site revered as the birthplace of Lord Ram The temple was consecrated in January 2024 after a Supreme Court verdict ended a decadeslong legal disputeSince then the temple has drawn large numbers of pilgrims and national attention in India For Hindu communities abroad including those in the United States the anniversary has become an occasion for prayer reflection and cultural connection IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bay-area-devotees-mark-ayodhyas-ram-mandir-milestone-656656.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/inspired-by-shubhanshu-shukla-youth-to-lead-viksit-bharat-march-in-2026-vice-prez-656558.html New Delhi Jan 1 Hailing Group Captain Shubhanshu Shuklaâs space sojourn in 2025 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Thursday hoped that in the New Year the energy of our youth rooted in our rich cultural ethos will lead the countryâs march towards the vision of Viksit Bharat2047 In a message for citizens on the first day of 2026 âI call upon the youth of India the custodians of the nationâs future to take five pledges for Bharat Mata on this New YearâThe pledges are To remain completely free from drugs to adopt technology responsibly and ethically using innovation and digital tools for nationbuilding and inclusive development to focus on physical and mental health by embracing an active lifestyle to uphold constitutional values integrity and social harmony and to contribute selflessly to the progress of the nation he saidDuring 2025 Operation Sindoor underscored Indiaâs determination to protect its citizens and sent a strong message to terrorists and their sponsors that justice and security will prevail and that any threat to our sovereignty will be met with firm and resolute action he saidHe said during the year Parliament enacted historic legislation reflecting the nationâs determined march towards Viksit Bharat while also witnessing significant deliberations including the commemoration of the 150th year of Vande MataramThe nation solemnly observed several landmark occasions including the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur the 150th birth anniversaries of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Vallabhbhai Patel the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee said RadhakrishnanHe also listed the nationâs achievements in the year gone byâIndiaâs achievements in science technology and space during 2025 further strengthened its position as a global innovation hub Under the leadership of the ISRO the successful SPADEX mission demonstrated satellite docking capabilities while the LVM 3M6 launch showcased Indiaâs growing heavylift capacityââThe mission of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station marked a significant step in Indiaâs expanding human spaceflight ambitionsâ he saidâIn the field of sports 2025 brought many moments of national pride Our Menâs Cricket Team lifted the ICC Champions Trophy while the Indian Womenâs Cricket Team created history by winning the ICC Womenâs Cricket World Cup for the first time India also won both the menâs and womenâs titles at the Kho Kho World Cupâ he said detailing achievements in the field of sportsMeanwhile Radhakrishnan will undertake a twoday visit to Tamil Nadu starting Friday for events including a university convocation a civic reception and a templeâs Golden Jubilee in VelloreâOn Friday the Vice President will preside over the 34th Convocation of Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute University Chennaiâ said a statementLater in the day the VicePresident will attend the Ram Nath Goenka Sahitya Samman ceremony at Taj Coromandel In the evening he will participate in a Public Reception at Kalaivanar Arangam Chennai This will be followed by a Civic Reception hosted by the Governor of Tamil Nadu at Lok Bhavan it saidOn Saturday the Vice President will attend the 50th Golden Jubilee Jayanthi Celebrations of Sri Sakthi Amma at Vellore Golden Temple In the afternoon he will attend the 9th Siddha Day Celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam Triplicane Chennai IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/inspired-by-shubhanshu-shukla-youth-to-lead-viksit-bharat-march-in-2026-vice-prez-656558.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 04:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/grand-celebration-marks-fifth-sannyasa-initiation-birth-anniversary-of-swami-kailashanand-giri-in-haridwar-656616.html Haridwar Jan 1 The spiritual city of Haridwar witnessed a magnificent celebration as the fifth Sannyasa initiation and birth anniversary of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Niranjan Peethadheeshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara unfolded with profound devotion and grandeur at âShri Dakshin Kali Templeâ The ceremony presided over by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Rajrajeshwarashram Maharaj brought together an illustrious gathering of spiritual luminaries including Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad President Mahant Ravindrapuri Juna Peethadheeshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Patanjali Yogpeeth General Secretary Acharya Balkrishna Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Balakanand Giri Acharya Lokesh Muni Parmarth Niketan head Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Swami Brahmaswaroop BrahmachariProminent figures from politics administration education and social service joined thousands of devotees from across India and abroad creating an atmosphere charged with reverence and unityTributes poured in for Swami Kailashanand Giri with Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Rajrajeshwarashram describing him as a profoundly learned saint whose life inspires all and whose efforts significantly advance the propagation of Sanatan Dharma and culture globallyShri Mahant Ravindrapuri emphasised the resurgence of Sanatan Dharma in the modern era crediting great saints for raising its flag worldwide and highlighting Swami Kailashanand Giris pivotal role in this movementAcharya Balkrishna praised his leadership in spreading spiritual knowledge guiding devotees toward welfare and upholding religious traditionsEchoing these sentiments Swami Avdheshanand Giri Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Swami Balakanand Giri lauded his extraordinary penance and spiritual discipline as a miraculous example noting that only dedicated disciples like him truly perpetuate a gurus legacyUttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri extended warm congratulations affirming that the companionship of saints illuminates the path to true welfare and humbly sought their blessingsIn a heartfelt response Swami Kailashanand Giri expressed deep gratitude to the assembled saints and guests proclaiming that the Guru represents the second form of GodHe shared his immense fortune in receiving guidance from his revered guru Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Rajrajeshwarashram and pledged to dedicate his life to preserving Niranjani Akharas traditions while leading society toward righteousness and spiritualityAdding to the occasions prestige Bharatiya Janata Party National General Secretary BL Santosh and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari personally called to offer congratulations and seek the revered Gurudevs blessingsThe events gracious touches included garlanding of honoured guests by Swami Kailashanand Giris disciple Swami Avantikanand Brahmachari and former MLA Sangeet Som with Acharya Pawandutt Mishra skillfully managing the stage proceedingsAmong the distinguished attendees were Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vedavyasanand from America various mahants and swamis Uttar Pradesh ministers media incharge Shantanu Shukla and countless devoted followersThe celebration not only honoured Swami Kailashanand Giris milestones but also symbolised the vibrant enduring spirit of Sanatan Dharma inspiring all present with its message of devotion unity and spiritual upliftment IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/grand-celebration-marks-fifth-sannyasa-initiation-birth-anniversary-of-swami-kailashanand-giri-in-haridwar-656616.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/devotees-throng-himachal-temples-to-seek-new-year-blessings-656464.html Shimla Jan 1 A large number of devotees assembled in different parts of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday the first day of 2026 to express gratitude for the past and seek blessings for the future One of the busiest shrines in North India the hilltop Naina Devi temple in the Bilaspur district saw a majority of pilgrims from Punjab Haryana Chandigarh and Delhi according to temple officialsThe popular shrines of Chintpurni in Una district and Jwalaji and Brajeshwari Devi temples in Kangra district witnessed a huge rushâWe are expecting a daily arrival of 15000 to 20000 devotees till this weekendâ an official at the Naina Devi shrine told IANS over the phoneMeanwhile security has been increased to manage the crowds at all prominent shrines a senior police official told IANS hereGovernor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu have extended best wishes to the peopleThe Chief Minister hoped the New Year would bring abundant happiness to everyone and serve as a symbol of renewed aspirations fresh resolutions and positive energy He said the people of the state have stood shoulder to shoulder with the government while facing challenges The state faced several disasters in 2025 but even then it was a year of development and achievements during which new benchmarks were set in the fields of education health agriculture and infrastructure from its own resources besides the resolve and firm commitment of the government to eradicate âchittaâ a chemical narcotic he saidCM Sukhu assured that the government would continue to stand firmly for the welfare of the people and the fight for the overall interests of the state in the future as wellIn his message the Governor hoped the New Year would bring peace happiness and prosperity to every household and usher in new opportunities for progress and developmentHe said the New Year âis a time for renewal of hope positive thinking and collective resolve to build a stronger healthier and more inclusive societyâHe urged residents especially the youth to adopt values of discipline compassion and social responsibility and contribute actively towards a drugfree healthy and prosperous state IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/devotees-throng-himachal-temples-to-seek-new-year-blessings-656464.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/braving-biting-cold-devotees-throng-golden-temple-shrines-to-usher-in-new-year-656467.html ChandigarhAmritsar Jan 1 Braving biting cold hundreds of devotees thronged the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar Punjab and other shrines in the region early on Thursday to usher in the New Year At the Golden Temple complex around 250 km from here the devotees queued up since midnight to offer prayers Long queues could be seen on Thursday morning with people waiting for their turn to offer prayers inside the Harmandir Sahib the sanctum sanctorumSeveral devotees could be seen taking a dip in the holy sarovar in the Golden Temple âWe are really blessed to offer prayers in the Golden Temple on the first day of the New Year May 2026 be filled with prayers answered and goals achievedâ Kavita Gupta a devotee from Delhi saidAlso people thronged the Mata Mansa Devi shrine in Panchkula near Chandigarh to offer prayersElsewhere in Punjab Haryana and Chandigarh people offered prayers at various shrines to mark the New YearPunjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria has extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Punjab and Chandigarh on the occasion of the New YearIn his message the Governor said the arrival of the New Year is always welcomed with renewed hope optimism and aspirations He emphasised that these aspirations can be realised only through collective effort guided by zeal determination and dedicationOn this joyous occasion Kataria called upon the people to reaffirm their resolve to build a strong peaceful and united India and to rededicate themselves to working for the nationâs progress and prosperityThe Governor conveyed his heartfelt greetings and wished everyone a happy healthy and prosperous New YearPunjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has also extended greetings and wished that the Almighty may fulfil all the dreams of Punjabis in 2026 He prayed to God to give happiness peace success and prosperity for all Punjabis residing across the globe âWe should follow the path shown by Guru SahibâHe urged the people to do regular exercise in their lives so that they remain hale and heartyExtending the New Year greetings Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann prayed that the Almighty fill peoples lives with happiness and success In a post on X he wrote that last year his government provided the people of Punjab with better health facilities good education for children and employment for youthWe took strict action to remove stigmas like drugs and corruption from the forehead of Punjab he said adding that the development works will continue IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/braving-biting-cold-devotees-throng-golden-temple-shrines-to-usher-in-new-year-656467.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/thanks-to-pm-modi-we-witnessed-this-occasion-says-up-dy-cm-on-ram-temples-2nd-anniversary-656406.html New Delhi Dec 31 Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday extended his heartfelt greetings to the nation on the second anniversary of Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya Highlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of the temple for devotees across India Pathak said âOn the completion of two years of the grand Ram Lalla temple I extend my heartfelt greetings to all citizens of the country Thanks to PM Modi we have been able to witness this occasion of Sanatan culture Many thanks to PM Modi for thisâThe Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust commemorated the historic event originally performed on Paush Shukla Paksha Dwadashi in 2024 with elaborate ceremonies led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi The Pran Pratishtha marked the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol and the culmination of centuries of devotion and aspiration among the Hindu communityBJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also spoke on the occasion saying âToday is a very auspicious day a very holy day that Ram Mandir Prana Pratishtha is two years old and we saw how the work of the Hindu society which was waiting for this for 500 years was completed and a great Ram Mandir was built Ram Lalla got his great Mandir and flag hosting was done on it and the penance of so many years was completedââJDU National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad added âIndia is the spiritual guide for the entire world Lord Shri Ram is not only worshipped by millions of Hindus but is also revered with respect and devotion by people of all religions During the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi a historic milestone was achieved with the establishment of Lord Shri Ramâs temple in Ayodhya Now as we celebrate the second anniversary it is a momentous occasion eagerly awaited by devotees and followers of HinduismââThousands of pilgrims from across India thronged Ayodhya to offer prayers filling the town and temple premises with chants of âJai Shri Ramâ and devotion From the temple entrance to the streets of âRam Nagariâ the celebrations reflected the collective faith and spiritual fervour of devotees The anniversary underscored the templeâs significance not only as a place of worship but also as a symbol of Indiaâs rich cultural and spiritual heritage inspiring generations of followersThe second anniversary of Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha was marked by reverence devotion and gratitude celebrating the historic milestone that fulfilled a centuriesold aspiration of Hindu devotees across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/thanks-to-pm-modi-we-witnessed-this-occasion-says-up-dy-cm-on-ram-temples-2nd-anniversary-656406.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sit-to-take-statement-from-udf-convener-adoor-prakash-in-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-656423.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 31 The Special Investigation Team SIT probing the Sabarimala gold theft case has stepped up its probe and will now take a statement from UDF convener and Congress MP Adoor Prakash Prakash is being summoned to clarify his alleged association with the prime accused in the case Unnikrishnan PottiThe investigators are seeking greater clarity on the nature of their relationship including details of a Delhi trip undertaken by Prakash along with PottiThe SIT is in the process of collecting and verifying information related to this visit and other linked interactionsWhen the media approached the Congress MP to find the date he would appear before the SIT an irritated Prakash said I do not know of any such thing maybe you media would have got the notice I have not got anything He then got into his car and drove awayPictures of Potti along with Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were shared on social media in a bid to counter the narrative of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan being seen alongside PottiThis fresh development comes on the day when Potti and two other accused were handed over to the probe team for a dayâs questioning on WednesdayThe investigation team plans to crosscheck Pottiâs testimony with the statement recorded by senior CPI M legislator and former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally SurendranThe SIT has already recorded Surendranâs testimony and is now seeking corroboration from Potti on the points raised thereinThe questioning of both the former minister and a senior Congress leader comes amid allegations that they maintained close ties with the prime accusedInvestigators said the focus of the probe is on uncovering the larger conspiracy behind the theft of gold plates linked to SabarimalaAs part of this effort the SIT is examining whether individuals with highlevel political or institutional connections played any role in facilitating or shielding those involved in the crimeThe investigation team has given enough hints that further questioning and summons could follow as the probe progresses depending on the evidence and statements recorded in the coming daysSince the probe began so far 10 people including three top CPIM leaders are now in jail IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sit-to-take-statement-from-udf-convener-adoor-prakash-in-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-656423.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rajnath-singh-cm-yogi-offer-prayers-at-hanuman-garhi-and-ram-lalla-temple-in-ayodhya-656439.html Ayodhya Dec 31 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday visited Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya where they offered prayers to Lord Hanuman amid devotional chantsnbspAfter paying obeisance at Hanuman Garhi the two leaders proceeded to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex where they offered prayers at the Ram Lalla temple and the Ram DarbarnbspThey performed aarti circumambulated the temple and prayed for peace prosperity and the welfare of the nation and Uttar PradeshnbspDefence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Ayodhya earlier in the day to participate in the Pratishtha Dwadashi programme He was received by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport from where they travelled together to Hanuman Garhi and later to the Ram Janmabhoomi complexAmid chants of Jai Shri Ram and Vedic mantras the Defence Minister and the Chief Minister participated in temple rituals and hoisted the religious flag atop the Maa Annapurna temple within the complexnbspAs they emerged from the temple devotees greeted them with loud chants of Jai Shri RamnbspChief Minister Yogi Adityanath waved to the crowd and blessed children gathered at the sitenbspA deeply devotional and festive atmosphere prevailed across the temple complex throughout the dayA large number of devotees from across the country and abroad thronged Ayodhya on the occasion of Pratishtha Dwadashi to have darshan of Lord Shri RamnbspLong queues were witnessed as the temple complex echoed with devotional slogans with devotees describing the experience as spiritually uplifting and peacefulnbspAs part of the religious observances Tatvakalash rituals havan mantra chanting and special prayers were conductednbspThe temple administration had made elaborate arrangements deploying additional security personnel and volunteers to ensure smooth crowd management and convenience for devotees https://dailyworld.in/religion/rajnath-singh-cm-yogi-offer-prayers-at-hanuman-garhi-and-ram-lalla-temple-in-ayodhya-656439.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/shahbag-movement-leader-appeals-for-peace-return-of-sonar-bangla-in-bangladesh-656360.html Kolkata Dec 30 The persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh continues unabated An atmosphere of fear prevails and the killing of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das has not brought the violence to an end in the South Asian countryAmid the helpless state of affairs in Bangladesh the Sanatani Sansad held a press conference at the Kolkata Press Club on Tuesday presenting instances of several Hindus who had taken refuge in India either on medical visas or through other means after fearing for their lives in the neighbouring countryAmong them was Bappaditya Basu a prominent face of the 2023 Shahbag movement in Bangladesh who had demanded for the restoration of Sonar Bangla golden BengalI have been living in hiding for the last fourteen months Ansarullah Bangla organisation had threatened to kill me I do not know whether I will see the sun tomorrow after speaking out today I came to this country on a medical visa But I and people like me who are currently in this country and this state want to return to our homeland Basu said at the press conferenceAt the same time Basu appealed that since Hindus like him have taken shelter here due to religious persecution the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi should consider granting them citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act CAACalling upon the intellectual community of West Bengal to stand by them he said The situation in Bangladesh today is worse than during the 1971 Liberation War The current situation must end and peace should be established once again We want a Sonar BanglaBharatiya Janata Party BJP leader Shankudev Panda said The BJP stands with the persecuted Hindus of Bangladesh They must apply through Sanatani Sansad following the legal process for the demand of citizenshipThose present at the press conference were the organisations President Gobinda Das General Secretary and Journalist Raktim Das Professor Mohit Roy Advocate Joydeep Mukhopadhyay among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/shahbag-movement-leader-appeals-for-peace-return-of-sonar-bangla-in-bangladesh-656360.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/avoid-negative-remarks-spread-happiness-bjps-danish-azad-ansari-on-up-clerics-new-year-fatwa--656266.html New Delhi Dec 30 Political reactions have poured in following a controversial statement and fatwa issued by All India Muslim Jamaat AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi urging Muslims in India not to engage in New Year festivities Leaders across party lines have criticised the statement stressing social harmony constitutional values and individual freedomReacting to clerics unsolicited advice UP minister Danish Azad Ansari said such remarks should be consciously avoided âIn my view many people celebrate and enjoy the New Year so it is not appropriate to make negative remarks about it We should all consciously avoid such statements The focus should be on moving forward together as a society spreading happiness and ensuring that people of all communities and religions live peacefully The aim should be this and unnecessary criticism should be avoidedâ he saidBJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a sharper tone questioning the Maulanaâs credibility âFirst tell the Maulana sahib that if he claims on television every day that he has issued a fatwa then appearing on TV itself is prohibited under Shariat He is himself doing what is considered haram by regularly coming on television and issuing fatwas He should first fully follow Shariat and stop appearing on TVââThe confidence of this hateful Maulana is high because the Congress party and a particular group form an ecosystem that claims Shariat is above the Constitution It is the Congress ecosystem that is emboldening such Maulanas which is why they want to run the country through fatwas and Shariatâ Poonawalla addedBJP Rajya Sabha MP Brijlal also dismissed the fatwa asserting constitutional supremacy âWhat the Maulana says may be unlawful for him but people in this country celebrate and enjoy New Year His fatwas hold no importance India is governed by the Constitution not Sharia and such statements have no authority hereâ he saidSamajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma echoed similar sentiments emphasising democratic values âIndia is a democratic country and such statements are unnecessary I donât think any fatwa of this kind is needed in a democratic country like India Anyone who earns and lives with their family can welcome the New Year and celebrate happiness with their spouse and childrenâ he saidThe controversy arose after AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi issued a fatwa advising Muslims not to celebrate the New Year claiming it violates Islamic law Sharia which is derived from the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet provides moral and legal guidance for religious duties and aspects of daily lifeIn his fatwa Razvi stated that activities like singing and dancing are completely haram in Islam and therefore New Year celebrations are also haram He said such acts are considered criminal under Shariat and urged Muslim youth to stay away from these celebrationsSpeaking to IANS Razvi said âCelebrating the New Year is not permissible according to Sharia On the night of December 31 New Year celebrations take place which involve many inappropriate activities such as dancing singing shows alcohol consumption chaos misbehaviour and other immoral acts Islam forbids all of these actionsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/avoid-negative-remarks-spread-happiness-bjps-danish-azad-ansari-on-up-clerics-new-year-fatwa--656266.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/up-clerics-fatwa-on-new-year-celebrations-draws-ire-across-political-spectrum--656267.html New Delhi Dec 30 Political reactions have poured in following a controversial statement and fatwa issued by All India Muslim Jamaat AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi urging Muslims in India not to engage in New Year festivities Leaders across party lines have criticised the statement stressing social harmony constitutional values and individual freedomReacting to clerics unsolicited advice UP minister Danish Azad Ansari said such remarks should be consciously avoidedâIn my view many people celebrate and enjoy the New Year so it is not appropriate to make negative remarks about it We should all consciously avoid such statements The focus should be on moving forward together as a society spreading happiness and ensuring that people of all communities and religions live peacefully The aim should be this and unnecessary criticism should be avoidedâ he saidBJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a sharper tone questioning the Maulanaâs credibilityâFirst tell the Maulana sahib that if he claims on television every day that he has issued a fatwa then appearing on TV itself is prohibited under Shariat He is himself doing what is considered haram by regularly coming on television and issuing fatwas He should first fully follow Shariat and stop appearing on TVââThe confidence of this hateful Maulana is high because the Congress party and a particular group form an ecosystem that claims Shariat is above the Constitution It is the Congress ecosystem that is emboldening such Maulanas which is why they want to run the country through fatwas and Shariatâ Poonawalla addedBJP Rajya Sabha MP Brijlal also dismissed the fatwa asserting constitutional supremacy âWhat the Maulana says may be unlawful for him but people in this country celebrate and enjoy New Year His fatwas hold no importance India is governed by the Constitution not Sharia and such statements have no authority hereâ he saidSamajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma echoed similar sentiments emphasising democratic values âIndia is a democratic country and such statements are unnecessary I donât think any fatwa of this kind is needed in a democratic country like India Anyone who earns and lives with their family can welcome the New Year and celebrate happiness with their spouse and childrenâ he saidThe controversy arose after AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi issued a fatwa advising Muslims not to celebrate the New Year claiming it violates Islamic law Sharia which is derived from the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet provides moral and legal guidance for religious duties and aspects of daily lifeIn his fatwa Razvi stated that activities like singing and dancing are completely haram in Islam and therefore New Year celebrations are also haram He said such acts are considered criminal under Shariat and urged Muslim youth to stay away from these celebrationsSpeaking to IANS Razvi said âCelebrating the New Year is not permissible according to Sharia On the night of December 31 New Year celebrations take place which involve many inappropriate activities such as dancing singing shows alcohol consumption chaos misbehaviour and other immoral acts Islam forbids all of these actionsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/up-clerics-fatwa-on-new-year-celebrations-draws-ire-across-political-spectrum--656267.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bangladesh-reports-71-blasphemy-linked-attacks-on-hindus-from-june-dec-report-655989.html Dhaka Dec 28 At least 71 incidents related to blasphemy allegations against Hindu minorities were reported in Bangladesh from JuneDecember this year Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities HRCBM said in a report The HRCBM documented cases from more than 30 districts including Chandpur Chattogram Dinajpur Lalmonirhat Sunamganj Khulna Comilla Gazipur Tangail and Sylhet according to the report Rights group said that the spread and similarity of these cases showcase systemic vulnerability of minorities to religiously framed allegations rather than isolated incidentsAccording to the report blasphemy allegations in Bangladesh frequently led to police action mob violence and punishmentOn June 19 Tamal Baidya 22 was arrested in Barishals Agljhara over alleged derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad according to a report in Thailandbased Page 3 NewsAfter three days Shanto Sutradhar 24 faced protests and unrest in Chandpurs Matlab after facing similar allegationsA report in Page 3 News said One of the most violent episodes was reported on July 27 when Ranjan Roy 17 was arrested in Betgari Union Rangpur Following his detention 22 Hindu homes were vandalised highlighting how accusations often escalate beyond the individual to target entire communities Overall the report lists 71 distinct incidents including police arrests and FIRs mob beatings vandalism of Hindu homes suspensions and expulsions from educational institutions and deaths following mob attacks between June 2025 and December 2025It notes that over 90 per cent of the named accused are Hindu including minors as young as 15 to 17 years The HRCBM says many cases stem from alleged Facebook posts which are often disputed fabricated or traced to hacked accounts Other incidents are based on verbal accusations made without forensic verification In several cases arrests were carried out under mob pressure even before any formal investigation it addedA number of complaints were lodged under the Cyber Security Act especially against students Universities and colleges with students such as Pranaya Kundu PUST Bikorno Das Divvya Tonoy Roy Khulna University and Apurbo Pal North South University facing suspension expulsion or police action after allegations of insulting IslamOn December 18 Dipu Chandra Das 30 was beaten to death and his body set on fire by a mob in Bhaluka over allegations of blasphemyA report in Thailandbased Page 3 News stated Human rights observers quoted in the HRCBM report stress that the recurring pattern â social media accusations rapid arrests mob mobilisation and targeting of Hindu localities â suggests blasphemy allegations are increasingly being used as a trigger for persecution intimidation and social exclusion The report concludes that minors and economically vulnerable individuals are disproportionately affected and warns that without accountability and safeguards such accusations will continue to endanger minority communities in BangladeshOn December 19 a leading international human rights organisation condemned the recent series of âhorrific extremistâ violent incidents that occurred across Bangladesh In its statement Justice Makers Bangladesh in France JMBF stated that coordinated attacks at multiple locations on Thursday nights demonstrated that Bangladesh has plunged into a state of extreme insecurity and has gravely failed to fulfill its fundamental responsibilitiesThese attacks targeted the offices of the countryâs leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star the national cultural institution Chhayanaut members of minority communities the remaining structures of the Bangabandhu Museumâan important symbol of the nationâs history and the office of the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram The unrest broke out following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi spokesperson of the radical group Inqilab ManchaAccording to the JMBF the planned vandalism arson and looting of the offices of The Daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka were not merely attacks on two media outlets but constituted a direct assault on freedom of expression the pursuit of truth and independent journalismâThe endangerment of journalistsâ lives and the attempt to rescue them using cranes operated by the Fire Service instead of deploying helicopters exposed a stark and disturbing picture of state negligence The harassment of the President of the Editorsâ Council a senior journalist during the incident further proves that extremist forces are now emboldened to openly suppress democratic voicesâ the rights body statedâOn the same night the attack and stonethrowing at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram not only reflected a severely deteriorated lawandorder situation but also raised serious questions about the governmentâs irresponsibility and its disregard for international diplomatic norms An attack on a foreign diplomatic mission has gravely damaged Bangladeshâs international image for which the current government bears full responsibilityâ it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bangladesh-reports-71-blasphemy-linked-attacks-on-hindus-from-june-dec-report-655989.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/up-cleric-again-issues-fatwa-asking-muslims-not-to-celebrate-new-year-656081.html Bareilly Dec 29 All India Muslim Jamaat AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi has again issued a fatwa urging Muslims in India not to celebrate the New Year as this goes against the tenets of the Sharia Sharia is the system of Islamic moral and legal guidance derived from the teachings of the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet and it governs both religious obligations and aspects of daily lifeIn the fatwa Maulana Razvi stated that activities such as singing and dancing are completely haram in Islam and therefore New Year celebrations are also considered haramHe said that such acts are deemed criminal under the Shariat and advised Muslim youth to stay away from these celebrationsSpeaking to IANS Razvi said Celebrating the New Year is not permissible according to Sharia On the night of December 31 New Year celebrations take place which involve many inappropriate activities such as dancing singing shows alcohol consumption chaos misbehaviour and other immoral acts Islam forbids all of these actionsHe further said that the New Year is essentially a festival associated with Christians and that it is strictly prohibited for Muslims to celebrate itThe fatwa noted that the New Year begins in January marking the start of the English calendar year and therefore it is considered a religious observance of Christians to celebrate the first day of their yearI would like to request all the young men and women not to celebrate the New Year nor attend any such event If they do then they will be considered a culprit This is European not Islamic or Indian culture For Muslims the New Year is marked by Muharram and for Hindus it is marked by Chaitra That is why I would like to urge everyone not to adopt European traditions he addedThis is not the first time that the AIMJ chief has issued such a fatwa Last year as well Razvi had cautioned Muslim youth against participating in New Year celebrations IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/up-cleric-again-issues-fatwa-asking-muslims-not-to-celebrate-new-year-656081.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-chandrababu-naidu-jagan-condole-demise-of-eminent-islamic-scholar-656121.html Amaravati Dec 29 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have expressed grief over the demise of eminent Islamic scholar Maulana Mufti Abdul Wahab The Chief Minister took to X to pay his tributes to Mufti Abdul Wahab who passed away on SundayI am deeply shocked to learn that the renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Islamic jurist and esteemed guide to society Hazrat Maulana Mufti Abdul Wahab Saheb Qasimi Rashadi from Nellore has departed from us He dedicated over 60 years of his life to Islamic education teaching the Qurâan and Hadith and serving Jamia NoorulHuda Madrasa he postedHe noted that for 50 years Mufti Abdul Wahab served as the President of the Andhra Pradesh State TabligheJamaat and from 2008 onward as the honorary President of the Andhra Pradesh State JamiatulUlama He attained mastery in Arabic literature Fiqh Hadith and other Islamic sciences A jurist of complete understanding in numerous Islamic educational fields he devoted himself to religious and social services I pray to the Almighty that his soul finds eternal peace he addedLaw and Minorities Welfare Minister NMD Farooq also condoled the passing away of the prominent Islamic scholar recalling Mufti Abdul Wahabs distinguished services in the fields of Islamic religion and education and his valuable teachings that contributed to the development of society He stated that the death of Abdul Wahab who trained many people across the state with discipline and moral values is an irreparable loss to the Muslim communityExpressing his condolences he said that he prayed to Allah to grant him a high place in heaven and to give strength to his family membersYSRCP President and former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed deep grief over the passing away of eminent Islamic scholar and spiritual leaderIn a condolence message he said the death of Maulana Abdul Wahab is an irreparable loss to the Muslim community and the field of Islamic spiritual service He noted that the Maulana had been unwell for some time and breathed his last on Sunday evening in NelloreMaulana Abdul Wahab was a highly respected Islamic scholar and jurist who dedicated more than six decades to Islamic education and the teaching of the Quran and Hadith He served for many years at Jamia Noorul Huda Madrasa and played a key role in shaping thousands of students Jagan Mohan Reddy saidHe also pointed out that the Maulana served as the state president of Tablighi Jamaat for nearly 50 years and later as the honorary president of the State JamiatulUlama from 2008 Remembering him as the first Mufti of Nellore district he said his services to Islam and education will always be rememberedHe conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family followers and students and prayed for strength for them to bear the loss IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-chandrababu-naidu-jagan-condole-demise-of-eminent-islamic-scholar-656121.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/andhra-marching-towards-quantum-yug-shivraj-singh-chouhan-655682.html Amaravati Dec 25 Union Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that Andhra Pradesh is marching towards âQuantum Yugâ and expressed hope that Amaravati will emerge as a great capital city in future He said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is marching ahead to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047 Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is taking the initiative to establish a healthy wealthy and happy Andhra Pradesh to achieve Swarnandhra PradeshAddressing âGood Governance Dayâ celebrations organised by the state government he remarked that the PM Modi and Chandrababu Babu combination will make the country number oneâFor Andhra Pradesh to become healthy wealthy and happy under the leadership of the esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji the central government will leave no stone unturned We will walk shoulder to shoulderâ he saidEarlier the Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Venkatapalem in the Amaravati capital region on the occasion of Good Governance Day Atal Bihari Vajpayee centenary celebrations Later they planted saplings in the Vajpayee Memorial ParkSpeaking on the occasion the Union Minister described Vajpayee as a great patriot and Ajata Satru He stated that Vajpayee has left such an imprint on Indias politics that it will remain etched for centuriesâAtal Ji is our inspiration When I was studying in Bhopal I heard Atal Ji for the first time His words still echo in my earsâ he saidHe said former Prime Minister Jawaharlal had also recognised the efficiency of Vajpayee and predicted that one day Vajpayee would become Prime Minister He said Vajpayee also played a constructive role while in opposition and supported Indira Gandhi to protect the interests of the country He said Vajpayee demonstrated Indiaâs power through the Pokhran atomic testsChouhan said that the relationship between Vajpayee and Chandrababu Naidu was not merely political but it was a partnership of trust vision and developmentChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu described Shivraj Singh Chouhan as a practical politician who plants saplings daily to protect the environment He said that the government can develop the Vajpayee memorial park in Amaravati with the sacrifice of capital region farmersBJP state president PVN Madhav Union Ministers Srinivas Varma Pemmasani Chandrasekhar Ministers Satyakumar Yadav P Narayana and Kandula Durgesh addressed the gatheringEarlier Union Minister Chouhan met Chandrababu Naidu at the latterâs residence âWe had a detailed discussion on key aspects of agriculture and rural development in the state focusing on policy initiatives infrastructure enhancement farmer welfare and sustainable agricultural practicesâ Chouhan posted on âXâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/andhra-marching-towards-quantum-yug-shivraj-singh-chouhan-655682.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/beijing-in-terror-spotlight-over-oppression-of-uyghur-movement-655709.html New Delhi Dec 25 Beijing has largely remained outside the direct spotlight of terror outfits but a recent report on alQaidaâs threat has added a volatile security dimension for China Allegations of atrocities against the Uyghur community in Xinjiang province remain one of the most pressing human rights issues globally with reports from international human rights organisations and even the United Nations detailing systemic repressionThe threat to China in connection with the Uyghur Muslim situation there apparently was released recently in a Telegram message quoting the chief of alQaida in the Arabian Peninsula Atef alAwlakiThe statement is said to have celebrated the attacks on Jews and Americans and warned China that its policies toward Uyghurs were under its watchThe statement pledged retaliation against Chinese interests âon land and seaâ if abuses continued against the Uyghurs a Turkic Muslim minority in Chinaâs Xinjiang provinceAmong Beijingâs Afghan outreach lies this aspect too Afghanistanâs role â with the Taliban in control of Kabul and the countryâs proximity to Xinjiang â is considered important for ChinaSince the Talibanâs return to power in 2021 Beijing has sought closer ties driven by security concerns and economic interests However Afghanistanâs ability to help China is limited by its own instability and ideological contradictionsWhile Beijing may secure shortterm cooperation the deeper grievances of Uyghurs remain unresolved Incidentally radical Islamist groups like AlQaida and ISIS consider the present Taliban as being too soft in their âjihadâ and have criticised them for preferring an easier life in governance than on the battlefieldIn fact there have been some heavy fights as well The Wakhan Corridor situated in Afghanistanâs Badakhshan Province connects the region where the Uyghur ethnic group is demanding an independent state for themselves This autonomous region in northwest China borders several Central Asian countriesBeijing seeks Kabulâs cooperation as a security buffer with Uyghur separatists having alleged bases in AfghanistanChina is reportedly pressing the Taliban to crack down on the Uyghursâ East Turkestan Islamic Movement ETIM which Beijing labels a terrorist organisationThe ETIM considers China as an occupier as it intends to liberate itself through an armed uprising Since 2017 reports have surfaced of mass detentions forced labour and cultural erasure in what China calls âvocational training centresâ of the regionChina insists it has indulged in retaliatory measures with counterterrorism exercise against separatist groups like the ETIM which are denounced by rights groupsA UN OHCHR Report in 2022 found âserious human rights violationsâ that may constitute crimes against humanity Reports highlight the arbitrary detention of over one million Uyghurs the suppression of religious practices and the stateâs surveillance and indoctrination campaigns aimed at erasing their identityThe purported alQaida statement marks a shift where it has largely prioritised the US and Israel but the Uyghur issue now seems to have drawn its attention However in March 2017 ISIS released a video showcasing Uyghur armed rebels among its organisationThe video had also threatened China with violent retaliation reportedly showing the execution of an alleged informant by the Uyghur militantsA commentary earlier this year in Defence One a media partner of the 2025 Global Security Forum had commented âNow in 2025 there is less doubt that China is in the crosshairs of transnational terror groups Capable and determined violent nonstate actors could give China trouble in various hotspots around the world â in Syria Afghanistan Pakistan and elsewhereâIn conclusion it said âBeijing was once suspected of overhyping its terror threat but no longer As China continues to expand its Belt and Road Initiative with Chinese personnel and infrastructure expanding across the globe there will likely be more incidents of kidnapping for ransom terrorist attacks and other actions targeting a growing Chinese presence abroadâChinese projects and their nationals involved in such programmes in Afghanistan and Pakistan have experienced such attacks in the past IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/beijing-in-terror-spotlight-over-oppression-of-uyghur-movement-655709.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 20:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/on-christmas-andhra-govt-releases-one-year-honorarium-for-pastors-655582.html Amaravati Dec 25 As part of Christmas gift the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has released Rs 5050 crore towards honorarium for last one year to pastors in the state The amount has been credited to the bank accounts of 8148 pastorsThe TDPled coalition released funds to the tune of Rs 505080000 towards payment of honorarium to pastors from December 2024 to November 2025Each pastor has received a monthly honorarium of Rs 6000 for 12 monthsWhile participating in Semi Christmas celebrations on December 22 Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that funds would be released for honorarium to pastorsIn April the government disbursed honorarium for pastors from May 2024 to November 2024 The government had released Rs 30 crore ahead of Good FridayThe NDA government has enhanced the monthly honorarium from Rs 5000 to Rs 6000The ruling alliance which includes the BJP and Jana Sena had promised in last years elections that the schemes for the welfare of minorities including honorarium for pastors would continueThe National Christian Council had last year thanked Chief Minister Naidu for the resumption of honorarium payments to pastorsThe Council said that the Christian community has long awaited this development along with the continuation of the subsidy scheme for pilgrimage to JerusalemThe state government has been paying honorariums to Archakas or priests of Hindu temples imams muezzins and pastorsThe government recently completed the disbursement of honorarium to imams and muezzins for six months The government released Rs 45 crore for this purposeIt was in 2019 that the then YSR Congress Party government headed by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had launched payment of honorarium to pastors as promised during the electionsThe BJP had then condemned the governments move and accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of misusing governmentpaid village volunteers to identify pastors and pay a monthly stipend IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/on-christmas-andhra-govt-releases-one-year-honorarium-for-pastors-655582.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-celebrates-christmas-rooted-in-faith-diversity-and-shared-life-655591.html Thiruvananathapuram Dec 25 Christmas in Kerala unfolds with a warmth that goes beyond ritual shaped by a Christian community that forms nearly 18 per cent of the States 330 crore population and a social fabric that embraces the festival as its own The celebrations reflect both faith and diversity of belief tradition and history seamlessly woven into everyday lifeChristians in Kerala are far from a homogeneous groupCatholics spread across three distinct churches that all owe allegiance to the Pope constitute the largest segmentThey are followed by the Kottayamheadquartered Syrian Orthodox Church with deep historical roots in the StateAlongside them exist around five other major churches each with its own liturgical practices customs and ecclesiastical structuresThis pluralism finds expression most vividly during Christmas when different traditions converge around a shared message of faith and fellowshipOn Christmas Thursday the day began early following the solemn midnight Mass Churches across Kerala from Fort Kochi and Varapuzha to Kottayam and the hill parishes of Idukki open their doors to packed congregationsWhitewashed facades glow under soft lights nativity scenes are carefully arranged and choirs sing ageold Malayalam carols that have become inseparable from the seasonWhile the rituals differ subtly across denominations the spirit remains universalBeyond churches homes reflect the festive moodStar lanterns glow on verandas Christmas trees stand decorated and kitchens hum with activity Keralaâs Christmas cuisine plum cakes steeped in tradition achappam and kuzhalappam fried in batches and elaborate lunches often blends denominational customs with local flavoursVisitors are welcomed without appointment plates exchanged more readily than gifts Public spaces mirror this opennessMarkets stay lively beaches and town squares turn into informal gathering points and cultural programmes and charity initiatives underline the festivals social reachChristmas in Kerala has long transcended religious boundaries becoming a shared cultural markerThis year as in many others the festival carries a reflective undertone amid economic and political uncertaintiesYet Christmas offers a pause a reminder that Keralas strength lies in its ability to celebrate difference while holding fast to togethernessHere Christmas lingers not just in hymns and meals but in shared moments of quiet hopeThe major difference today is that Christmas like other traditional festivals in Kerala has become truly secular in its expressionThe sight of a glowing Christmas star at the entrance of a house no longer signals a Christian home aloneAcross towns and villages households of different faiths put up stars as readily as lamps for Onam or lights for Vishu treating the festival as part of Keralas shared cultural calendar rather than a marker of religious identityIn this quiet everyday way Christmas has moved beyond the boundaries of the Church to become a season owned collectively reflecting the States longstanding habit of turning faithbased celebrations into inclusive social traditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-celebrates-christmas-rooted-in-faith-diversity-and-shared-life-655591.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-celebrates-christmas-with-devotion-great-fervour-655595.html New Delhi Dec 25 Christmas was celebrated across the country on Thursday with great fervour devotion and joy as churches resonated with hymns prayers and messages of peace love and unity From metropolitan cities to small towns the birth of Jesus Christ was commemorated with midnight Masses special prayers illuminated churches and enthusiastic participation by devoteesIn Mysuru Karnataka Christians gathered in large numbers at prominent churches including the iconic St Philomenaâs Cathedral to mark the festival Latenight prayer services were held as devotees offered prayers for peace prosperity and the wellbeing of all The celebrations were marked by the exchange of greetings gifts and sweets reflecting the spirit of togetherness that defines ChristmasSimilarly in Bihars Patna special prayers were held at the ProCathedral Church on Ashok Rajpath As the clock struck midnight to mark the birth of Jesus Christ devotees reverently kissed the infant Jesus placed in the crib symbolising devotion and faith The church echoed with carols and prayers while families exchanged warm wishes after the serviceIn the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu Christmas was celebrated with solemn devotion and enthusiasm Special prayers were organised in churches across the district with Christians participating in large numbers The Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dharmapuri witnessed elaborate celebrations where a special Christmas Mass was conducted under the leadership of Dharmapuri Diocese Bishop Lawrence Pius District Vicar General Arulraj and Diocesan Procurator Soosairaj were also present during the serviceIn Gangavalli of Salem district Tamil Nadu the historic Christ the King Church celebrated Christmas with great enthusiasm A special Mass was held attended by over 300 Christians along with their families The church premises featured a hut depicting the birth of baby Jesus adorned with electric lights along with tall brightly lit Christmas trees Devotees worshipped baby Jesus cut cakes shared sweets and exchanged greetings celebrating the birth of Christ with joy and devotionIn Puri Odisha churches were beautifully decorated as the town immersed itself in festive cheer The Puri Catholic Church witnessed vibrant celebrations with devotees gathering to welcome the birth of Lord Jesus Christ at midnight Bearing the message of peace unity and love the occasion was marked with prayers hymns and illuminated decorations reflecting the sacredness of the day considered the holiest in ChristianityIn the national capital security arrangements were heightened outside Delhiâs Sacred Heart Cathedral Church at Gol Dak Khana as large crowds gathered to attend Christmas prayers Barricades were put in place to manage the influx of devotees ensuring smooth and safe celebrationsIn Etah Uttar Pradesh Christmas Day was celebrated with equal enthusiasm Churches were beautifully decorated with lights special prayer services were held and devotees offered prayers commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ The celebrations were marked by the sharing of greetings and a spirit of joy and harmonyChristmas marks the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ and is observed every year on December 25 Celebrated worldwide the festival symbolises hope peace forgiveness and love holding deep religious significance for Christians Over time it has also evolved into a cultural celebration that transcends religious boundariesHistorically Christmas reflects a blend of Christian beliefs and ancient winter traditions While Christians believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God the Bible does not specify the exact date of his birth Early Christians chose December 25 to coincide with existing winter festivals allowing the message of Christianity to spread more widely Today Christmas continues to unite people across communities spreading a universal message of compassion harmony and goodwill IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-celebrates-christmas-with-devotion-great-fervour-655595.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jagan-offers-prayers-with-family-members-at-andhras-pulivendula-church-655599.html Kadapa Dec 25 YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy celebrated Christmas along with family members at the CSI Church in their hometown Pulivendula on Thursday Jagans mother Y S Vijayamma wife Y S Bharathi Reddy cousin and Kadapa MP Y S Avinash Reddy and other senior YSRCP leaders participated in the eventThe YSRCP chief cut the Christmas cake in the presence of family members friends and wellwishers and exchanged greetings and pleasantries with themEarlier Jagan Mohan Reddy extended warm Christmas greetings to Christians across Andhra Pradesh and the worldIn his message on the occasion of Christmas Jagan said the festival marks the birth of Jesus Christ who came into the world to guide humanity with noble values and selfless service He stated that Christmas is celebrated globally to remember the divine message delivered through the life of JesusYS Jagan said that compassion love forgiveness patience charity and sacrifice are the timeless values taught by Christ through his life and actionsMeanwhile Jagans sister and Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y S Sharmila also offered prayers on the occasion of ChristmasOn this occasion of the birthday of Christ the embodiment of love who compassionately shared rays of light with humanity through His loving nature Christmas greetings to all I sincerely pray that this festive day brings everlasting joy to your life and that the blessings of Lord Jesus be upon you she posted on âXâChristmas was being celebrated with pomp and gaiety across Andhra Pradesh on ThursdayA large number of people attended midnight mass and morning special prayers Churches were specially decorated on the occasionGovernor S Abdul Nazeer Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and leaders of various parties greeted people on Christmas IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jagan-offers-prayers-with-family-members-at-andhras-pulivendula-church-655599.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/anbumani-ramadoss-flays-tn-govt-for-neglecting-farmers-delay-in-crop-loss-compensation-655603.html Chennai Dec 25 Senior PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday accused the Tamil Nadu government of delaying compensation for crop losses by nearly a year alleging that the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK has failed to provide timely relief to distressed farmers In a statement Anbumani said he initially welcomed recent reports about the State government announcing compensation for crops damaged by heavy rainHowever a closer reading revealed that the allocation of Rs 28963 crore pertains to crop losses suffered during November and December last year and January this year raising serious concerns about the delay in disbursalHe pointed out that paddy crops across Tamil Nadu including major irrigation regions were badly affected by unseasonal rain in October and November last year yet farmers are still waiting for compensationIt is unclear when the announced amount will actually reach farmers The DMK governments apathy and betrayal in providing timely relief to those affected is condemnable he saidUsing a metaphor Anbumani remarked that just as a morsel of rice falling from an elephants mouth cannot feed countless ants the compensation amount announced by the government is insignificant compared to its overall expenditureEven then this assistance is crucial for farmers as it is often the only relief they receive for losses incurred in an entire cropping season Such prolonged delays are unacceptable he addedRecalling earlier announcements the PMK leader said the government had promised Rs 6800 per acre as compensation for crop losses caused by last years rainAs this was deemed inadequate political parties across the spectrum demanded Rs 40000 per acre However the government later announced only Rs 5191 per acre nearly 25 per cent less than what was initially declaredTamil Nadus farmers will never forgive this injustice he warnedAnbumani further alleged that no assistance has yet been sanctioned for crops damaged by rains this year despite the fact that he submitted five separate reports highlighting the issueThis has led to widespread apprehension among farmers that compensation for this years losses may be pushed to next year as wellHe demanded that the DMK government categorically dispel such fears Criticising the governments overall performance Anbumani said that in the fourandahalf years since coming to power the DMK has done little for farmers welfareOf the 56 promises related to agriculture made in the Assembly election manifesto only eight have been fulfilled while the remaining 48 remain unimplemented he claimedHe concluded by warning that the people of Tamil Nadu would teach the DMK a memorable lesson in the coming elections for repeatedly betraying the farming community which he described as the backbone of the State and the worlds food providers IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/anbumani-ramadoss-flays-tn-govt-for-neglecting-farmers-delay-in-crop-loss-compensation-655603.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 12:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jamiat-questions-rss-leaders-remarks-on-islamic-worship-practices-655384.html New Delhi Dec 23 The Jamiat UlamaiHind on Tuesday strongly criticised comments made by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale in which he suggested that Muslims should worship the sun rivers and trees saying the remarks reflected a serious misunderstanding of Islam and Indiaâs pluralistic ethos Jamiat president Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani said Hindus and Muslims have lived together in India for centuries and that the core principles of Islam are well known to any educated personHe stressed that Islam is founded on the belief in Tawhid or the oneness of God and worship of God alone adding that even a minor deviation from this belief places a person outside the fold of the faithExpressing regret over the statement Maulana Madani said senior RSS functionaries appeared to show little seriousness in understanding Islamic beliefsHe underlined that while Islam encourages love for nature and protection of the environment this should not be confused with worship Asking Muslims to worship natural elements he said demonstrated an inability to distinguish between what is revered and what is worshipped in different faith traditionsThe Jamiat chief said such remarks raise questions about the RSSâs capacity to provide national guidance or indicate an unwillingness to engage responsibly with Indiaâs diverse social and religious realityHe added that Jamiat UlamaiHind has consistently worked for communal harmony dialogue and mutual respect and has made efforts in the past to address misconceptions about Islam among RSS leaders and other Hindutvaoriented groupsReferring to earlier interactions he recalled that dialogues were held with former RSS chief KS Sudarshan and others and said the organisation remains open to sincere and meaningful dialogue even todayHowever he expressed concern over what he described as a growing tendency among some RSS leaders to adopt provocative and exclusionary positionsMaulana Madani reiterated Jamiatâs view that the foundation of Indian nationhood lies in the shared homeland with all citizens constituting one nation irrespective of religionCiting BR Ambedkar he said Indiaâs unity rests on constitutional values pluralism and mutual respect IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jamiat-questions-rss-leaders-remarks-on-islamic-worship-practices-655384.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/union-minister-pushes-for-odisha-sebc-communities-entry-into-central-obc-list-655388.html Bhubaneswar Dec 23 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written a letter to D Virendra Kumar Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment seeking his personal intervention for the inclusion of 108 communities listed under the state list of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes SEBC in the central list of Other Backward Classes OBC In his letter Pradhan stated âI would like to draw your kind attention to a matter of great significance concerning the parity between the State and Central lists of Other Backward Classes OBC in Odisha Several communities that are already recognised in the State List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes SEBC by the Government of Odisha are yet to be included in the Central OBC listâThe Union Minister also noted that this inconsistency has created âadministrative ambiguitiesâ and âinterpretational challengesâ for members of these communities especially during migration across states or while trying to access central government services educational institutions or job opportunitiesâOdisha has a substantial SEBC population and their exclusion from the Central OBC list deprives them of uniform access to reservation benefits and welfare schemes available at the national level Inclusion of these communities in the Central OBC list is therefore necessary to ensure parity between the State and Central frameworks while also advancing the cause of social justice and inclusive developmentâ Pradhan added in his letterThe Union Education Minister also shared a detailed list of 108 SEBC communities proposed for inclusion in his letter for consideration and necessary actionâGiven the importance of the matter I request your personal intervention to look into the matter for inclusion of these communities in the Central OBC list which would ensure uniform access to the benefits of reservations and welfare schemes Thus promoting educational and economic advancement among historically disadvantaged groupsâ urged PradhanIt is pertinent here to mention that Pradhan on Monday wrote to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urging his personal intervention for the early reconstitution of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes OSCBC which has remained nonfunctional after the completion of its tenure on January 3 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/union-minister-pushes-for-odisha-sebc-communities-entry-into-central-obc-list-655388.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/christmas-greetings-eps-prays-for-everyones-well-being-underlines-universal-values-of-faith-amp-love-655493.html Chennai Dec 24 Chennai is all set to celebrate Christmas one of the most important festivals of the Christian community with churches homes and public spaces preparing for the occasion As the city gears up for the celebrations political leaders across Tamil Nadu have begun extending Christmas greetings to the peopleIn this context AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami EPS conveyed his Christmas wishes underlining the universal values of faith love and compassion preached by Jesus ChristIn a statement Palaniswami said Christmas marks the incarnation of Jesus Christ who stands as the embodiment of mercy and compassionExtending his heartfelt greetings to Christians he said the holy day is celebrated with joy and devotion by people across the worldRecalling the teachings of Jesus Christ Palaniswami noted that faith has the power to overcome all obstacles in human lifeQuoting the message that nothing is impossible when there is faith he said that if individuals act with firm belief and conviction success in life is assuredHe added that by following the teachings of Jesus people can attain what they truly seek guided by righteousness and devotionThe AIADMK leader emphasised that the life and message of Jesus Christ who conquered the world through love remain deeply relevant even todayOn this sacred occasion marking the birth of Christ he expressed his sincere wishes for the spread of love across the world the establishment of lasting peace the triumph of truth and the strengthening of brotherhood among people of all communitiesPalaniswami further extended special greetings to Christian brothers and sisters celebrating Christmas with their families friends and loved onesHe prayed that all their aspirations may be fulfilled and that they be blessed with complete education steady progress lasting prosperity and good health free from pain and suffering He said he offered these prayers to the Almighty seeking divine grace and wellbeing for allReiterating his commitment to the ideological path laid down by revolutionary leader MG Ramachandran MGR and former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa Palaniswami concluded his message by once again conveying his warm and heartfelt Christmas wishesHis message blending faith with social harmony comes at a time when Christmas celebrations across Tamil Nadu are expected to highlight unity compassion and shared cultural spirit IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/christmas-greetings-eps-prays-for-everyones-well-being-underlines-universal-values-of-faith-amp-love-655493.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-theft-case-sit-reaches-chennai-amp-bellary-again-655506.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 24 The investigation into the Sabarimala gold and idol smuggling case has gathered pace with the Special Investigation Team SIT expanding its operations across multiple states even as former Devaswom Board members move courts fearing arrest Ever since the Kerala High Courtappointed SIT began its probe nine people have been arrestedBased on information from veteran CWC member and senior legislator Ramesh Chennithala the SIT has intensified efforts to trace a key individual referred to as D Mani whose name surfaced in the statement of a Dubaibased businessmanA special squad within the SIT has been tasked exclusively with tracking this person with the probe currently focused on ChennaiInvestigators have already held phone conversations with members of Manis Chennaibased group and have travelled to the city to collect further evidence and formally record statementsAccording to the businessmans testimony four panchaloha fivemetal alloy idols were smuggled out of Sabarimala during the 2019â20 period and handed over to Mani a Chennai nativeThe witness alleged that a senior official connected with the Sabarimala administration led the operation with an internationally linked network involvedThe nowarrested and prime accused Unnikrishna Potti was named as the intermediaryThe businessman further claimed that the payment for the idols was handed over in October 2020 at a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram attended by Mani Potti and the senior officialThe SIT has said it is conducting preliminary checks to assess the credibility of these claims though Potti has denied any link with Mani who is also reportedly known as Dawood Mani and Dubai ManiMeanwhile a team of the SIT has reached Bellari in Karnataka where searches are underway at Govardhans Jewellery firmGovardhan was arrested earlier by a special team and this marks the second visit by investigators to BellariDuring a previous search gold was seized as part of the probeMeanwhile former Devaswom Board members KP Shankardas and N Vijayakumar have approached the Kollam Vigilance Court seeking anticipatory bailBoth were members of the Board when the nowarrested A Padmakumar served as its presidentThe High Court had recently observed that all members of the Devaswom Board bear equal responsibility in matters related to the alleged smugglingIt had also sharply criticised the SIT for not extending the investigation to Shankardas and VijayakumarPadmakumar has maintained that all members share collective responsibility including in matters related to the handing over of gold sheets to intermediariesThe Kerala High Court is expected to give its ruling on a petition filed by the State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar seeking a CBI probe into the gold heist when the Court resumes its sitting after Christmas recess IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-theft-case-sit-reaches-chennai-amp-bellary-again-655506.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-tension-in-ujjain-over-love-jihad-case-heavy-police-deployed--655546.html Ujjain Dec 24 Tension gripped the Hamidpur market in Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday after a protest by Bajrang Dal activists over an alleged âlovejihadâ case turned violent A large group of activists staged demonstrations blocked roads and forced shopkeepers to shut down the market The protest escalated into violence with some shops allegedly set on fire and public property damaged prompting the local administration to deploy heavy police forces to maintain law and orderThe unrest followed the arrest of a Muslim youth identified as Juber late Tuesday night by Mahidpur police He has been accused of entering a Hindu household in Hamidpur and allegedly attempting to molest a minor girl According to reports Juber was overpowered by Bajrang Dal activists before being handed over to the police A video circulating on social media shows him being beaten with sticks before his arrestHamidpur police confirmed that Juber has been booked under Section 354 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS and that the case is under investigationOn Wednesday morning Bajrang Dal members and other rightwing activists gathered in Hamidpur market demanding strict action against the youth who works as a driver Protesters also called on traders and shop owners to remove Muslim drivers and employees The demonstration soon turned violent resulting in arson and damage to several shops and propertiesUjjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said additional forces have been deployed to restore order âA youth was arrested on Tuesday and booked under Section 354 of BNS A protest was held but the situation is under control Those who attempted to disturb law and order will be punishedâ Sharma told reportersThe situation in Hamidpur market remained tense but authorities said law and order have been brought under control IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-tension-in-ujjain-over-love-jihad-case-heavy-police-deployed--655546.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bihar-hijab-row-cyber-crime-cell-asks-meta-to-provide-details-of-account-used-to-threaten-cm-nitish-kumar-655212.html Patna Dec 22 Cyber crime cell of Patna served a notice to Meta to provide details of the threatening video to target Chief Minister Nitish Kumar post Hijab controversy on Monday âWe have issued a formal notice to Meta the parent company of social media platforms seeking details of the account that posted the threatening content along with technical dataâ said an officer of the cyber cellAccording to police sources the incident is directly linked to the recent hijabrelated controversy during a public eventA user identifying himself as Shahzad Bhatti who claimed to be a don from Pakistan uploaded a video on Instagram threatening Bihar Chief Minister Nitish KumarIn the video the accused allegedly warned Nitish Kumar to apologise issuing an explicit threat that authorities have taken very seriouslyThe notice sent to Meta requests to provide the IP address from which the threatening video was uploaded account login details and technical data to identify the geographical location of the userPolice are also probing whether the account was operated from outside India and whether any organised foreign network may be involvedOn the directions of the Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar an FIR has been registered at the Patna Cyber Police Station and Patna range Inspector General IG of Patna is looking after this caseCyber forensic experts are analysing the videoâs authenticity upload source and dissemination patternA major security alert has been triggered after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar received death threats on social media in the wake of the recent hijab controversyGiven the threat to the Chief Ministerâs security intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the caseOfficials said that once Meta submits the requested information police will track the login location of the accountA special investigation team may be constituted to identify and arrest those involvedThe state government has made it clear that strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to threaten or compromise the security and dignity of the Chief MinisterThe Bihar police have already enhanced the security of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after this threatNow only selected officers can reach the Chief Minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bihar-hijab-row-cyber-crime-cell-asks-meta-to-provide-details-of-account-used-to-threaten-cm-nitish-kumar-655212.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pmk-leader-ramadoss-calls-for-federal-structure-in-sri-lanka-says-unitary-system-failed-tamils-655225.html Chennai Dec 22 Pattali Makkal Katchi PMK founder S Ramadoss on Monday urged Sri Lanka to abandon its existing unitary constitutional setup and adopt a federal political framework that acknowledges the Tamil homeland and guarantees the right to selfdetermination for ethnic Tamils In a detailed statement issued after a meeting with the Tamil National Peoples Front TNPF Ramadoss said the Sri Lankan government must recognise that the longstanding grievances of Eelam Tamils cannot be resolved within the present unitary frameworkHe warned that without a structural overhaul the island nation would continue to witness deepening ethnic divisions and persistent rights violationsRamadoss said senior TNPF leaders led by Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam met him at his residence on December 20 and briefed him on the alarming ground situation in the Tamilmajority regions of the Northern and Eastern provincesThe delegation told the PMK leader that although the civil war ended 16 years ago Sri Lanka continues to engage in what they termed structural genocide of Tamils through land grabs demographic engineering militarisation and suppression of dissentThe PMK leader said that despite the formal end of the conflict in May 2009 living conditions for Eelam Tamils remain troublingThe denial of meaningful political autonomy combined with economic hardship has left communities frustrated and disillusioned he addedRecalling the provisions of the 1987 IndiaâSri Lanka Accord Ramadoss emphasised that the agreement clearly mandated the devolution of powers to Tamils through provincial councilsYet nearly four decades later no substantial authority has been transferred the PMK leader saidHe noted that the 13th Constitutional Amendment introduced under pressure from India remains largely ineffective because it functions within a unitary frameworkSri Lankas Supreme Court has ruled on 32 occasions that genuine powersharing cannot occur unless the unitary structure is dismantled he saidRamadoss accused the current Anura Kumara Dissanayakeled Sri Lankan government of attempting to push forward a new constitution that like earlier drafts from 2015 to 2019 would centralise authority further and uphold the SinhalaBuddhist dominanceCalling the situation critical Ramadoss urged the Union government to intervene diplomatically to prevent the passage of such a ConstitutionOnly a federal system that recognises the sovereignty of the Tamil homeland and protects their right to selfrule can fulfil the spirit of the IndiaâSri Lanka Accord and end ongoing oppression the PMK leader asserted IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pmk-leader-ramadoss-calls-for-federal-structure-in-sri-lanka-says-unitary-system-failed-tamils-655225.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/900-special-buses-to-operate-across-tn-from-chennai-to-manage-christmas-rush-655247.html Chennai Dec 23 To cater to the expected surge in passenger movement ahead of Christmas the State Express Transport Corporation SETC has announced the operation of 900 special bus services from Chennai to various parts of Tamil Nadu over the next two days The transport authorities expect a sharp rise in travel from Chennai and other major cities as people head to their hometowns and religious destinations to celebrate the festival In view of the increased demand the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation TNSTC has decided to operate special buses in addition to its regular services to ensure smooth travel for passengersAccording to officials the majority of the special services will be operated from the Kilambakkam Integrated Bus Terminus which handles longdistance services from southern ChennaiFrom Kilambakkam 255 special buses will be operated on Wednesday while 525 buses will be run on Thursday connecting Chennai with various parts of the state The special services will cater to highdemand routes such as Tiruvannamalai Tiruchirappalli Kumbakonam Madurai Tirunelveli Nagercoil Kanyakumari Thoothukudi Coimbatore Salem Erode and TiruppurThese destinations typically witness heavy passenger movement during festival seasons especially from officegoers and students travelling back to their native places In addition special buses will also operate from Chennai and Coimbatore to destinations including Tiruvannamalai Nagapattinam Velankanni Hosur and BengaluruA total of 91 special buses have been scheduled on these routes over the two days Another 20 special buses will be operated from Madhavaram in North Chennai to further ease passenger congestionOfficials said that based on demand special return services will also be operated on Sunday from various parts of Tamil Nadu to Chennai and Bengaluru facilitating the return of passengers after the Christmas holidaysPassengers have been advised to plan their travel in advance and use official booking platforms to avoid lastminute inconvenience The transport corporations said the additional services are aimed at ensuring safe comfortable and timely travel during the festive season IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/900-special-buses-to-operate-across-tn-from-chennai-to-manage-christmas-rush-655247.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/everything-done-lawfully-shivakumar-on-indias-tallest-jesus-statue-installation--654877.html Bengaluru Dec 20 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar claimed on Saturday that everything has been done lawfully with the installation of the countryâs tallest Jesus statue in his constituency in Kanakapura âI am committed to provide land for the Baldwin institution in North Bengaluru In my Kanakapura Constituency I have ensured that 10 acres of land is allotted from the government to build a 100foot Jesus statue I paid money prescribed by the government for itâ said Shivakumar while addressing the United Christmas celebration in Bengaluru organised by the Baldwin Methodist Education Society run by the Methodist Church in IndiaHe said that people have criticised and targeted him adding that the matter is with the court and everything has been done lawfully nowâI have faith in all religions I believe in humanity As per the request of the Bishop I want to assure that I fulfil his demandsâ he saidThe construction of the proposed 114foot Jesus statue in the Kanakapura region is currently stopped due to a Karnataka High Court order and ongoing legal disputes over the land allotment by the governmentThe BJP and Hindutva organisations had organised largescale protests against the building of the statueThe project initiated by Shivakumar and the Harobele Kapalabetta Development Trust aimed to build one of the countryâs tallest monolithic Jesus statues on Kapalabetta hill in Harobele villageShivakumar arrived two hours late for the United Christmas celebration as he had taken responsibility for the protest held at Freedom Park earlier in the dayShivakumar said the protests against the National Herald case and the MGNREGA issue were held under his leadership which resulted in the delay IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/everything-done-lawfully-shivakumar-on-indias-tallest-jesus-statue-installation--654877.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/meditation-vital-for-inner-peace-social-harmony-says-vp-radhakrishnan-654963.html New Delhi Dec 21 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Sunday participated in the World Meditation Day celebrations at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana highlighting the timeless relevance of meditation in fostering inner peace emotional wellbeing and social harmony Addressing the gathering the Vice President said that meditation is a universal practice that transcends cultural geographical and religious boundariesHe described it as a path to mental clarity emotional stability and inner transformation and noted that World Meditation Day provides an opportunity to recognise its growing importance in modern lifeThe Vice President recalled Indiaâs role in cosponsoring the United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring 21 December as World Meditation Day describing it as a global recognition of the power of meditation to promote mental wellbeing and spiritual growthHe also appreciated the contribution of Daaji in spreading the practice of meditation globallyHe added that India with its centuriesold traditions of meditation yoga and spiritual inquiry continues to offer enduring wisdom to the worldHighlighting Indiaâs civilisational heritage he said that meditation in Bharat has long been regarded as an ancient science of the mind and spirit nurtured by sages and seersDrawing upon teachings from the Bhagavad Gita and the Tamil spiritual classic Thirumantiram he emphasised that mastery of the mind through meditation leads to inner harmony selfrealisation and ethical livingThe Vice President underlined that meditation has a vital role to play in the journey towards Viksit Bharat2047He said that national development must encompass not only economic progress but also emotional wellbeing and spiritual upliftment and that meditation can contribute significantly to building a peaceful resilient and compassionate societyReferring to the vision of Mission LiFE the Vice President said that meditation nurtures values such as mindfulness responsibility and harmony with nature which are essential for sustainable livingHe appreciated Kanha Shanti Vanam for adopting environmentally responsible practices and promoting holistic wellbeingCalling upon citizens to integrate meditation into daily life he urged individuals families and communities to lead by example and encourage future generations to embrace practices that promote mental peace balance and harmonyGovernor of Telangana Jishnu Dev Varma Minister Government of Telangana D Sridhar Babu and Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness Meditation Daaji Kamlesh D Patel and other dignitaries along with thousands joined the meditation session at Kanha Shanti Vanam IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/meditation-vital-for-inner-peace-social-harmony-says-vp-radhakrishnan-654963.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ed-gets-the-nod-to-probe-sabarimala-gold-heist-as-court-rejects-sit-objections-654548.html Kollam Kerala Dec 19 The Enforcement Directorate ED will register a case and initiate an investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft following an order by the vigilance court in Keralas Kollam The court on Friday directed that all documents related to the case be handed over to the ED including the FIR remand report and other connected recordsIt dismissed objections raised by the Special Investigation Team SIT against sharing the case materials with the EDThe SIT had opposed the ED conducting what it termed a parallel investigation into the caseThe order was passed on a petition filed by the ED seeking access to the records in order to probe alleged moneylaundering aspects linked to the theftThe financial probe agency told the court that documents such as the FIR and remand report were essential for examining financial transactions connected to the caseWhile the SIT submitted that it had no objection to a probe into money laundering it argued that a parallel investigation by the ED was unnecessaryThe prosecution appearing for the SIT contended that allowing a separate probe could hamper efforts to identify additional accused in the caseThe court however rejected these submissions and ordered that all records be provided to the EDIn a related development the Kerala High Court on Friday dismissed the bail pleas of Travancore Devaswom Boards former President N Vasu and former administrative officer Murari Babu who are among the accused in the Sabarimala gold theft casesThe case against Vasu alleges that he recorded the gold sheets affixed to the wooden planks of the sanctum sanctorum as copper sheets and recommended their removalMurari Babu is accused of falsely recording the gold sheets as copper thereby creating conditions that facilitated the theftSince the probe began by the SIT till now seven people six of them attached to the Travancore Devasom Board and the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti have been arrested and are lodged in jail IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ed-gets-the-nod-to-probe-sabarimala-gold-heist-as-court-rejects-sit-objections-654548.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/clericarrestedforsexuallyabusing-madrassa-student-in-upsbahraich-654585.html Lucknow Dec 19 A cleric in Uttar Pradeshâs Bahraich district was arrested by the police for sexually assaulting a madrassa student and threatening her with life if she approached cops or disclosed it to anyone The girl was sexually abused by the madrassa cleric a week ago but the matter only came to light after the frightened girl told her parents about the disturbing episode Her parents lodged a complaint with the Bahraich police following which he was apprehendedThe cleric attempted to rape the student on December 12 after calling her to clean the madrasa premises He also warned her against discussing it with anyone The student was sent for a medical examinationThe incident took place at Madrassa Darul Uloom GulshaneSyed Mehboob Ashraf in Ranjitbojha village near RupaidihaAccording to the girlâs family she was called by the maulvi cleric named Salman to sweep the premises When she reached the madrassa she was locked by the cleric inside a room and then he tried to force himself upon herHe also threatened to kill the student if she talked about it to anyone It was a week later that she confided in her mother after which the family filed the complaintPolice officials said that the moment they received information about the incident they initiated action and arrested the cleric over an attempt to rapeThe girls family is demanding strict punishment for the accused Police are also questioning other female students of the madrassa to expedite the investigationNotably the madrassa has been under the police lens before also and faced action for alleged indulgence in black magicSometime ago it was found to be involved in illegal practices dealing with witchcraft During the police investigation amulets and various items associated with black magic were found inside the madrasaThe madrassa operators were let off with a stern warning however a portion of the building was demolished using a bulldozer IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/clericarrestedforsexuallyabusing-madrassa-student-in-upsbahraich-654585.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/calcutta-hc-scraps-pil-challenging-proposed-construction-of-babri-mosque-at-beldanga-654377.html Kolkata Dec 18 The Calcutta High Court on Thursday scrapped the public interest litigation filed challenging the proposed construction of Babri Mosque at Beldanga in West Bengals Murshidabad district as proposed by the nowsuspended Trinamool Congress legislator Humayun Kabir The foundation stone for the mosque was laid on December 6 The proposed Babri Mosque at Beldanga will be in line with the original construction at Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya which was demolished on December 6 1992As the public interest litigation filed challenging the proposed mosque at Beldanga came up for hearing before the division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen the bench observed that the petition in the matter had no legal acceptabilityThe bench also rejected the argument of the petitioner that Kabir started the construction work for the proposed Babri Mosque without taking prior permission from the district administration It observed that since the land on which the proposed mosque was being se up was private land and not government land the petition challenging that construction had no legal acceptabilityIn the public interest litigation the petitioner claimed that the announcements made by Kabir regarding the proposed mosque along with provocative statements made by him on this issue could hamper the ambience of communal harmony in the stateThe Trinamool started distancing itself from Kabir since he made the announcement for setting up the Babri Mosque at Beldanga A couple of days before the foundation stone laying ceremony he was suspended from the party on charges of antiparty activitiesKabir has also already announced that he will announce his own political party on December 22 and on that day he will also announce the names of the office bearers of his political partyHe also announced that his new political outfit will be contesting from over 100 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal in alliance with Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisis All India MajliseIttehadul Muslimeen AIMIM and also with the Left Front provided the latter agrees to that alliance IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/calcutta-hc-scraps-pil-challenging-proposed-construction-of-babri-mosque-at-beldanga-654377.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/karnataka-assembly-clears-hate-speech-regulation-bill-654393.html Belagavi Karnataka Dec 18 The Karnataka Assembly passed the controversial Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention and Control Bill 2025 on Thursday amid objections from the opposition BJP Home Minister G Parameshwara sought a vote on the Bill and Speaker UT Khader after putting it to a vote declared that a majority of members in the House were in favour of the Bill and that it stood passedParameshwara subsequently offered an explanation on the provisions of the Bill which was tabled in the Assembly on December 10Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had said that the tabling of the Hate Speech Regulation Bill in the Assembly is part of our governments agenda to preserve peace and law and order in our stateDealing with the offence of hate crime the bill says that any person who harms incites harm or promotes or propagates hatred arising from prejudice or intolerance against another individual based on the victims actual or perceived religion race caste or community sex gender sexual orientation place of birth residence language disability tribe or due to their family members characteristics or their association with a group sharing such characteristics shall be guilty of the offence of hate crimeThe Congress government drafted the Bill after a series of revenge killings in Mangaluru drew national concernA special force has been formed to prevent further violence and dedicated units are tracking social media activity that could lead to unrestUnder the Bill those convicted of a hate crime may face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to Rs 5000 or bothThe offence is described as noncognisable and nonbailable to be tried by a First Class MagistrateFor hate speech the Bill prescribes a similar punishment of imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to Rs 5000 or bothThis offence is also noncognisable and nonbailableFor repeated offences the Bill proposes punishment of imprisonment up to 10 yearsUnion Minister for Food Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi earlier had criticised the Karnataka governments legislation prescribing a 10year jail term for hate speech saying that it reflects the Congresss cruel traditionHe claimed the legislation creates an atmosphere of fear among the public and makes it clear that it has been introduced with the malicious intent of political controlBy doing so the Congressled state government is snatching away everyones freedom of speech This bill showcases the Congress partys cruel legacy and stands as a mirror to the governments misgovernance he alleged IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/karnataka-assembly-clears-hate-speech-regulation-bill-654393.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/haryana-assembly-adopts-resolution-to-commemorate-martyrdom-year-of-guru-tegh-bahadur-654411.html Chandigarh Dec 18 The Haryana Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution to commemorate the 350th martyrdom year of Guru Tegh Bahadur the protector of Indias honour The historic decision on the first day of the threeday Assembly session reflected the collective respect and reverence besides underscoring the states commitment to honouring the ideals of righteousness human dignity and selfless service exemplified by the ninth Sikh guruSpeaking in the House while donning a Sikh turban Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini conveyed the sentiments of the state government and all citizens highlighting the enduring legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur whose life and sacrifice symbolised the very soul of Indian civilisation a soul willing to uphold truth righteousness human dignity and never bowing to injusticeThe Chief Minister said on August 25 that the proposal for the statewide celebration of Guru Tegh Bahadurs 350th martyrdom year was unanimously passed in the HouseHe emphasised that this resolution was not merely formal but an extension of Haryanas tradition of embracing the ideals of gurus saints and great personalities in public lifeTo implement the resolution inclusively Chief Minister Saini said an allparty meeting was organised in Chandigarh on November 3Representatives from all political parties provided significant suggestions to make the observances meaningful and grandHe noted the meeting became a fine example of Haryanas democratic tradition and cultural unity as everyone expressed respect for the states glorious history and heritage rising above political differencesThe Chief Minister said the state government has faithfully sensitively and inclusively implemented the resolution on the groundIn collaboration with the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee numerous events were organised across the state aiming not only to pay homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib but also to inspire the younger generation with his life teachings and supreme sacrificeHe emphasised that efforts ensured the revered Sikh Gurus message reached every village town school institution and homeIn keeping with the Sikh Gurus teachings the Chief Minister said that 350 blood donation camps were organised across Haryana collecting more than 23000 units of bloodChief Minister Saini said that a forest was developed in the name of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur in Kalesar in Yamunanagar district which included sapling plantations a wildlife conservation block and the construction of the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur gateIn Yamunanagar Guru Tegh Bahadur Agricultural College was announced in Kishanpura linking Guru Sahibs name with education and agricultureCM Saini noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modis participation on November 25 added further significance to the eventsOn the same day he inaugurated the Anubhav Kendra based on the Mahabharata theme and the Panchajanya Memorial at the International Gita MahotsavThree days later on November 28 the Prime Minister praised the Anubhav Kendra in Udupi and on November 30 mentioned it again during his Mann Ki Baat programme filling Haryana with pride and honourOn the request of Chief Minister Saini the House unanimously passed the resolutionThe unanimous passage of this proposal reflects Haryanas enduring commitment to preserving its spiritual and cultural heritage while inspiring future generations with the timeless teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/haryana-assembly-adopts-resolution-to-commemorate-martyrdom-year-of-guru-tegh-bahadur-654411.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-rejects-plea-against-land-acquisition-near-takiya-masjid-in-ujjain-654443.html New Delhi Dec 18 The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the Madhya Pradesh High Courts decision upholding the acquisition of land near the Takiya Masjid in Ujjain for the Mahakal Lok PhaseII project A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed the special leave petition SLP filed by Mohammed Taiyab saying that it was not inclined to interfere with the impugned judgment and order passed by the High CourtThe Special Leave Petition is accordingly dismissed the Justice Nathled bench saidThe SLP arose from the January 11 2025 judgment of the Madhya Pradesh High Court which dismissed a batch of writ petitions challenging land acquisition awards relating to the expansion of parking facilities for devotees visiting the Mahakaleshwar Temple and the Mahakal Lok complexIn its detailed order the Madhya Pradesh High Court said that the acquisition was initiated after the Mahakaleshwar Mandir Prabandhan Committee requested the state government to acquire land near Triveni Sangrahalaya to facilitate parkingThe District CollectorcumLand Acquisition Officer Raushan Kumar Singh invoked the urgency clause under Section 40 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 to acquire more than 213 hectares of landRejecting the appellants plea a bench of Justices Vivek Rusia and Sanjeev S Kalgaonkar noted that the petitioners had an efficacious statutory remedyAdmittedly the appellantswrit petitioners have a remedy to seek a reference under Section 64 of the Act 2013 it said adding that the competent authority under Section 64 was empowered to examine objections relating not only to compensation but also to rehabilitation and resettlementThe Madhya Pradesh High Court also said that the petitioners had not challenged the acquisition notifications invoking urgencyThe appellants straightaway challenged the final award passed after the issuance of the notifications from time to time under the Act of 2013 the Justice Rusialed bench saidIt also noted that out of nearly 250 affected families more than 230 had accepted compensation and vacated the land leaving only a small number of occupants resisting the projectBefore the Supreme Court senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi appearing for the petitioner said that the acquisition was vitiated due to the absence of a mandatory social impact assessmentHowever the apex court was not persuaded and upheld the Madhya Pradesh High Courts view that alternative statutory remedies were available against the land acquisition award IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-rejects-plea-against-land-acquisition-near-takiya-masjid-in-ujjain-654443.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 22:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-hc-ends-fee-exemption-for-waqf-boards-puts-them-on-par-with-other-religious-trusts-654240.html Ahmedabad Dec 17 The Gujarat High Court has ruled that Waqf institutions will now be treated on par with other religious trusts in legal proceedings directing Waqf Boards to pay prescribed court fees in propertyrelated disputes just as Hindu and other religious trusts are required to do The court observed that no plaintiff is above due process of law and that uniform legal standards must apply to all religious institutions In its order the High Court clarified that the fee exemption earlier enjoyed by Waqf Boardsâowing to ambiguities in the old Waqf lawâwill no longer be available The directive will apply uniformly across the board from administrators of small shrines to operators of large mosques The ruling is expected to have a significant impact on the management of Waqf properties and the conduct of related litigation reinforcing the principle of equality in judicial procedures Across India Waqf properties are managed by statelevel Waqf BoardsCollectively they control around 94 lakh acres of land and nearly 87 lakh properties with an estimated value of Rs 12 lakh croreâmaking the Waqf Board among the countryâs largest landholders A substantial number of these properties are embroiled in legal disputes often due to administrative lapses a context in which the High Courtâs ruling is likely to have farreaching consequences Waqf derived from the Arabic word waquf meaning âto holdâ or âpreserveâ refers to the Islamic practice of donating property for religious or charitable purposes Such endowments may include money land buildings or other assets Once dedicated Waqf propertyâoften described as âproperty of Allahââcannot be sold or diverted for nonreligious usesThe donor is known as a Waqif The Waqf tradition in India dates back to the advent of Islam with roots traced to the Delhi Sultanate in the 12th century PostIndependence the first Waqf Act was enacted in 1954 followed by significant amendments in 1995 and later in 2013 In August 2024 the Union government introduced a fresh Waqf Bill in the Lok Sabha triggering nationwide opposition The draft was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee JPC which approved it with 14 amendments in January 2025 The JPC report was tabled in Parliament in February 2025 after which the Cabinet cleared the amended bill The legislation is now set to be introduced for debate and voting in Parliament IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-hc-ends-fee-exemption-for-waqf-boards-puts-them-on-par-with-other-religious-trusts-654240.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ram-janmabhoomi-movement-stalwart-ram-vilas-vedanti-passes-away-cm-yogi-condoles-his-demise-653604.html Lucknow Dec 15 Dr Ram Vilas Das Vedanti a prominent figure of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and former Member of Parliament from Ayodhya passed away while undergoing treatment in Rewa Madhya Pradesh Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep grief over the demise of Dr Vedanti who was also a member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra TrustâThe passing away of Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti Ji Maharaj a prominent pillar of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement former Member of Parliament and revered saint of the Vashishtha Ashram in Shri Ayodhya Dham is an irreparable loss to the spiritual world and Sanatan culture Humble tributes to himâ CM Yogi said in a post on X on MondayHe further added âHis passing marks the end of an era His life of sacrifice dedicated to the service of religion society and the nation will continue to inspire generations I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant a place at His feet to the departed soul and give strength to his disciples and followers to bear this immense griefâDr Vedanti was regarded as one of the leading voices of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement During his tenure as the MP from Ayodhya he consistently advocated the construction of the Ram Temple raising the issue both in Parliament and through public mobilisationIn recent times he had also demanded that streets in Ayodhya bearing Muslim names be renamed by the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh governmentA few months ago speaking to IANS Dr Vedanti had praised Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs 11year tenure and expressed confidence in his continued leadership âWe believe Prime Minister Modi will continue to serve the nation for another 11 yearsâ he had said while sharing his vision for the futureDr Ram Vilas Das Vedantiâs demise has been widely mourned by religious leaders political figures and followers who remember him for his lifelong commitment to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and public life IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ram-janmabhoomi-movement-stalwart-ram-vilas-vedanti-passes-away-cm-yogi-condoles-his-demise-653604.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ktaka-dubai-based-youth-arrested-for-posting-communal-content--653641.html Mangaluru Dec 15 Karnataka Police on Monday arrested a Dubaibased youth from the Mangaluru region for allegedly spreading posts on social media to incite communal sentiments in communally sensitive Mangaluru while staying abroad The arrested accused has been identified as 27yearold Abdul Khader Nehad a native of Panemangalore in Bantwal taluk of Mangaluru districtHe was reportedly operating from Saudi Arabia and posting derogatory and provocative content targeting people of other religions on social media platforms including Instagram with the intention of inciting communal sentimentsAccording to the police Abdul Khader was posting incisive messages on his Instagram account sdpi2025He allegedly uploaded derogatory and objectionable posts targeting certain religions with the intention of provoking communal violenceFollowing this the Bajpe police registered a suo motu case and took up the investigationThe police tracked the Instagram account to Dubai and identified the accused A lookout notice was issued and his movements were monitored Airport authorities were alerted and arrangements were made to take him into custody upon arrivalThe police received information that the accused was arriving at Calicut International Airport in Kerala He was taken into custody after landing at the airportFurther investigation is underway More details regarding the case are awaitedKarnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara recently stated that law and order in the coastal region is stable and improving attributing it to strict enforcement and new forces like the AntiCommunal Task Force ACTF established in response to recent murders in Mangaluru to tackle communal tensions and strengthen securityHe emphasised the governments focus on peace for economic growth planned police recruitment and highlighted declining crime stats while also addressing issues like drug trafficking with new initiativesThe Karnataka government had announced the anticommunal task force to tackle the situation in the coastal region especially in the Mangaluru district The new force comprises a full complement of SPs DySPs inspectors and other officers drawn from various parts of the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ktaka-dubai-based-youth-arrested-for-posting-communal-content--653641.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/china-escalates-suppression-of-independent-religious-networks-report-653354.html Colombo Dec 13 Chinas tightening control over religious expression appears to be intensifying with the recent arrest of church leaders marking a further escalation in its longrunning campaign to place all expressions of faith under the authority of the state a report said on Saturday The Chinese Communist Partys CCP campaign against unregistered Christian communities escalated sharply in November with the formal arrest of 18 leaders from one of the countrys most influential underground churches Rights group ChinaAid announced that the detentions â part of a sprawling multicity clampdown â signal an increasingly aggressive posture toward independent religious activity deepening concerns about the shrinking space for faith outside statesanctioned channels a report in Sri Lankan media outlet Ceylon Wire News detailedThe arrests which follow weeks of nationwide raids targetting members of the Beijing Zion Church underscore the Chinese regimes growing intolerance for religious networks operating beyond the control of the states ideological apparatus For many observers the developments reflect not only a hardening of the CCPs longstanding suspicion of unregulated religion but also its willingness to deploy criminal charges to dismantle organisational structures it views as politically threatening it addedAccording to the report on October 9 police in Beihai a coastal city in southern China carried out a coordinated operation against members of the Beijing Zion Church a prominent housechurch movement founded in 2007In the days that followed nearly 30 pastors ministers and congregants were arrested by Chinese authorities across several regions â including Beijing Shanghai Zhejiang Shandong Guangdong Guangxi and Hainan â underscoring the scale and planning behind the campaignCiting the rights group ChinaAid the report said that 18 individuals who remain detained were formally arrested on November 18 following weeks of being held incommunicadoIt highlighted that the US State Department and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom quickly condemned the arrests and called on Beijing to release those detained and halt its crackdown on unregistered Christian groupsHowever the report noted that public discussion inside China remains tightly restricted with heavily censored and monitored social media platforms removing posts related to the arrests while state media has remained silentFor Chinas underground churches the sweeping crackdown on Zion Church represents a stark reminder of the CCPs determination to dismantle religious networks it cannot control The arrests of 18 leaders â not merely congregants âsignal a hardening approach an effort to eliminate the organisational backbone of one of Chinas most influential unregistered churches it stressed IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/china-escalates-suppression-of-independent-religious-networks-report-653354.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 01:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/memorial-will-immortalise-sacrifice-of-ram-temple-kar-sevaks-bjp-mp-sanjay-jaiswal-653438.html Bettiah Bihar Dec 14 BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal on Sunday welcomed a decision to set up a memorial in Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh as a tribute to hundreds of Kar Sevaks who sacrificed their lives for the construction of the Ram Temple âI thank the Ram Temple Trust for the decision to allot space for the memorial close to the Ayodhya Temple This will immortalise Indian culture faith and the tradition of sacrificeâ Jaiswal told IANSJaiswal described the proposed memorial as a symbol of respect for religious faith and gratitude towards national historyâThe country will never forget the sacrifices of all those Ram devotees including the Kothari brothers who gave their all to protect faith and valuesâ said the BJP MP from Paschim ChamparanBrothers Ram Kothari and Sharad Kothari residents of Kolkata made the supreme sacrifice during the 1990 Ram Janmabhoomi movement dying as martyrs after leading kar sevaks to hoist a saffron flag atop the disputed Babri Masjid structure on October 30 1990 They were later shot by police on November 2 1990The MP said that Ram Mandir Trustâs decision to build the memorial is a true tribute to all the devotees of Lord Ram who fought for centuriesâIt will be a tribute to the sacrifice by thousands and millions of Indians who laid down their lives for the Ram Temple movement over the past five and a half centuries It will permanently preserve their sacrifice in the memorialâ he saidHe said that a grand temple will be built at the spot where Ram Lalla was seated before the idol was moved to a permanent placeJaiswalâs tribute to the Kothari brothers has revived memories of the two Ram devotees who walked about 200 kilometres after their train was stopped reaching Ayodhya on October 30 1990 to participate in the Kar Seva They were among the first to storm the disputed site hoisting a saffron flag on the Babri Masjid structure amidst police crackdownsThe two brothers were taking part in Ramdhuni Kirtan in Ayodhya on November 2 1990 when killed in police firing alongside many other devoteesTheir statues have been installed in Lucknow and Jodhpur and roads in Ayodhya Dhanbad and Bikaner have been named in their honour Shahid Marg Ram Sharad MargThe Kothari family was also invited to the Ram Mandirs Bhumi Pujan recognising their pivotal role in the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement Their sister Purnima Kothari continues their mission emphasising their sacrifice as central to the temples constructionJaiswal was speaking at an event in Bettiah after launching a âMade in Indiaâ awareness campaign to encourage for people to take a pledge to use Swadeshi articles to promote Atmanirbhar Bharat IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/memorial-will-immortalise-sacrifice-of-ram-temple-kar-sevaks-bjp-mp-sanjay-jaiswal-653438.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/fairpoint-the-politics-of-selective-secularism-653446.html New Delhi Dec 14 It becomes impossible to ignore when a centuriesold Deepam lighting ritual in Tamil Nadu is projected as a threat to communal harmony while political attempts to resurrect the Babri Masjid narrative in West Bengal are met with studied silence as an uncomfortable truth What is being played out is not a defence of secularism but its selective application The contrasting responses to these two issues expose how secularism in contemporary Indian politics has increasingly become a matter of convenience invoked ignored or weaponised depending on electoral needsThe Deepam lighting controversy at Thiruparankundram is a case in point Lighting lamps during Karthigai Deepam is a cultural practice deeply embedded in Tamil Hindu life observed for centuries and referenced as far back as the Sangam era The ritual symbolises devotion and collective identity and the Thiruparankundram hill has traditionally witnessed the lighting of the Deepam as a beacon of faithWhen the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court permitted the lighting of the lamp on December 3 the political reaction was swift but disproportionate Instead of facilitating the smooth implementation of a judicial order the state machinery appeared hesitant even obstructive Suddenly it became an issue of communal disharmony The opposition expressed concerns and a sitting judge found himself accused of ideological biasMPs from the opposition went so far as to seek impeachment proceedings an extraordinary response to a ruling that merely upheld an established religious practice within the framework of lawThe message was unmistakable a Hindu cultural ritual even one sanctioned by a constitutional institution could be framed as provocative if it fell outside the oppositions ideological comfort zone Faith in this narrative becomes suspect not because of its conduct but because of its identityThis reaction becomes even more revealing when contrasted with developments in West Bengal There attempts to revive the Babri Masjid discourse decades after the dispute was conclusively settled through judicial process have not attracted comparable outrage from the same political voicesA Trinamool Congress legislators actions led to a token suspension but the larger political ecosystem around him remained largely supportiveThe INDIA bloc usually vocal on questions of communal sensitivity and jumped on the Deepam lighting issue chose silence Apparently there was no danger to harmony in reopening a chapter that once deeply polarised the nationThe inconsistency is glaring If lighting a lamp atop a hill is capable of disturbing public order how does resurrecting the Babri narrative escape scrutiny Why does secular sensitivity awaken selectively and only in certain directionsWest Bengal offers a broader illustration of this pattern Over the years Hindu festivals such as Ram Navami processions or Durga immersion ceremonies have frequently been subjected to heightened restrictions heavy policing and administrative caution Other religious gatherings however often proceed unhindered When tensions erupt responsibility is rarely fixed on administrative bias or political appeasement Instead blame is conveniently shifted to provocationWhat unites the Deepam controversy in Tamil Nadu and the Babri rhetoric in Bengal is not religion it is about power in the vote bank For several opposition parties selective secularism has become a familiar political crutch By portraying Hindu cultural expression as something that must be constantly regulated explained or restrained they exhibit an outdated narrative where the majority is expected to prove its restraint repeatedly while minority politics is insulated from comparable scrutiny This approach has less to do with protecting harmony and more to do with preserving and boosting vote banksThe Constitution of India does not endorse such asymmetry Article 25 guarantees all citizens the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess practice and propagate religion subject only to public order morality and health It does not rank faiths nor does it authorise the state to selectively interpret harmony based on political useDr BR Ambedkar the principal architect of the Constitution was unambiguous in his understanding of secularism He had cautioned against the misuse of constitutional principles for partisan endsTrue secularism as Ambedkar envisioned was never about suppressing religious expression but about preventing the state from becoming an instrument of religious favour or discrimination And this is exactly what is happening in West Bengal or Tamil NaduA secular state cannot fear a lamp being lit nor can it keep historical disputes alive on political life support It treats all religions with equal respectThose who are vocal on the Deepam issue and silent on the Bengal Babri mosque need to recognise that cultural practices are not conspiracies and that the majority faith need not be curtailed disproportionately for harmony to prevailVoters today are far more alert to double standards than they once were They can distinguish between neutrality and bias between inclusion and appeasement Attempts to selectively moralise faith no longer go unquestioned instead they have started to invite scepticism and resistanceThe Deepam lighting issue in Tamil Nadu and the Babri Masjid episode in Bengal have exposed the hollow core of much of todays secular rhetoric and the electorate is beginning to see through itDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/fairpoint-the-politics-of-selective-secularism-653446.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/maha-govt-resolves-land-lease-issue-of-approach-road-to-babulnath-temple-653175.html Nagpur Dec 12 The Maharashtra government has put a permanent end to the pending issue of the land on which the steps and approach road leading to the famous Babulnath Temple Girgaon South Mumbai is situated Acting on the direct instructions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis the Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has renewed the lease of the said land in favour of Babulnath Charity Trust for a further period of 30 years at a nominal annual rent of only Re 1 said the release issued by the Revenue Ministers officeMinister Bawankule made a formal announcement in both the houses of the state legislature todayMinister Bawankule stated âThis ancient and jagrut Shiva temple witnesses lakhs of devotees every year particularly during Shravan month and Mahashivratri Keeping in mind the convenience of devotees visiting the temple and the charitable work of the Trust the Government has separated the commercial portion and renewed the lease for the religiouspublic pathway at a token rent of Re1 Necessary Government Orders are being issued immediatelyâAccording to the release the temple is situated on plot number 435 at MalabarCumballa Hill Revenue DivisionThe total area earlier is 71823 sq metres area used for commercial purpose excluded from renewal 135 sq metres and area used exclusively as approach road and stairs for devotees covered under renewal 58323 sq metresThe deemed renewal is granted retrospectively from 30 April 1992 and the renewed lease will be effective from January 1 2012 for the next 30 years with annual rent fixed at Re 1 onlyMeanwhile industries minister Uday Samant who has been deputed urban development department during the winter session told the state council today that 62 per cent of the total work of the SewriWorli elevated road has been completed The remaining work on this road is planned to be completed by September 30 2026After the completion of this project the travel between Worli and Sewri will be faster It will also help in saving time in the travel from Worli to Atal Setu He was replying to a question by member Milind Narvekar regarding the acceleration of the work of the Sewri link road from WorliMinister Samant said that the work on this road was delayed due to the rehabilitation process of the projectaffected people near Sewri Railway Station as well as the projectaffected people in the Elphinstone areaâAt least 83 families are affected by this road work out of which 3 families have been given financial compensation as per their demand The remaining families affected by this project will be rehabilitated in flats provided by Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority in the same areaâ said Minister Samant IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/maha-govt-resolves-land-lease-issue-of-approach-road-to-babulnath-temple-653175.html Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/nia-files-supplementary-charge-sheet-in-tn-is-radicalisation-case-653205.html New Delhi Dec 12 The National Investigation Agency NIA has filed a supplementary charge sheet against seven individuals and a registered society the Kovai Arabic Educational Association KAEA in connection with the 2023 Tamil Nadu ISIS radicalisation and recruitment case the investigation agency said in a statement The filing adds to the agencyâs ongoing probe into extremist indoctrination linked to the 2022 Coimbatore carbomb blast The charge sheet submitted under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act names seven students of Madras Arabic College Mohammed Hussain Irshath Ahmed Ali Aboo Hanifa Jawahar Sadiq Sheikh Dawood and Raja Mohammed Hussain and Irshath had already been charged in the earlier filing and now face additional sections The society KAEA which managed the college has also been arraigned as a legal entity said the statement The case registered suo motu by NIAâs Chennai branch in August 2023 centres on the radicalisation of vulnerable youth by an ISinspired group operating under the guise of free Arabic language classes Investigators found that extremist sermons were disseminated through online platforms such as Zoom WhatsApp and Telegram alongside regular classroom sessions These lectures delivered live or via recordings by college principal Jameel Basha allegedly promoted radical ideology and incited students toward terrorist activities Earlier the NIA had chargesheeted four individuals including Basha himself after an investigation into the Octoberâ2022 Coimbatore car bomb blast The probe revealed that fourteen of the eighteen accused in the Coimbatore blast were students of Kovai Arabic College underscoring the institutionâs central role in the recruitment network By naming the KAEA society in its supplementary chargesheet the NIA has sought to hold accountable not only individuals but also the organisational framework that facilitated radicalisation The move reflects the agencyâs broader strategy of dismantling support structures that enable extremist groups to operate under educational or cultural cover The latest filing strengthens the prosecutionâs case against those accused of spreading IS propaganda and attempting to draw young people into violent extremism It also highlights the agencyâs continued focus on monitoring online platforms and educational institutions that may be exploited for radicalisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/nia-files-supplementary-charge-sheet-in-tn-is-radicalisation-case-653205.html Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jihad-being-deliberately-exploited-imcr-chief-mohammad-adeeb-backs-madanis-remarks-653260.html New Delhi Dec 13 Indian Muslims for Civil Rights IMCR Chairman and former MP Mohammad Adeeb on Saturday said that the concept of jihad is being deliberately exploited by some individuals while drawing parallels with the teachings of the Mahabharata His remarks come against the backdrop of a political firestorm over Jamiat UlamaeHind JUH president Maulana Mahmood Madanis recent statement that the concept of jihad is significant not only for Muslims but for the entire nation adding that it should be included in school education so that children understand its meaning and purposeIn an interview with IANS Adeeb asserted that jihad means to fight injustice and the teachings of Lord Krishna in the Mahabharata are also an example of what jihad meansHe also mentioned the meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board AIMPLB delegation with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and said that the Minister assured action on the issues related to Waqf properties registrationsAdeeb also spoke on the Delhi terror blast case the film Dhurandhar suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir etcThe following are the excerpts from the interviewIANS What do you think about Jamiat UlamaeHind chief Maulana Mahmood Madanis highlycriticised jihad remarksMohammad Adeeb The problem is that in this country the meaning of jihad has been deliberately exploited Through the media and the government a narrative has been created that jihad means killing and violence Maulana Madani has explained with strong reasoning the true meaning of jihad and countered attempts to malign it Jihad is a pure concept it means raising ones voice against injustice and helping the oppressedIn Hinduism what did Krishna tell Arjuna He said Strike them stop them So does that mean its permissible in the Hindu religion to kill ones uncles and cousins We have never said that Krishna had told Arjun to fight against injustice this is jihad The way the concept of jihad was distorted in the country land jihad love jihad is very wrongIANS In the Delhi terror blast case the authorities have arrested several Kashmiri doctors and also taken action against Al Falah University What do you have to say about thisMohammad Adeeb In the view of the recent Delhi terror blast Muslims of the country are being targeted We accept what the government has stated so far that those arrested were the doctors involved in the terror attack If it is a terrorist attack then the perpetrators should be punished most severelyHowever shutting down a university on this basis a university which the government itself established and having the medical council cancel its licence within 24 hours what kind of justice is this Students in their third fourth and fifth years of medical studies have had their lives upended in a single dayMany terror attack cases show that after 15 or even 20 years the Supreme Court or High Courts say that the accused is not guilty but by then 1620 years of that persons life are gone A bomb blast happened people were killed so who was actually responsible This is done by the security agencies to show that their work is doneA terrorist attack is usually planned over a long time it doesnt happen suddenly Authorities should take time and catch the real culprits at the right moment Punish the real criminals with the strictest possible punishment But because of overreaction conviction rates remain very lowIANS The AIMPLB delegation met Union Minister Kiren Rijiju regarding the Waqf property registration issues What was the outcome of the meetingMohammad Adeeb I was also part of that delegation We presented our issues and grievances in detail I am happy that the minister listened to us very carefully treated us with respect and assured us that he would make efforts in this direction There was also a discussion on extending the deadlineThere is a good thing with this government that if you present your views then they do acknowledge your problems We hope that Rijiju who himself is from a minority community will take action in this direction We had raised our voice against the Waqf Amendment Bill however it was eventually passed But there are several problems within the Act and we would want them to changeIANS A film Dhurandhar has been released exposing Pakistans role in the 2611 terror attacks However some are opposing the release of the film What is your take on thisMohammad Adeeb This has become a spectacle of films and you keep asking us Muslim leaders about Pakistan We have never accepted Pakistan so why are we being linked to it You government trade with Pakistan espionage cases related to Pakistan keep coming out people were caught just a few days ago who were they Yet abuses are directed at us We are so opposed to Pakistan that families were divided relatives were separated and all contact was cut off So what connection do we have with PakistanHowever unfortunately today the elections in this country are held on how much one party can harass a single community The politics of hatred is spreading in IndiaNext year Bengal is going to have elections and the preparations have started now One person referring to suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir stood up and said that he would build the Babri Masjid How is Babur related to Indian Muslims Babur came to loot the Indians Why is a mosque being built in his name IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jihad-being-deliberately-exploited-imcr-chief-mohammad-adeeb-backs-madanis-remarks-653260.html Sat, 13 Dec 2025 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/1984-sikh-riots-delhi-cm-hands-over-36-job-letters-to-kin-of-victims-653093.html New Delhi Dec 12 IANS Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday handed over appointment letters to 36 family members of victims of the 1984 antiSikh riots promising that other eligible families will also be offered government jobs soonnbspThis was not merely a job distribution programme but a concrete initiative to honour the long wait and struggle of those families said CM Gupta while talking to reporters at the Delhi SecretariatShe said the previous governments did not come to the aid of these families and by the grace of the Sikh Gurus this noble task is being completed by the BJP government in DelhinbspThe Chief Minister highlighted how the government has relaxed jobrelated norms on education qualification and age limit to bring relief to the families of victims of antiSikh riotsnbspIn a message on social media Today appointment letters for MTS positions were handed over to the family members of 36 families affected by the 1984 Sikh riots at the Delhi SecretariatThe 1984 Sikh riots represent an extremely painful chapter in our history Under the leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri narendramodiji continuous efforts have been made to deliver justice and respect to the affected families she saidnbspThe Chief Minister said Building on that same vision our government is taking firm steps to provide dignified livelihoods and a secure future to the impacted familiesShe said the event organised at the Red Fort on the 350th martyrdom day of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji was an opportunity for us to serve and fulfil our dutiesnbspToday receiving the affection and respect from those families in the spirit of that very service was an extremely emotional moment for me she saidnbspA few months ago appointment letters were given to 19 families and today jobs have been provided to 36 more families proving that the government stands with them and is ensuring every opportunity for them to move forward with dignity she saidnbspThis is not aid it is responsibility This is not formality it is respect And it is a genuine effort to secure the future while remembering the past she said thanking Cabinet colleague Manjinder Singh Sirsa for his efforts to offer relief to the families https://dailyworld.in/religion/1984-sikh-riots-delhi-cm-hands-over-36-job-letters-to-kin-of-victims-653093.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistani-show-highlights-weaponisation-of-blasphemy-accusations-against-religious-minorities-653150.html Islamabad Dec 12 A new primetime drama in Pakistan Case No 9 has dared to tackle the unspoken by highlighting the weaponisation of blasphemy accusations against religious minorities in the country The show has introduced a subplot which features a character named Rohit a Hindu who is the business partner of a powerful businessman named Kamran who has been accused of rapeRohit a report in Bitter Winter an online magazine on religious liberty and human rights states is an individual belonging to the community that comprises just two per cent of Pakistanâs population and are often considered secondclass citizensThe report mentions that in Pakistans television landscape often dominated by melodrama and sanitized morality Case No 9 has emerged as a rare beast with its Episode 11 gripping audiences with its central storyline of Sehers courageous legal battle against her rapist Kamran taking an even bolder turnIt introduces a subplot so politically and socially volatile that it is rarely touched on screen the weaponization of blasphemy accusations against religious minorities in Pakistan At the heart of this subplot is Rohit Kamranâs business partner and a Hindu â a member of a community that makes up two per cent of Pakistanâs population and is often treated as secondclass citizens Rohit is portrayed as a man of integrity someone who knows Kamran is guilty of raping Seher yet protects his partner the Bitter Winter report statedThe reason is revealed in a haunting flashback as years ago as a university student Rohit was falsely accused of blasphemy and Kamran then a fellow student saved him from a mob gathered to kill himIn Pakistan this is not fiction â its history False accusations of blasphemy have led to lynchings imprisonments and entire communities living in fear The law which carries the death penalty for defiling the name of the Prophet Muhammad or Islam has often been misused to settle personal scores or target minorities According to human rights organizations dozens of people have been killed extrajudicially after being accused and hundreds more languish in prison awaiting trial By dramatizing this reality Case No 9 does something extraordinary it puts the viewer inside the moral labyrinth that such a system creates the report detailsPakistan has been widely regarded as a country with a deeply stained record of bigotry repression and systemic mistreatment of its minoritiesIndia has repeatedly highlighted Pakistan institutionalising persecution of Hindu Christian and Ahmadiyya minority communities with impunity in the name of religion something which continues unabatedOn December 2 the US Commission on International Religious Freedom USCIRF urged the Donald Trump Administration to work with Pakistan to amend or repeal its blasphemy law warning that the statute remains a central driver of mob attacks wrongful imprisonment and escalating threats against Christians Ahmadiyya Muslims and other religious minoritiesBeyond the legal penalties attached to blasphemy charges USCIRF highlighted the profound social consequences of a system where allegations are often wielded as weapons It said Pakistani citizens have used blasphemy accusations âto settle interpersonal disputesâ frequently triggering âextrajudicial killings and mob violence disproportionately impacting religious minoritiesâThe commission urged Washington to consider a binding agreement with Islamabad under the International Religious Freedom Act IRFA to encourage specific corrective steps Those measures include releasing individuals imprisoned for blasphemy curbing abuses linked to vigilante groups and ultimately repealing the countryâs blasphemy laws IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistani-show-highlights-weaponisation-of-blasphemy-accusations-against-religious-minorities-653150.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 23:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/census-2027-gets-cabinet-nod-digital-count-to-deploy-30-lakh-personnel-and-include-caste-data-653151.html New Delhi Dec 12 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday approved the proposal to conduct the Census of India 2027 at an estimated cost of Rs 1171824 crore marking the countryâs first fully digital census and one of the largest administrative exercises in the world The census will be carried out in two phasesâthe Houselisting and Housing Census from April to September 2026 followed by the Population Enumeration in February 2027In the Union Territory of Ladakh and snowbound areas of Jammu amp Kashmir Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand the Population Enumeration will be conducted earlier in September 2026 due to weather constraintsLargest digital enumeration exerciseNearly 30 lakh field functionariesâincluding enumerators supervisors master trainers and census officersâwill participate in the operation For the first time data will be collected through mobile applications available on Android and iOS platformsA dedicated Census Management amp Monitoring System CMMS portal has been developed for realtime tracking of fieldwork while a new Houselisting Block HLB Creator webmapping tool will assist charge officers in digitally defining enumeration areasCaste enumeration to be includedIn a significant decision the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs in its meeting on 30 April 2025 approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming census The data will be captured electronically during the Population Enumeration phase marking a major expansion in the scope of demographic data collectionOption for selfenumerationFor the first time citizens will have the option to selfenumerate via a secure online platform The government has assured that the digital exercise will incorporate robust security features to protect personal dataEmployment and capacity buildingThe Census 2027 exercise is expected to generate approximately 102 crore mandays of work with about 18600 technical personnel to be engaged for nearly 550 days across local administrative units The initiative is also expected to enhance digital and data management skills among personnel improving future employment prospectsFaster and better data deliveryThe government aims to release census data faster than in previous cycles supported by improved digital infrastructure A new âCensusasaService CaaSâ platform will provide clean machinereadable datasets to ministries and agencies while advanced visualisation tools will make results more accessible to the public down to the village and ward levelsCensus 2027 will be the 16th national census and the 8th since Independence Conducted under the Census Act 1948 and Census Rules 1990 the decennial exercise remains Indiaâs most comprehensive source of primary demographic social and economic data IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/census-2027-gets-cabinet-nod-digital-count-to-deploy-30-lakh-personnel-and-include-caste-data-653151.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/haryana-cm-accuses-oppn-of-spreading-misinformation-652940.html New Delhi Dec 11 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation and failing to address real issues facing the country He made these remarks while interacting with the media during his visit to DelhiThe Chief Minister criticised the Congress saying that it has no constructive agendaThey dont have a single scheme that isnt mired in corruption and their programs never take shape on the ground Instead of spreading baseless allegations like vote rigging they should present a clear vision for the country and focus on development People do not take their claims seriouslyHighlighting the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi CM Saini said that under the Prime Ministers leadership the poor have progressed and become strongerIf the common people have hope today it is because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi The Congress never did anything for the common man Since Independence Narendra Modi is the leader who has truly cared for the common man he addedThe Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for attending two major events in HaryanaI came to thank the Prime Minister We organised the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadurji and the International Gita Mahotsav The Prime Ministers presence at both events has elevated Haryanas prestige and I have personally conveyed my thanks to him he saidChief Minister Saini said that the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will visit Haryana on December 24He will be the chief guest at the passing outparade of 5000 newlyrecruited Haryana Police personnel he addedLater addressing a musical drama titled Tap Se Tyag Tak organised jointly by the Kashmiri Hindu Cell Haryana and Shri Vishwakarma Skill University at Apparel House in Gurugram on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur CM Saini said the life of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib conveys the timeless message that no matter how great the oppression the power of truth and righteousness always prevails Religion is not merely about worship it is a path to uphold truth freedom and human dignityHe added that Guru Teg Bahadur Sahibs sacrifice is a divine celebration for humanity and India has remained the centre of this spiritual tradition for centuries IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/haryana-cm-accuses-oppn-of-spreading-misinformation-652940.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/its-our-govts-agenda-karnataka-dy-cm-shivakumar-on-tabling-of-hate-speech-regulation-bill-652700.html Belagavi Karnataka Dec 10 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that the tabling of the Hate Speech Regulation Bill in the Assembly is part of our governmentâs agenda to preserve peace and law and order in our state Hate speech cannot be tolerated Shivakumar said in a media interaction hereThe Congress government in Karnataka earlier on Wednesday tabled the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention and Control Bill 2025 in the AssemblyState Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil presented the Bill amid strong opposition from BJP leadersBJP members continued to protest its introduction as Speaker UT Khader put the matter of the bills introduction to a vote saying that they would never agree to the tabling of the Bill Some of them argued that the Bill was completely unnecessary and demanded that the matter be discussed in the houseFollowing the uproar the Speaker adjourned the house brieflyThe Karnataka cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah cleared the bill recently aimed at curbing hate speech and related offences during its meetingThe law seeks to prevent hate speech and hate crimes and reduce their impact on individuals groups and the wider communityLeaders of the BJP have already claimed that the legislation is aimed at leaders associated with Hindutva groups particularly in the communally sensitive coastal beltThe Congressled government proposed the Bill after a series of communal revenge killings in the Mangaluru district of coastal Karnataka drew national attention The government has also set up a special force to contain violence in the region and separate wings are monitoring social media activity that could lead to unrestThe bill proposes imprisonment of up to three years a fine of up to Rs 5000 or both for those found guilty of committing a hate crime It states that such offences will be noncognisable and nonbailable and will be tried before a firstclass magistrateAccording to the draft a person will be considered to have committed a hate crime if they cause harm incite harm or spread hatred against someone based on religion race caste community sex gender sexual orientation place of birth residence language disability or tribe Any act driven by prejudice or intolerance against these identities will fall within the offenceEarlier speaking to reporters Home Minister G Parameshwara clarified that the legislation was not designed to target the Bharatiya Janata Party or its leadersMeanwhile Shivakumar asked about Congress MLC BK Hariprasadâs statement that the Bajrang Dal should be banned over its alleged involvement in the murder of a Congress worker in Chikkamagaluru said I know that our worker has been killed I have not seen BK Hariprasadâs statement I will speak about it once I get the detailsAsked whether corruption among officials was discussed in the CLP meeting he responded âNone of the issues reported in newspapers or TV channels were discussedâResponding to the oppositionâs allegation that the government has mishandled farmersâ issues he said These are political accusations Our government has resolved the problems of farmers We have taken major decisions on the purchase of sugarcane and maize The BJP has failed in this regard IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/its-our-govts-agenda-karnataka-dy-cm-shivakumar-on-tabling-of-hate-speech-regulation-bill-652700.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tirumala-parakamani-theft-case-andhra-hc-orders-legal-action-652644.html Amaravati Dec 10 The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed CID and ACB to take legal action in the Parakamani theft case at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple Tirumala The court allowed Directors General of the Crime Investigation Department CID and AntiCorruption Bureau ACB to register the FIRs to take action as per lawBoth the CID and ACB have been authorised to probe the compromise in the Lok Adalat and the assets of accused C V Ravi Kumar Both agencies were directed to mutually exchange information during the investigationThey were also asked to share the information with the Income Tax and the Enforcement DirectorateThe Special Investigation Team SIT which probed the Parakamani theft case had submitted its report to the court on December 2 Additional Director General CID Ravi Shankar Ayyanar who headed the SIT submitted the report in a sealed coverThe CID had launched the probe after the High Court issued orders on a petition challenging the closure of the Parakamani theft case in the Lok AdalatRavi Kumar an employee of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD was caught while stealing 920 from Parakamani coins and currency notes counting centre in April 2023The theft case registered at the Tirumala police station was transferred to the Lok Adalat where a compromise settlement formula was reached in September 2023 after Ravi Kumar volunteered to donate seven properties worth Rs 40 crore all of them located in Tirupati and Chennai in the name of the TTDA petition was filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court alleging that there was no investigation into the theft case as the thengoverning board of the TTD had closed the case after a compromise in the Lok Adalat Petitioner Macherla Sreenivas sought an investigation into the closure of the caseThe SIT which launched the investigation in October questioned former TTD Chairpersons B Karunakar Reddy and YV Subba Reddy former TTD executive officer Dharma Reddy and several other TTD and police officialsIn a related development the High Court on Wednesday directed CID to submit a report of the postmortem examination of Y Satish Kumar the complainant in the theft caseA former Assistant Vigilance and Security Officer AVSO of the TTD and complainant in the theft case Satish Kumar was found dead under mysterious circumstances on the railway tracks at Komali village near Tadipatri in Anantapur district on November 14 Postmortem revealed that he had been hit on the back of his head with a sharp object IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tirumala-parakamani-theft-case-andhra-hc-orders-legal-action-652644.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-bloc-initiates-impeachment-move-against-madras-hc-judge-over-thiruparankundram-order-652318.html Chennai Dec 9 The INDIA bloc has formally initiated steps to move an impeachment motion against Madras High Court judge G R Swaminathan following his controversial order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp atop a stone pillar at the disputed Thiruparankundram Hill in Tamil Nadu As part of this process a memorandum seeking his removal has been submitted to the Lok Sabha SpeakerThe impeachment move comes amid sharp political reactions and allegations that the judicial order could disturb communal harmonyJudge Swaminathan had earlier directed that the traditional Karthigai Deepam be lit at the hilltop site during the festival a directive that triggered protests and heightened tensions in and around MaduraiFollowing the order access to the hill was restricted by the police citing law and order concerns further escalating the controversyThe matter remains under legal consideration even as political opposition to the judgeâs decision has intensifiedLeaders from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK the Communist Party of India CPI and other parties within the INDIA alliance held multiple rounds of consultations on the implications of the orderThe issue was subsequently raised in the Parliament where opposition MPs accused the judge of judicial overreach in a sensitive matter involving public order and religious sentimentsA senior Tamil Nadu MP confirmed that the INDIA bloc is now preparing to introduce a formal motion in Parliament seeking the judgeâs removal Under constitutional provisions a removal motion against a High Court judge requires the signatures of at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha and 50 members of the Rajya Sabha before it can be admitted for considerationSources said the DMK has already begun coordinating the collection of signatures from the INDIA bloc MPs in the Lok Sabha marking a significant escalation of the standoff between the judiciary and the opposition allianceThe memorandum submitted to the Speaker is seen as the first formal step in what could become a rare and politically charged impeachment process While opposition parties maintain that the move is necessary to uphold constitutional propriety and social harmony voices from the legal fraternity have cautioned against politicising the judiciaryWith the legal case still pending and parliamentary action gathering momentum the controversy is expected to intensify in the days ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-bloc-initiates-impeachment-move-against-madras-hc-judge-over-thiruparankundram-order-652318.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/odisha-law-and-order-breaks-down-in-malkangiri-internet-suspended-heavy-forces-deployed-652069.html Bhubaneswar Dec 8 Internet has been suspended in Malkangiri district as the lawandorder situation in the district particularly in MV26 village deteriorated further on Monday following fresh unrest linked to the recovery of a headless body of a woman from the Poteru river near Dudumetla âThis is to inform the general public that internet services will remain suspended across the entire district from 6 PM this evening for the next 24 hoursâ informed the District Collector on the official X handleThe district administration has also imposed prohibitory orders in the locality under Section 163 of the BNSS Act To restore normalcy the Malkangiri Police conducted a flag march The Superintendent of Police Malkangiri Vinodh Patil H has appealed to all residents to remain calm and refrain from any form of violenceNotably more than 5000 tribal people equipped with traditional weapons reportedly assembled at nearby MV25 village with parts of the gathering turning violent Reports said agitating groups began ransacking adding to the tension already prevailing between MV26 and Rakhalguda villagesThe violence is connected to the murder of Lake Padiami a resident of Rakhalguda village whose headless body was recovered from the river about four days ago The victim had earlier been reported missing at the Korukonda police station With the victimâs head yet to be recovered anger among locals continues to mount The protesting tribals alleged that one Suka Ranjan Mandal of MV26 village reportedly murdered the deceased Padiami over a dispute regarding landed propertyEarlier miscreants also allegedly damaged properties and set fire to haystacks and houses in MV26 village significantly worsening the situation on Sunday The ongoing unrest has raised serious concerns over public safety in the area In response the administration has deployed eight platoons of police along with two platoons of BSF to maintain law and order Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Vinodh Patil accompanied by senior police officials is present at the spot and is closely monitoring the situation Police have intensified patrolling and security arrangements in the sensitive villages while investigations into the murder are continuing Authorities have appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to restore normalcy IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/odisha-law-and-order-breaks-down-in-malkangiri-internet-suspended-heavy-forces-deployed-652069.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/foreign-currencies-including-dollar-and-saudi-riyal-pour-into-donation-boxes-for-kabirs-proposed-babri-masjid-652234.html Kolkata Dec 9 Foreign currencies from multiple countries including US dollars Saudi riyals and Bangladeshi takas have been deposited in the donation boxes set up by suspended Trinamool Congress leader and Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir for the proposed construction of the Babri Masjid in West Bengalâs Murshidabad district Till Monday evening currency notes from several countries including US dollars Saudi Arabian riyals Malaysian ringgits and Bangladeshi takas were found in the donation boxesAssociates close to the TMC rebel leader said that even the team counting the money could not identify every foreign currency that they received By Monday evening a little over Rs 210 crore had been credited to Kabirâs bank accountHis followers also said that Rs 3733 lakh was recovered after counting the money stored in six donation boxesOn Tuesday Kabir stepped back amid the growing criticism over naming the proposed mosque after Babri stating Not every brick or rod will be built with the name of Babur After the mosque is built a gate will be built in the name of BabarHowever there is still no clarity on the planned size or overall scale of the mosquePeople associated with Kabir said that donations have so far been gathered in 12 trunks and bags Around 30 people have already been engaged for the counting work which has continued since Sunday nightSources said that one of the moneycounting machines stopped working midway prompting the team to bring in more machines All foreign currency has been kept aside New donation letters reached Kabirâs residence on Tuesday as wellSupplies such as bricks and sand continue to arrive at the siteLast week Kabir was suspended from the Trinamool Congress after he went ahead with plans to lay the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid styled mosque in Beldanga in Murshidabad district The event was held on Saturday despite objections raised by the Trinamool Congress leadership IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/foreign-currencies-including-dollar-and-saudi-riyal-pour-into-donation-boxes-for-kabirs-proposed-babri-masjid-652234.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jharkhand-hc-raps-govt-over-non-payment-of-pension-gratuity-to-madrasa-teachers-orders-top-officials-to-appear-in-person-652013.html Ranchi Dec 8 The Jharkhand High Court has pulled up the state government for failing to pay pension and gratuity benefits to retired madrasa teachers despite clear judicial directions issued nearly a decade ago Taking a stern view of what it termed a serious lapse the court has summoned two senior officers to appear in person at the next hearingA bench of Justice Ananda Sen while hearing a contempt petition noted that the state had not complied with its earlier order dated June 13 2024The bench directed the Principal Secretary School Education and Literacy Department Rahul Purwar and the Director of Secondary Education and Literacy to be physically present in court at the next hearingThe court further asked the officers to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for âwilful and deliberateâ violation of judicial ordersJustice Sen observed that ignoring court directives amounts to undermining the judicial process itself The matter will be heard again after eight weeksDuring the proceedings the petitioners argued that the state government had issued a resolution in 2014 denying pension and gratuity to madrasa teachers who retired after that year When this resolution was challenged the High Court on October 24 2014 struck down the decision and directed the government to release postretirement benefits to all eligible teachersHowever the petitioners alleged that the government never implemented the ruling So they were compelled to file a contempt petition following which the state submitted an affidavit claiming that the payments had been madeThe petitioners countered this claim stating that no such payments had been received Subsequently Mohammad Aijabul Haque and several other affected teachers again moved the High Court accusing the authorities of misleading the court and delaying justiceTaking cognisance of the conflicting statements the court has asked the summoned officials to submit a clear status report at the next hearing IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jharkhand-hc-raps-govt-over-non-payment-of-pension-gratuity-to-madrasa-teachers-orders-top-officials-to-appear-in-person-652013.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/international-gita-mahotsav-in-canada-brings-bhagavad-gita-to-life-through-musical-dance-ballet-651876.html Ottawa Dec 8 Celebrating International Gita Mahotsav in Canada the Indian High Commission in Ottawa organised âUttar Answerâ a thematic musical dance ballet based on the Bhagavad Gita The event hosted in collaboration with Jeevan Jyoti Performing Arts JJPA was held at Kailash Mital Theatre of Carleton University in OttawaâSet on the battleground at the onset of a devastating war the performance brought to life the timeless dialogue of the Bhagavad Gitaâa profound exchange between the two protagonists on truth duty detachment reconciliation and the deeper philosophical questions of human existence The choreography drew segmentally from these teachings translating verses of the Gita into expressive movement rhythm and emotionâ Indian High Commission in Ottawa posted on XAddressing the gathering the Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh K Patnaik emphasised that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita are not merely spiritual wisdom but a living cultural heritage of Indiaâone that continues to inspire harmony responsibility and resilience in modern lifeIndian missions worldwide have been celebrating the International Gita Mahotsav 2025 highlighting the timeless spiritual and philosophical teachings of the Bhagavad GitaThe Gita Mahostav is celebrated to promote the Bhagavad Gitaâs teachings of duty righteousness and knowledge on the Ekadashi 11th lunar day of the Shukla Paksha bright fortnight in the month of Margashirsha Indian Calendar when Lord Krishna delivered the eternal sermons of Gita to Arjun on the battlefield of KurukshetraEarlier on December 6 the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita came alive as Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan in Canada celebrated the International Gita Mahotsav in TorontoDuring the event Indian Consul in Toronto Kuljeet Singh Arora reflected on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita drawing parallels between its philosophy and the values of diplomacy balance and service The event witnessed live devotional bhajans stage plays and spiritual discourses IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/international-gita-mahotsav-in-canada-brings-bhagavad-gita-to-life-through-musical-dance-ballet-651876.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ahmedabad-to-host-grand-pramukh-varni-amrut-mahotsav-today-hm-amit-shah-to-attend-651798.html Ahmedabad Dec 7 Gujaratâs Ahmedabad is set to witness a major spiritual celebration on Sunday as the âPramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsavâ takes place at the Riverfront Event Centre The event marks the 104th birth anniversary of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and the 75th year since his appointment as President of the BAPS Swaminarayan SansthaThe gathering will be graced by BAPS spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj Union Home Minister Amit Shah Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and several other dignitariesA special cultural assembly will pay tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharajâs lifelong humanitarian service followed by a unique river spectacle featuring thematic floating tableaux on the Sabarmati depicting his life values and global contributionsThe origins of Pramukh Swami Maharajâs leadership trace back to 21 May 1950 when Shastriji Maharaj appointed the 28yearold Shastri Narayanswarupdas as the lifelong President of BAPS at the mandir in Ambli Vali Pol ShahpurFrom that moment he became lovingly known as Pramukh Swami Maharaj eventually emerging as a global spiritual leaderOn that day Pramukh Swami pledged unwavering devotion to his guru and the organisation vowing to serve selflessly and work for the spiritual and material wellbeing of devoteesAmbli Vali Pol itself remains a landmark in BAPS historyâhome to the organisationâs first Ahmedabad mandir 1940 its first Gujarati magazine 1938 the young Pramukh Swamiâs parshad diksha 1939 and several key decisions that shaped BAPSâs global expansionIn the runup to the 75year milestone thousands of devotees have visited Ambli Vali Pol over the past year to commemorate Pramukh Swami Maharajâs appointmentThe main celebration on Sunday from 530 pm to 830 pm will feature multimedia presentations cultural segments and tributes capturing his message of peace service and compassionA highlight of the evening will be the themed floats on the Sabarmati River creating a visual narrative of Pramukh Swami Maharajâs life and philanthropic work Preparations for the mega event have been underway for two monthsMore than 40000 devotees are expected to attend arriving through coordinated bus arrangementsDedicated parking zones and traffic support have been organised along the Riverfront IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ahmedabad-to-host-grand-pramukh-varni-amrut-mahotsav-today-hm-amit-shah-to-attend-651798.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/delta-farmers-urge-tn-govt-to-revise-pongal-gift-pack-items-651743.html Chennai Dec 6 Delta farmers have called on the Tamil Nadu government to revise this years Pongal gift package by including mould jaggery achu vellam and supplying two stems of edible sugarcane instead of one They argue that such a move would both support traditional farm livelihoods and ensure a more culturally authentic festival package for the more than 232 crore ration card holders across the StateEvery year the government distributes a Pongal package containing rice sugar and a single piece of sugarcane Farmers say the continued inclusion of white sugar instead of locally produced jaggery has deprived thousands of small jaggery units of crucial seasonal incomeWith jaggery production being a labourintensive cottage industry they believe procuring directly from local units would boost rural employment and sustain traditional manufacturing practices Farmers are equally concerned about the procurement of sugarcaneThey alleged that although the government allocates Rs 35 per sugarcane piece to contractors middlemen with political backing procure the cane from growers for just Rs 13â15 This wide gap they say results in severe losses for cultivators who have already been grappling with fluctuating input costs labour shortages and unpredictable weatherThe current procurement system pushes farmers into a loss The government must intervene to ensure a fair price said Sambantham a sugarcane grower from Umayalpuram in Thanjavur districtHe appealed to the government to procure sugarcane directly from cultivators this Pongal season and to fix the price at Rs 45 per pieceThis would allow us to earn at least a reasonable profit for our labourâ he said adding that payment should be made directly to farmers bank accounts to prevent malpractices and to ensure transparency Farmers have pointed out that increasing the supply to two canes per family would both meet demand and help thousands of cane growers across Thanjavur Tiruchi Ariyalur Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai where large areas are under sugarcane cultivationThey stressed that the Pongal festival celebrated as a thanksgiving to the Sun and the harvest must also become an opportunity for the State to reinforce its support for the agricultural communityBy sourcing both sugarcane and jaggery locally farmers said the government would not only uplift traditional producers but also preserve Tamil Naduâs agrarian heritage during its most important harvest festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/delta-farmers-urge-tn-govt-to-revise-pongal-gift-pack-items-651743.html Sat, 06 Dec 2025 13:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/systematic-assault-on-hindu-rights-tn-bjp-attacks-dmk-govt-over-thiruparankundram-deepam-blockade-651590.html Chennai Dec 5 In a strongly worded statement Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad has launched a scathing attack on the MK Stalinled DMK government alleging that it is engaged in a âsystematic ideologically driven assault on Hindu religious rightsâ following the controversy surrounding the lighting of the traditional Karthigai Deepam at the Thiruparankundram hilltop The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had twice directed that the centuriesold Deepam ceremony be allowed on the sacred hill above the Thiruparankundram Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy TempleThe BJP alleges that the temple administration and the Hindu Religious amp Charitable Endowments HRampCE Department acting under the state government deliberately refused to comply and instead filed appeals that were rejected by the Division BenchAccording to the statement when the Bench directed CISF protection to ensure enforcement of the order police personnel allegedly blocked the hill route prevented devotees from proceeding and detained Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran as well as senior leader H RajaThe BJP termed this a âwilful obstructionâ of a judicial order and a direct violation of the religious freedoms guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the ConstitutionPrasad accused the state government of using police force to suppress lawful religious practices calling the events at Thiruparankundram a âcriminal misuse of executive powerâHe alleged that the incident fits a broader pattern citing the longrunning dispute over administrative control of the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple earlier restrictions on Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha celebrations and controversies surrounding temple management takeovers in Chennai and other districtsThe statement charged that the state was âweaponising the HRampCE Department as an extraconstitutional authority to curb Hindu rightsâ adding that such actions amounted to institutional discrimination in a state where Hindus form an overwhelming majorityCalling the stateâs stance a âbrazen contempt of courtâ the BJP warned that every act of noncompliance every arrest and every administrative intervention would be documented for âfuture legal and constitutional scrutinyâThe party maintained that despite the blockade the traditional flame of Thiruparankundram âwill be lit againâ insisting that those responsible for denying the ritual would eventually be held accountable before the law and before the electorate in 2026 The statement concluded with a reiteration of the BJPâs commitment to âprotecting religious rights and the spiritual heritage of Tamil Naduâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/systematic-assault-on-hindu-rights-tn-bjp-attacks-dmk-govt-over-thiruparankundram-deepam-blockade-651590.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-ias-officers-petition-puts-new-tdb-chief-jayakumar-in-the-dock-651598.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 5 A petition filed by senior IAS officer Dr B Ashok seeking the disqualification of Travancore Devaswom Board TDB president K Jayakumar has triggered a major legal and administrative crisis for the newly appointed chief The Thiruvananthapuram Principal District Court has admitted the plea and issued notices to Jayakumar and senior government officials to appear on January 15 2026 marking a decisive turn in an already contentious appointmentThe petition argues that Jayakumar who continues to serve as Director of the Institute of Management in Government IMG a government institution draws a government salary and is therefore legally barred from holding the post of TDB president under Section 7iii of the TravancoreCochin Hindu Religious Institutions ActThe provision explicitly prohibits governmentsalaried individuals from serving as members or president of the Devaswom BoardIf upheld the ruling would leave Jayakumar with no option but to resign Dr Ashokâs plea presents evidence that Jayakumar remained a governmentsalaried official at the time of his appointment oathtaking and thereafter thereby making his assumption of office invalidIt also challenges the argument that the Devaswom Board chairmanship can be treated as an additional government assignmentMeanwhile Jayakumar has said he intends to resign from IMG soon stressing that it is an autonomous body and asserting that he is not drawing any salary from the Devaswom BoardThe controversy comes at a time when Jayakumarâs administration at Sabarimala is under strainHis announcement that Sadya would resume immediately after he assumed office on November 14 has not materialisedWith unclean toilets unfinished preparations and visible coordination gaps neither government departments nor Devaswom staff appear aligned with his directivesJayakumar has been a favourite of successive state governments in the state and soon after retiring as Chief Secretary in 2012 he was appointed as the founding Vice Chancellor of the Malayalam UniversityAs legal and administrative pressures converge the courtâs forthcoming decision is set to determine Jayakumarâs future and expose whether statutory norms were sidestepped in his appointment IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-ias-officers-petition-puts-new-tdb-chief-jayakumar-in-the-dock-651598.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/temple-money-belongs-to-deity-not-banks-sc-651693.html New Delhi Dec 5 IANS The Supreme Court on Friday remarked that temple funds belong to the deity and cannot be used to aid struggling cooperative banksnbspThe observation came from a Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi as it dismissed special leave petitions SLPs filed by Keralabased cooperative banks challenging a Kerala High Court direction to immediately return the fixed deposits of the Thirunelly Temple DevaswomRefusing to interfere with the Kerala High Courts orders the CJI Kantled Bench remarked that the money collected from devotees must be saved protected and utilised only for the interests of the temple and cannot become a source of income or survival for any cooperative banknbspYou want to use the temple money to save the bank Temple money first of all belongs to the deity observed the apex court dismissing the cooperative banks SLP against the Kerala High Courts directive to repay matured deposits and shift the funds to nationalised banksBefore the Supreme Court the cooperative banks argued that the Kerala High Courts abrupt twomonth deadline made compliance difficultnbspYou should establish your credibility among the people If you are unable to attract the customers and deposits that is your problem the CJI Kantled Bench said stressing that deposits must be released as soon as they maturenbspThe apex court dismissed the petitions but granted liberty to the banks to move the Kerala High Court seeking an extension of time for repaymentThe SLPs were filed by Mananthawady Cooperative Urban Society Ltd and Thirunelly Service Cooperative Bank Ltd after the Kerala High Court held that temples under the Malabar Devaswom Board cannot keep deposits with cooperative societies in violation of binding circularsnbspIn its detailed judgment the Kerala HC noted that the Malabar Devaswom Boards circulars clearly barred temples from keeping deposits in cooperative banks After reviewing the audit findings it held that the banks had no right whatsoever to deny closure of the depositsIf any of the temples under the control of the Malabar Devaswom Board have deposited funds in any Cooperative Society such deposits shall be withdrawn upon maturity and redeposited in the banks and financial institutions authorised had said a Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar https://dailyworld.in/religion/temple-money-belongs-to-deity-not-banks-sc-651693.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-brazenly-breaches-eu-norms-but-still-enjoys-gsp-trade-status-651400.html New Delhi Dec 3 Pakistan has been one of the largest beneficiaries of the Generalised System of Preferences Plus GSP status granted to its exports by the European Union However the Islamic nationâs poor track record on human rights constitutes a major violation of the eligibility conditions for this status The GSP is a trade mechanism through which the EU offers developing countries preferential access to its markets It serves as a special incentive arrangement promoting sustainable development and good governance aimed at supporting vulnerable developing nations such as PakistanThe generous EU tariff reductions have led to a massive boost in Pakistanâs trade Islamabadâs exports to the EU have increased by more than 4725 per cent since the inception of the GSP status More significantly its textile exports have been the major beneficiary with a rise of 666 per cent since 2013 Among EU nations Germany Spain the Netherlands Italy Poland and Portugal have emerged as leading export destinations for Pakistan according to an article in the European TimesHowever an important tenet of GSP regulation is that the beneficiary countries have to ratify and effectively implement 27 international conventions on human rights labour environmental protection and good governance to receive preferential trade benefitsPakistan has by default ratified all 27 core international conventions but in practice the picture is quite the opposite Antithetical to the covenants ratified the truth is that Pakistan is a model case of widespread and systematic violations of human rights a state highly tolerant of its human rights excesses Thus considering the abysmal track record of the last decade one finds little courage to extend support for the continuation of the GSP status for Pakistan the article points outFrom gender and ethnic discrimination to the use of military courts for civilians Pakistanâs image is marred by a multitude of incidents of human rights violations The 201819 assessment by the EU reported no progress on the legislation on labour rights along with a lack of safer spaces for civil society voices of dissent and the safety of journalists Moreover the sectarian conflicts including violence against Shia community in 2020 2023 and 2024 and systematic persecution of religious minorities through discriminatory laws targeted violence forced conversions mob attacks and the weaponisation of digital platforms of Pakistanâs Hindu Christian Sikh Shia Ahmadi Kalash and other minority communities have already kept the UNHCR on their toes the article statesAccording to a report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate CSOH the cases of violence against religious minorities have increased as recently as between 2024 and the first half of 2025 As of July 2025 UNHCR experts expressed their concern about increasing violence against vulnerable communities where these communities have witnessed relentless attacks killings and unending harassment for months in the context of hostility and advocacy of hatred against them UNHCR also observed that the attacks are taking place with tacit official complicity and warned the state to break the pattern of impunity that allows perpetrators to act without restraint or fear of consequencesThe socioeconomic development front of Pakistan is also in doldrums indicating the systemâs apathy and lack of will to improve citizensâ welfare while breaking the covenants of good governance and labour rights On the citizenâs welfare front the updated estimates from the World Bank reveal that poverty headcount in Pakistan has increased to 447 per cent implying that almost half of its population is living below the poverty line subjected to abject poverty conditionsWhile budgetary allocations for education and healthcare have hit record lows Pakistan has increased its defence budget between 201617 and 202526 by more than 200 times with a current allocation of a massive 255 trillion rupees or 9 billion And these numbers donât include the massive burden of military pensions that burden the government budget allocationsThe textile sector which is championing under the GSP regime is also championing in the field of labour rights violations There are frequent violations of wage regulations and a major fraction of the textile workers possess no written contractsThe EU has already expressed its concern over blasphemy laws enforced disappearances freedom of expression media independence impunity for rights violations due process fair trials civic space and the death penalty situation which need to be addressed to continue the trade privilegesThe article raises the question of whether in the wake of the violation of conventions in every dimension whether it is human rights good governance or labour rights it is justified for the EU to renew Pakistanâs GSP status IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-brazenly-breaches-eu-norms-but-still-enjoys-gsp-trade-status-651400.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/parakamani-theft-case-sit-submits-report-to-andhra-pradesh-hc-651099.html Amaravati Dec 2 The Special Investigation Team SIT which probed the Parakamani theft case at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple Tirumala submitted its report to the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday Additional Director General Crime Investigation Department CID Ravi Shankar Ayyanar who headed the SIT submitted the report in a sealed coverThe High Court will conduct a further hearing in the case on FridayThe CID had launched the probe after the High Court issued orders on a petition challenging the closure of the Parakamani theft case in the Lok AdalatRavi Kumar an employee of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD was caught while stealing 920 from Parakamani coins and currency notes counting centre in April 2023The theft case registered at the Tirumala police station was transferred to the Lok Adalat where a compromise settlement formula was reached in September 2023 after Ravi Kumar volunteered to donate seven properties worth Rs 40 crore all of them located in Tirupati and Chennai in the name of the TTDA petition was filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court alleging that there was no investigation into the theft case as the thengoverning board of the TTD had closed the case after a settlement in the Lok Adalat Petitioner Macherla Sreenivas sought an investigation into the closure of the caseThe SIT which launched the investigation in October questioned former TTD Chairpersons B Karunakar Reddy and YV Subba Reddy former TTD executive officer Dharma Reddy and several other TTD and police officialsFormer TTD Chairman and YSRCP Parliamentary Party leader Y V Subba Reddy appeared before the SIT on November 28Subba Reddy was the TTD Chairman when Ravi Kumar gifted seven properties to the temple after the theft case was settled in the Lok AdalatFormer TTD Chairman and former MLA Karunakar Reddy had appeared before the SIT on November 25 He was the TTD Chairman when the theft case was registered IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/parakamani-theft-case-sit-submits-report-to-andhra-pradesh-hc-651099.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/simi-pfi-among-23-groups-declared-unlawful-associations-in-5-years-centre-651122.html New Delhi Dec 2 In the last five years the government has declared 23 organisations including SIMI and PFI as Unlawful Associations Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai told Lok Sabha on Tuesday He said in a written reply that during the last five years the first organisation to be declared unlawful was the Students Islamic Movement of India SIMIThe latest addition or the 23rd organisation to be declared unlawful is Awami Action Committee AAC he saidRai said the list of unlawful associations includes Popular Front of India PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation RIF Campus Front of India CFI All India Imams Council AIIC National Confederation of Human Rights Organization NCHRO National Womenâs Front Junior Front and Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation KeralaHighlighting achievements of the antiterror National Investigation Agency NIA set up in the wake of the 2611 attack he said that it has now emerged as a globally renowned investigative agency with a conviction rate of 9244 per cent in judgments pronounced in 172 cases out of the total 692 registered cases since its inceptionThe footprint of NIA has been expanded panIndia by establishing 21 branch offices in different parts of the country with two Zonal Offices in Guwahati and Jammu and Headquarters at Delhi he said adding that it has a total of 1901 sanctioned posts at present out of which 769 posts have been sanctioned during the last five yearsExclusive Divisions such as âAnti Human Trafficking Division AHTDâ âAnti Cyber Terrorism Division ACTDâ âFinancial Action Task Force FATF Cellâ âFinancial Analysis Unit FAUâ and a Special Cell comprising of legal experts have also been created in the NIA he saidRai said the Government has designated 52 NIA Special Courts across the country out of which three NIA Special Courts at Ranchi Jammu and Mumbai have been designated as the Special Courts exclusively for the trial of Scheduled Offences investigated by the AgencyHe said that a âNational Terror Data Fusion and Analysis Centre NTDFACâ has also been established in the NIA for enabling Big Data Analytics and facilitating the automation and digitisation of the various investigative processes procedures that will strengthen supervision and enhance efficiency consistency and accountabilityRai said exclusive divisions such as âAnti Human Trafficking Division AHTDâ âAnti Cyber Terrorism Division ACTDâ âFinancial Action Task Force FATF Cellâ âFinancial Analysis Unit FAUâ and a Special Cell comprising legal experts have also been created in the NIAHe said to institutionalise Indiaâs capacity in handling investigations that involve a foreign jurisdiction a dedicated âForeign Investigation Request Unit FIRUâ has been established within NIA in 2024âThe NIA has been made the Nodal Agency at the Central level for investigation of Terror Funding and High Quality âFake Indian Currency Notes FICNâ cases for which a âTerror Funding and Fake Currency TFFC Cellâ has been constituted in the NIA for conducting focused investigationâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/simi-pfi-among-23-groups-declared-unlawful-associations-in-5-years-centre-651122.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ai-powered-surveillance-to-guide-crowd-and-traffic-flow-at-tiruvannamalai-deepam-festival-651131.html Chennai Dec 2 In a first for Tamil Nadu the State police have turned to Artificial Intelligence AI to manage the massive influx of devotees expected for the Karthigai Deepam festival in Tiruvannamalai on December 3 With lakhs of pilgrims set to converge on the temple town authorities say the technologydriven approach will help prevent overcrowding and ensure smoother movement across key locations The police have engaged IT experts who earlier deployed similar systems at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj Their AI solutions have now been integrated with hundreds of CCTV cameras positioned along all arterial roads leading to the Arunachaleswarar Temple the four mada streets the 14km girivalam path and other crowded junctions While last yearâs arrangements relied heavily on manually monitored live CCTV feeds the new AI system will automatically send alerts to the control room when it detects alarming levels of congestion or a potential stampede scenario The system assesses crowd density using internationally accepted benchmarks warning authorities when the density crosses four to five persons per square metre â the level at which movement becomes restricted and safety concerns escalate âWith this AIenabled platform we will know the exact number of people or vehicles present at any location with around 95 per cent accuracyâ said Assistant Superintendent of Police Dhanush Kumar âA density of four people in one square metre is a red flag for us Special response teams have been posted at multiple locations to act immediately upon receiving alertsâ Traffic regulation teams will also receive realtime updates on the flow of vehicles parking availability and movement in and out of the town Cameras have been installed at 35 of the 100 parking locations and at 11 major bus stands To assist devotees the police have set up numerous help booths at prominent places including ten hotline phone booths linked directly to the control room Drone surveillance will also provide continuous aerial monitoring throughout the event InspectorGeneral of Police North Zone Asra Garg DIG Vellore Range G Dharmarajan Tiruvannamalai SP M Sudhakar and senior officers reviewed the overall preparedness and emergency response plans on the ground The âDeepam 2025â mobile application has been updated with details of medical facilities ambulance positions Anna Danam centres and emergency contacts for devotees Officials said the platformâs realtime data features will help devotees navigate the town more efficiently and access assistance whenever required IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ai-powered-surveillance-to-guide-crowd-and-traffic-flow-at-tiruvannamalai-deepam-festival-651131.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/this-is-only-the-beginning-devavrat-and-his-father-reflect-on-rare-vedic-feat-praised-by-pm-modi-651166.html Varanasi Dec 2 At just 19 Vedamurti Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe has done something that last happened two centuries ago Inside the serene premises of the Vallabhram Shaligram Sangved Vidyalaya in Varanasi Devavrat completed the Dandakarma Parayanam a rigorous recitation of 2000 mantras from the Shukla Yajurveda Madhyandina branch over 50 uninterrupted days The feat historically recorded only once before in Nashik 200 years ago has now been revived in the spiritual heart of India And it drew admiration not just from scholars and seers but from the highest office in the countryPrime Minister Narendra Modi in a heartfelt message praised the teenagerâs devotionâWhat 19yearold Vedamurti Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe has done will be remembered by the coming generations Every person passionate about Indian culture is proud of him for completing the Dandakrama Parayanam flawlessly He embodies the finest of our Guru ParamparaâFor Devavrat and his father Mahesh Rekhe this praise from the Prime Minister became an unforgettable moment â one they described to IANS with visible emotionâWe have made every effortâ he said softly hands folded âBut this is only the beginning My aim is to increase interest in the Vedas to continue learning and to grow in knowledge If younger children are inspired that will be the real achievement May they recite even better than I doâ He paused for a moment then added with striking humility âThis is entirely the grace of the Guru I have done nothing myselfâHis father Mahesh said âI never imagined thisâ âTo see my son perform something of this scale with such purityâ and then to hear the Prime Minister speak about him with so much respect â it is overwhelming This is not just our familyâs pride it is a moment for every parent who believes in tradition discipline and learningâMahesh recalled the long hours the discipline and the emotional pressure of the 50day ritual âThere were days when I worried about his healthâ he said âBut every time I felt fear the Guruâs blessings carried him forward And today when the Prime Minister himself acknowledges Devavratâs dedication it feels as though our entire journey has been blessedâPM Modi who also serves as the MP from Kashi expressed deep joy that such a rare spiritual accomplishment unfolded in Varanasi âAs the MP from Kashi I am elated that this extraordinary feat took place in this sacred city My Pranams to his family the saints seers scholars and organisations that supported himâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/this-is-only-the-beginning-devavrat-and-his-father-reflect-on-rare-vedic-feat-praised-by-pm-modi-651166.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/juh-chief-madani-calls-jihad-sacred-for-islam-says-should-be-taught-in-schools-651212.html New Delhi Dec 3 Jamiat UlamaeHind JUH president Maulana Mahmood Madani in an exclusive interview with IANS on Wednesday said the concept of jihad is significant not only for Muslims but for the entire nation adding that it should be included in school education so that children understand its meaning and purpose He said jihad a term traditionally used for a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam or to safeguard the Muslim community has been repeatedly misinterpreted and deliberately linked with violenceMadani alleged that attempts to ignite hostility against Islam and Muslims have intensified claiming that some individuals identifying themselves as followers of Sanatan Dharma and other religions were intentionally distorting the sacred Islamic principle of jihad and equating it with terrorismHis comments came amid controversy surrounding the arrest of the AlFalah University chairman with some of those accused in the Delhi blast linked to the institution The JUH chief has also been under sharp criticism since his recent remarks at a press conference in Bhopal where he warned Whenever injustice occurs there will be jihadThe statement drew strong reactions from political parties and citizens across the countryResponding to questions on the significance of jihad he said that its relevance extends far beyond the Muslim communityPeople of the country should understand what jihad is the different types of jihad under what circumstances it is undertaken when it can be carried out who can perform it and who cannot Secondly the country must recognise that jihad is a sacred religious term in Islam If someone has a problem with Islam they should openly declare that they are an enemy of Islam and do not accept Muslims then they may refer to jihad however they wish he saidMadani further alleged that a few individuals who identify themselves as followers of Sanatan Dharma or other faiths were abusing Islam and attempting to create discordIt is important for me to warn the nation that these people are behaving rudely they want to spread terrorism in the country they are being hostile to the country these are traitors who are fulfilling the agenda of our enemy nations like Pakistan he told IANSHe also criticised political leaders for using the word jihad as a slurWe object and strongly oppose the fact that Union Ministers Chief Ministers and senior leaders of a particular political party use the word jihad while abusing others and look for chances to defame Islam We will keep opposing this strongly he saidMadani reiterated that teaching the concept of jihad in schools would help dispel misconceptionsIt Jihad should definitely be taught This concept exists in all religions and everyone should be taught about it he told IANSExpressing anguish over terrorism carried out in the name of Islam he condemned the Delhi blast in which at least 13 people were killed and many were injured His comments came after a video surfaced of bomber Dr Umar Muhammad defending suicide attacks by calling them martyrdom operationsOne of the very misunderstood concepts is the concept of suicide bombing it is a martyrdom operation as it has been known in Islam There are multiple contradictions and arguments that have been brought against it martyrdom operation Umar had said in the videoMadani emphasised that such incidents were a betrayal of Islamic valuesLaw enforcement agencies are doing their job Whether they are right or wrong will be decided in court They should be allowed to work As far as this incident or the Pahalgam incident is concerned we have strongly condemned both We oppose such acts We believe that if humanity is attacked even if it is done in the name of Islam or Jihad then it is an attack against Islam itself he saidHe said that the true essence of jihad lies in countering violenceAll Indians are pained that innocent people were killed to spread terror We feel that pain just as every citizen does in fact we feel it twice as much because innocents were killed in the attack and on top of that the attack was carried out in the name of Islam We have been fighting against it for the past 30 years and will continue to do this this is true jihad Ending terrorism is true jihad he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/juh-chief-madani-calls-jihad-sacred-for-islam-says-should-be-taught-in-schools-651212.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-gives-sit-one-month-extension-to-probe-sabarimala-gold-plating-case-ed-to-step-in-651227.html Kochi Dec 3 The Kerala High Court on Wednesday granted the Special Investigation Team SIT an additional one month to complete the ongoing probe into the Sabarimala goldplating case The interim order came after the SIT submitted its thirdphase progress report saying the investigation was still incompleteAlongside the extension the High Court also indicated that the Enforcement Directorate ED may be given access to the FIR and related case documentsThe court said the agency is free to file an application before the Magistrates Court seeking the recordsWith this observation the EDs entry into the case appears imminentThe SITs progress report filed before the Travancore Devaswom Bench suggested that more arrests are unavoidable a sign that the probe is entering a decisive phaseThe High Court had earlier raised concerns about possible links to an idolsmuggling network and the EDs intervention is expected to give the case a wider national dimensionThere is already speculation within political circles that central agencies may intensify their scrutiny of individuals linked to the Travancore Devaswom BoardMeanwhile in a significant development the Kollam Vigilance Court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of N Vasu former Devaswom Commissioner and Board President who is an accused in the caseThe SIT has found that in 2019 during his tenure it was on Vasus recommendation that the goldplated kathilappali panels were falsely recorded as copperVasu however argued that the plates were handed over after his retirement and denied making any recommendationHis plea citing age and health issues was dismissed requiring him to remain in judicial custodyWith both the SIT tightening its investigation and the ED preparing to enter the scene the Sabarimala goldplating case is poised for major new turns in the coming weeksSince the probe began by the SIT six weeks ago six people have been arrested including two former TDB presidents three TDB officials two retired and the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-gives-sit-one-month-extension-to-probe-sabarimala-gold-plating-case-ed-to-step-in-651227.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-praises-teenagers-feat-of-reciting-2-000-mantras-vedic-verses-651017.html New Delhi Dec 2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised a teenager who achieved a rare feat of reciting 2000 mantras and Vedic verses in Varanasi Uttar Pradesh In a message on X PM Modi said âWhat 19yearold Vedamurti Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe has done will be remembered by the coming generationsââEvery person passionate about Indian culture is proud of him for completing the Dandakrama Parayanam consisting of 2000 mantras of the Shukla Yajurvedaâs Madhyandini branch in 50 days without any interruption This includes several Vedic verses and sacred words recited flawlessly He embodies the finest of our Guru Paramparaâ he saidâAs the MP from Kashi I am elated that this extraordinary feat took place in this sacred city My Pranams to his family the several saints seers scholars and organisations from all over India that have supported himâ said PM ModiOn Monday the Prime Minister greeted the nation on the sacred day of Gita JayantiIn a message on X PM Modi said âHeartfelt greetings to my family members across the country on the sacred day of âGita Jayantiâ associated with the advent of the Shrimad Bhagavad GitaââThis divine scripture adorned with invaluable messages on the fulfillment of duty has held an extremely distinctive place in Indian family social and spiritual life Its divine verses will continue to inspire every generation towards selfless action Jai Shri Krishnaâ said PM ModiOn Tuesday PM Modi also greeted the BJP National President on his birthday In a message on X he said âBest wishes to Shri JP Nadda Ji on his birthday He is widely respected for his humble and affable personality He is known for his organisational skills and passion towards good governance His role in making the BJP stronger is laudatoryâEqually noteworthy are his efforts to improve Indiaâs health infrastructure as well as our strides in the chemicals and fertilisers sector May God bless him with a long and healthy life he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-praises-teenagers-feat-of-reciting-2-000-mantras-vedic-verses-651017.html Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ayyappa-devotees-protest-denial-of-deeksha-permission-to-hyderabad-cop-650589.html Hyderabad Nov 27 Denial of permission to a SubInspector of Police in Hyderabad to follow certain Ayyappa Deeksha practices while on duty sparked a protest by devotees here on Thursday Protesting against the memo issued to the SI by the South East Zone Police the devotees and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha BJYM staged a protest in front of the office of the Director General of Police DGPTension prevailed in the highsecurity area as the protesters with saffron scarves on their black dresses tried to barge into the premisesPolice personnel swung into action to stop the protesters who were raising slogans against the government and the police The protestors were bundled into police vehicles and were whisked awayA similar protest was held at the office of the South East Zone DCP Holding saffron flags the protestors demanded that the police revoke the denial of permission to the SIA row has erupted after an internal memo issued to the SI denying permission to follow Ayyappa Deeksha practices while on duty became public on WednesdayThe memo citing earlier instructions refused permission to the SI to grow hair and beard wear black civil dress or remain barefoot as part of the ritual during the 40day Ayyappa DeekshaS Krishnakanth who is posted as SI at the Kanchanbagh police station under the Hyderabad commissionerate limits had sought certain exemptions to undertake the Ayyappa DeekshaMany devotees from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh undertake the Deeksha observing strict rules such as eating only restricted vegetarian food and practising celibacyThey appear only in black robes dont shave or wear footwear during the course that culminates with a pilgrimage to Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala in KeralaThe order dated November 20 made it clear that no police personnel can adopt religious attire or practices during duty hours It is advised that those wishing to observe Deeksha should apply for leaveIf any police personnel are desirous to observe Deeskha they can apply for leave to do so reads the memoPolitical leaders and Hindu organisations reacted strongly to the memo calling it discriminatoryThe Telangana BJP strongly condemned the memo The party asked if the Telangana Police Department was now functioning under the diktats of All India MajliseIttehadul Muslimeen AIMIM It demanded that Hyderabad Police immediately revoke the orderTelangana BJP president Ramchander Rao termed the order antiHindu and discriminatory arguing that the government should not interfere with personal religious observances of police personnelIt is outrageous that only a policeman who took Ayyappa Deeksha is being given a memo by police high officials To please the AIMIM leaders the Congress government has been adopting an antiHindu stance from the beginning The entire people of Telangana need to fight against this said Ganesha Kunde state president of BJYMVHP national spokesperson Ravinuthala Shashidhar posted on X condemning the memo as antiHindu asserting that Hindu beliefs and religious sentiments must be respectedThe BJP and VHP leaders also referred to the permission given to Muslim government employees to leave offices early during the fasting month of Ramzan IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ayyappa-devotees-protest-denial-of-deeksha-permission-to-hyderabad-cop-650589.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ex-ttd-chairman-subba-reddy-asks-tdp-to-stop-defaming-tirumala-temple-650614.html Amaravati Nov 27 YSRCP Parliamentary Party leader and former TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy on Thursday condemned what he called Telugu Desam Partys TDP ongoing political campaign against the sacred Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple The former Chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD said that the holy shrine is being intentionally dragged into politics through a sustained misinformation drive targeting the Laddu prasadam even as the SIT investigation is still underwayFalse leaks and fabricated narratives he said are being pushed to damage the temples global reputationAddressing media persons in Delhi on Thursday he reiterated that he has done no wrong and is prepared to face any form of inquiry including a public lie detector test in the presence of the mediaSubba Reddy recalled his service as MP and twoterm TTD Chairman during which he consistently worked to uphold the temples sanctityHis family has been devoted to spiritual service for generations and he himself has taken Ayyappa Deeksha nearly 30 timesYet the former TTD Chairman is being targeted only because of his proximity to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan ReddyHe alleged that TDP and its supporting media are deliberately linking the Laddu issue to him for political gainHe reminded that it was Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu who alleged use of animal fat in Laddus a baseless claim that compelled him to file a writ petition in the Supreme Court to safeguard the temples prestigeHe asked why he would approach the Supreme Court if he had anything to hideSubba Reddy asserted that TDPs allegations lack basic clarityThere is no confirmation whether vegetable fat or animal fat was involved nor whether the tankers in question even entered the Laddu production line With TTDs mandatory lab checks no substandard ghee can enter production he said and claimed tankers were rejected both during TDPs tenure and YSRCP regimeThe tankers now under suspicion came in JuneâJuly 2024 when Chandrababu Naidu was in power and SIT confirmed they were rejected and later rerouted in August again under TDP ruleIf adulteration occurred responsibility lies entirely with the then government he saidSubba Reddy noted that the same lab functioned under both governments but it was strengthened during his leadership with NDDBsupported equipment worth Rs 80 lakhClaims that 20 crore laddus from 2019â24 used adulterated ghee are disgraceful and politically motivated he saidHe clarified that TTDs ghee procurement involves multiple suppliers every six monthsNo single company ever supplies the entire quantityThe company whose tankers were rejected in JuneâJuly 2024 supplied to TTD for the first timeWhile TDP accuses YSRCP of buying ghee at Rs 326kg TDP itself purchased at Rs 276 Rs 279 and Rs 295kg earlier If price implies adulteration TDPs purchases must also be questioned he saidThe YSRCP leader urged SIT to conduct a comprehensive 10year investigation instead of a selective probeHe also said that after alleging adulteration the TDP government purchased ghee at Rs 475kg in September 2024 which by their own logic should also be suspectSubba Reddy reaffirmed that he never sought financial benefit from TTD despite handling tenders worth hundreds of croresHe claimed that when he was Chairman TTD saved nearly Rs 90â100 crore by reviewing inflated tenders for Srinivasa SetuHe said Rs 1200 crore illegally placed by the previous TDP government in YES Bank was immediately shifted to nationalised banks just weeks before YES Bank collapsedVIP culture was curtailed by cancelling L1âL2 break darshansPlastic usage in Tirumala was drastically reducedOrganic and cowbased products were used for all nivedyam and 100 cows from TTDs gosala supplied milk and ghee for the deityMore than 516 goshalas received financial supportHe listed major service initiatives during his term including a 50000 square feet childrens heart hospital that provided free treatment to 3000 children and the Rs 350 crore Sri Padmavati MultiSpecialty Hospital now under progressTTDs firstever White Paper listing 960 temple properties was published along with a board resolution that temple assets must never be soldThe SRIVANI Trust was introduced to eliminate middlemen despite TDP labelling it corrupt the same scheme continues todaySubba Reddy condemned the mishandling of Vaikuntha Ekadashi token distribution by the present government which led to a stampede and six deaths IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ex-ttd-chairman-subba-reddy-asks-tdp-to-stop-defaming-tirumala-temple-650614.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/security-forces-raze-maoists-memorials-in-chhattisgarh-650639.html RaipurBijapur Nov 27 In a major blow to Maoist propaganda machinery Basaguda police station along with security forces on Thursday demolished four Naxalite memorials constructed deep inside the forests of Bijapur district Acting on specific intelligence a joint team of DRG district reserve guard and CRPF central reserve police force personnel carried out the operation in the early hours Three Maoist memorials located in the dense forests of Guttum village and one memorial in the forest of Nendra village were completely razed to the ground police officials said These concrete structures commonly known as âshaheed stambhsâ among Maoist cadres were built by CPI Maoist to commemorate their fallen members spread terror among local villagers and propagate their ideology while maintaining an atmosphere of fear in the regionâThese illegal memorials were being used by Maoists to psychologically dominate villagers and recruit new cadres Their destruction sends a strong message that security forces now fully control these erstwhile Maoist strongholdsâ a senior police officer told reporters after the operationThe action is part of the ongoing intensified antiMaoist campaign in south Bastar where security forces have been systematically targeting Maoist infrastructure including camps arms dumps and propaganda materials Local villagers welcomed the development stating that such memorials forced them to participate in Maoist events under duress Police officials said that similar operations to identify and demolish remaining Maoist memorials and markers across Bijapur district will continue in the coming days The demolition drive is being seen as another significant step in weakening the dwindling Maoist influence in the region coming close on the heels of largescale surrenders and neutralisations in the area Thursdayâs operation concluded peacefully with no exchange of fire reported Security forces have further intensified area domination and search operations in the GangaloorBasaguda region following the successful demolition of these four memorial structures IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/security-forces-raze-maoists-memorials-in-chhattisgarh-650639.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-to-celebrate-geeta-jayanti-statewide-on-december-1-650259.html Bhopal Nov 25 The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has declared that Geeta Jayanti the auspicious day marking the revelation of the Bhagavad Gita will be celebrated with unprecedented grandeur across the state on December 1 Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has directed every district block and village to observe the occasion as a festival of universal wisdom and humanityAnnouncing the decision after the cabinet meeting state Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said the government emphasised that the Bhagavad Gita transcends religious boundariesThe Gita is not the scripture of any one faith it is the eternal guide for entire humanity the minister stated echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modis practice of gifting copies of the sacred text to world leaders during foreign visitsAs part of the weeklong spiritual celebrations approximately three lakh devotees across all 313 development blocks in Madhya Pradeshs 55 districts and 10 divisions will simultaneously recite verses from the 15th chapter Purushottama Yoga of the Shrimad Bhagavad GitaRenowned Acharyas from the Shri Krishna tradition will lead the mass recitation programmes which will be organised at block headquarters temples and public groundsA grand statelevel event is planned in the holy city of Ujjain in which Chief Minister Yadav is expected to participateUjjain home to the revered Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga will host discourses bhajans and cultural performances centred on the Gitas timeless teachingsThe state government is also coordinating with Haryana to ensure strong representation from Madhya Pradesh at the International Gita Mahotsav being held in Kurukshetra from November 24 to December 1 the minister saidDelegations of scholars artists and devotees from the state are likely to showcase Madhya Pradeshs rich Vaishnava heritage and Sanatan traditions at the global festival which attracts participants from over 30 countries every yearSchoolchildren college students and government employees will be encouraged to read and reflect on the Gita during the weekSeveral districts have already announced essay competitions quizzes and Gitapath events in educational institutionsWith this initiative Madhya Pradesh joins a growing list of states promoting the Bhagavad Gita as a universal philosophy of lifeLord Krishnas message of duty righteousness and surrender to the divine is the need of the hour for a peaceful and progressive society the minister saidThe statewide celebration is expected to strengthen cultural pride and spiritual consciousness among millions of citizens IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-to-celebrate-geeta-jayanti-statewide-on-december-1-650259.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/as-sit-proceeds-in-sabarimala-gold-heist-cm-vijayans-silence-raises-questions-650264.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 25 As Keralaâs political temperature rises over the Sabarimala gold heist probe Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans studded silence on the issue has become a major debating point in the state With two of his longtime loyalists â former Travancore Devaswom Board TDB Presidents A Padmakumar and N Vasu â now jailed following arrests by the High Courtappointed Special Investigation Team the Chief Minister has continued his studied nonengagement refusing to face the media or offer any clarificationPadmakumar a former legislator and once a powerful confidant of Vijayan was Board President when the goldplated coverings at the sacred Sabarimala temple were reportedly removed and taken for replating allegedly violating all proceduresN Vasu also a former CPIM leader and twotime Commissioner of the Board faces charges of criminal misconduct and breach of trustBoth leaders were known to be close to Vijayan and had defended him during critical phases of intraparty clashesLeader of Opposition VD Satheesan on Tuesday directly accused Vijayan and CPIM state Secretary MV Govindan of shielding the accusedPadmakumar stood like a rock behind Vijayan during his feud with VS Achuthanandan Some are scared to act because they fear where the probe might lead the Congress leader allegedPolitical observers point out that Vijayanâs refusal to respond even as the investigation enters deeper territory is consistent with his media strategy since 2016Shortly after assuming office he scrapped the weekly cabinet media briefing and has since addressed the press only on occasions of government awards election victories or personal exonerationsUnlike his predecessors he is known to bristle when the media attempts to question him during informal encountersWith the SIT widening its probe and public opinion growing sharper Vijayanâs silence once seen as a strategic restraint is now seen as a political riskAs the gold heist case edges closer to the partyâs inner circle Kerala watches to see whether silence can continue to serve as a shield at a time when local body polls are slated to be held in two weeks IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/as-sit-proceeds-in-sabarimala-gold-heist-cm-vijayans-silence-raises-questions-650264.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/parakamani-theft-case-sit-summons-former-ttd-chairman-650275.html Tirupati Nov 25 The Special Investigation Team SIT probing the Parakamani theft case at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala has issued notice to former TTD Chairman B Karunakar Reddy directing him to appear before it to record his statement Karunakar Reddy was the Chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD when the theft case was registeredDirector General CID Ravi Shankar Ayyanar who is heading the SIT has served the notice which mentions that the Andhra Pradesh High Court has ordered a detailed inquiry into the caseThe notice also mentions that Karunakar Reddy was present during the TTD Board meeting held in connection with the Parakamani issueThe SIT launched the probe after the High Court issued orders on the petition challenging the closure of the Parakamani theft case in the Lok AdalatRavi Kumar an employee of TTD was caught while stealing 920 from Parakamani coins and currency notes counting centre in April 2023The theft case registered at the Tirumala police station was transferred to the Lok Adalat where a compromise settlement formula was reached in September 2023 after Ravi Kumar volunteered to donate seven properties worth Rs 40 crore all of them located in Tirupati and Chennai in the name of the TTDRecently a petition was filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court alleging that there was no investigation into the theft case as the thengoverning board of TTD had closed the case after a settlement in the Lok Adalat Petitioner Macherla Sreenivas had challenged the closure of the caseThe SIT recently questioned former police officers and TTD officials as part of the investigationJaganmohan Reddy who was Circle Inspector CI of Police at Tirumala One Town Police Station when the case was registered in 2023 and other officials appeared before the SITLast month the SIT had visited Parakamani at the famous hill shrine and seized the records pertaining to the case registered at Tirumala One Town Police StationA former Assistant Vigilance and Security Officer AVSO of the TTD and complainant in the theft case Y Satish Kumar was found dead under mysterious circumstances on the railway tracks at Komali village near Tadipatri in Anantapur district on November 14 Postmortem revealed that he had been hit on the back of his head with a sharp objectSatish Kumar had caught Ravi Kumar stealing the money while counting the hundi collectionsThe High Court last week ordered police to provide security to Sreenivas on whose petition the court ordered an investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/parakamani-theft-case-sit-summons-former-ttd-chairman-650275.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ram-mandir-pm-delivers-another-promise-at-a-moment-layered-with-history-and-devotion-650289.html New Delhi Nov 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a promise to the people of India of returning the childhood abode of Lord Ram to its historic glory Around noon on Tuesday that promise was delivered when he unfurled the saffron flag atop the newly built Ram Mandir in AyodhyaIt marked the completion of the temples construction where the Prime Minister had himself laid its foundation stone on August 5 2020Today the city of Ayodhya is witnessing yet another pinnacle of Indias cultural consciousness This moment of the flag hoisting ceremony on the tower of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple is unique and divine said PM Modi hailing Lord Ram and wife Goddess SitaThis religious flag is not just a flag it is the flag of the renaissance of Indian civilisation he also said in his addressHe unfurled the rightangled triangular flag which according to an official statement measures 10 feet in height and 20 feet in length and bears the image of a radiant Sun symbolising the brilliance and valour of Lord RamThis flag is a symbol of Lord Rams radiance valour and his ideals as well as our faith spirituality and cultural heritage he had written in an X post a day before the eventIt was raised atop the 191foot shikhar the highest point or the peak of the temple on a day that coincided with Vivah Panchami celebrating Lord Ram and Goddess Sitas marriageThe event was also attended by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath underscoring its significanceBy hoisting the saffron dhwaj PM Modi positioned himself not just as a political leader but as a custodian of Hindu civilisational aspirationsIt was a moment layered with history politics and symbolism a culmination of centuries of religious contestation decades of political mobilisation and a reassertion of cultural nationalismThe act resonated far beyond Ayodhya shaping Indias identity narrative at home and abroadAs PM Modi asserted If India is to become developed by 2047 If society is to be empowered Then we must awaken the Ram within ourselves adding If the nation has to move forward it will have to take pride in its heritageIncidentally The Ram Mandir movement has been one of the most defining sociopolitical struggles in modern IndiaThe Babri Masjid built in 1528 stood at the site Hindus revered as Lord Rams birthplaceIts demolition in 1992 by kar sevaks triggered communal riots leaving scars on Indias secular fabricFinally the Supreme Courts 2019 verdict awarding the land to Hindus marked a legal closure to the disputeThe long wait for Lord Rams return to the Ayodhya site culminated with the PMs bhoomi pujan in 2020 that symbolised the beginning of temple construction and now the unfurling of the flag represents its consecrationThe temples completion transforms Ayodhya into a pilgrimage hubMillions are expected to visit annually boosting tourism and local economyFor many Hindus the saffron flag represents a resurgence of pride after centuries of perceived subjugationInvestments in Ayodhya reflect regional growth with airports highways hotels and railways being developed to accommodate pilgrims as more and more devotees and tourists are expected to reach here in the coming yearsGlobally the event resonates with the Hindu diaspora reinforcing Indias role as the spiritual homelandThe Ram Mandir becomes not just a local shrine but a global symbol of Hindu identityThe temple thus becomes both a spiritual and economic engine reshaping Ayodhyas destiny IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ram-mandir-pm-delivers-another-promise-at-a-moment-layered-with-history-and-devotion-650289.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/manipur-meitei-body-slams-govt-for-holding-sangai-festival-amid-ethnic-violence-crisis-650306.html Imphal Nov 25 The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity COCOMI an umbrella body of several Meitei civil society organisations on Tuesday once again criticised the state government for organising the Sangai Tourism Festival without first resolving the ongoing ethnic crisis and ensuring the rehabilitation of displaced people Ahead of the 10day Sangai Tourism Festival inaugurated at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal on November 21 various groups of Internally Displaced People IDPs and several Civil Society Organisations CSOs including the COCOMI had called for a ceasework strike and appealed to the public to boycott the festival and hold protests Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the festival in a lowkey manner The COCOMI convenor Information and Public Relations Committee Laikhuram Jayenta in a statement said that the state government went ahead with the inauguration by using force to suppress the protesters and peoples wishes The Meitei community body also terms two MLAs who attended the Sangai Tourism Festival inauguration ceremony on November 21 as âEnemies of the People for attending the inaugural event âPeople across the state had held protests on November 21 the opening day of the festival contending that the current situation in Manipur was not apt for such festivities Several persons reportedly sustained injuries during the agitationâ the statement said On November 21 at least two police officers including a Deputy Superintendent of Police DSP were injured after a clash broke out in Imphal East district over the festival which the government is projecting as an attempt to restore normalcy in the troubletorn state According to a police official the clashes occurred when security forces prevented demonstrators including several displaced persons who were marching towards the venue of the festival He had said that the protestors hurled stones at the forces forcing the security personnel to lob several rounds of tear gas shells On November 24 at least three IDPs and two police personnel were injured when hundreds of IDPs living in relief camps clashed with security forces at Pukhao and near the Dolaithabi Dam in Manipurâs Imphal East district while attempting to return to their native villages A police official said the clashes broke out after men and women from Ekou Dolaithabi and Yengkhuman localities currently staying in relief camps tried to proceed to their original homes but security forces stopped them from moving further The forces resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd resulting in injuries to three IDPs and two policemen A spokesperson for the IDPs said that since the state government is organising the annual Sangai Tourism Festival from November 21 to 30 it is presumed that normalcy has been restored in their areas and therefore they should be allowed to return home instead of continuing in relief camps The Manipur government had appealed to all citizens especially the IDPs and stakeholders to extend full cooperation to ensure the success of the Sangai Festival In an appeal Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel had said the festival is a collective affirmation of the commitment to move forward and that full support and participation would help the state regain momentum He said economic revival tourism promotion youth empowerment and community harmony are essential for getting Manipur back on a sustained growth path According to the Chief Secretary the government recognises the hardships endured by the displaced people and relief and rehabilitation remain the top priority Goel elaborated on the allocation of funds aimed at the welfare of IDPs and the enhancement of livelihood opportunities for the affected population IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/manipur-meitei-body-slams-govt-for-holding-sangai-festival-amid-ethnic-violence-crisis-650306.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vivah-panchami-celebrated-in-nepals-janakpur-650330.html Kathmandu Nov 25 A festive splendour gripped the city of Janakpur home to the Janaki Temple as the traditional reenactment of the wedding ceremony of Lord Ram and Sita Janaki took place on Tuesday A symbolic swayamvar of Lord Ram and Sita was organised at the historic Rangabhoomi ground in Barha Bigha where tens of thousands of pilgrims from both Nepal and India gathered to celebrate the event The occasion known as Vivah Panchami is a Hindu festival that commemorates the union of Ram and Sita of the RamayanaAn estimated 300000â400000 pilgrims thronged Janakpur to witness the traditional wedding ceremony of Lord Ram and Sita in our city Janakpur Deputy Mayor Kishori Shah told IANS Thousands of pilgrims from various districts of Nepal and from the Indian states of Bihar Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra came to Janakpur to celebrate the eventA grand wedding procession featuring traditional tableaux and hymns arrived from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya carrying the idol of Ram while another group of pilgrims departed from the Janaki Temple in Janakpur carrying the idol of SitaBoth groups met at the historic Barha Bigha Rangabhoomi where the ceremonial swayamvar was performed with tens of thousands of devotees attending to witness the procession and the ritualThe wedding is believed to have taken place on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the month of Mangsir Marga Shukla Paksha during the Treta Yug in the Mithila region Janakpur the capital of Madhesh Pradesh in Nepal is believed to be the birthplace of Sita and the capital of ancient MithilaShah said there are plans to perform Ram Kalewa on Wednesday a tradition involving the distribution of various foods â including sweets vegetables grains curd and ghee â to the grooms processionHe added that Vivah Panchami has also been helping promote tourism in Janakpur as it draws tens of thousands of pilgrims to the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vivah-panchami-celebrated-in-nepals-janakpur-650330.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-to-hoist-flag-at-ram-janmabhoomi-temple-today-650136.html New Delhi Nov 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on Tuesday for the flaghoisting ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive at around 930 am and locals say the moment represents the fulfillment of a centuriesold dreamThe specially designed flag for the Ram Temple measuring 22 feet in length and 11 feet in width will mark the completion of the templeâs construction Crafted by a parachute specialist from Ahmedabad Gujarat the flag weighs between two and three kilograms and has been engineered to suit the 161foothigh temple summit and the 42foot flagpoleThe flag will feature the Sun symbol symbolising Lord Ramas Suryavanshi lineage and divine energyAdditionally guests attending the flaghoisting ceremony will not be permitted to carry mobile phones inside the temple premisesChampat Rai General Secretary of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra earlier informed that the flag will be hoisted atop the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat the Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath will be present on the momentous occasionHe further informed that thousands of saints from eastern Uttar Pradesh have been invited to the event and about 7000 people will attend the Dhwaj hoisting ceremonyGopal Rao a special invitee of the Trust explained that a havan fire ritual has been going on in the Yagna Mandap for the past four days for the flaghoisting ceremony on Tuesday Around 100 priests are performing the ritual while 30 people are participating in various rituals at different locationsResidents describe November 25 as a day of profound pride for followers of Sanatan Dharma across the world Many believe that the construction of the Ram Temple marks not just a religious milestone but also a historic achievement for Indiaâs cultural identitySpeaking to IANS local resident Gyanprakash Dubey said that for Sanatan Dharma followers globally the event is âa major momentâ adding âAs long as the Ram Temple stands Prime Minister Modiâs name will remain immortal alongside it The development in Ayodhya is extraordinaryâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-to-hoist-flag-at-ram-janmabhoomi-temple-today-650136.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 07:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-to-attend-martyrdom-anniversary-of-ninth-sikh-guru-in-kurukshetra-today-650138.html New Delhi Nov 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana on Tuesday to participate in a series of significant cultural and spiritual events His visit aims to honour the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur and promote the stateâs rich heritage To spread the message of the Guruâs penance sacrifice and glorious legacy the state government and the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee are commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Jyotisar where the Prime Minister will attend the ceremonyAfter the event PM Modi will visit the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra which will soon be opened to tourists from India and abroad He will also inaugurate Panchjanya on the same premisesIn addition the Prime Minister will take part in the International Gita Mahotsav and participate in the Maha AartiOn November 25 a âsamagamâ will be held here on the Shaheedi diwas with PM Modi attending as the chief guest Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the Haryana state government is continuously working to promote the traditions teachings and sacrifices of the Gurus and other great personalitiesIn this regard the government celebrated the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev with great respect and reverence and now the 350th Shaheedi diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur is also being commemoratedHighlighting various initiatives undertaken by the government he said it is the firm resolve of the state to spread awareness about the Gurusâ sacrifices and their unparalleled contributions to humanity so that future generations may draw guidance from these sacred inspirationsThe Chief Minister also said that Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur the ninth Sikh Guru made a supreme sacrifice for the protection of humanity religion and the nation a legacy that must be shared with every individual so that future generations could draw inspiration from this profound history IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-to-attend-martyrdom-anniversary-of-ninth-sikh-guru-in-kurukshetra-today-650138.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/devotees-priests-excited-ahead-of-flag-hoisting-ceremony-at-shri-ram-janmabhoomi-temple-650166.html Ayodhya Nov 25 Ahead of the flaghoisting ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple devotees and priests expressed deep excitement and emotion on Tuesday describing the day as both historic and profoundly meaningful Speaking to IANS several devotees shared their sense of pride and joyOne devotee said âThis is a wonderful event and a proud moment for our Bharat People have arrived here with great enthusiasm and happiness Earlier it did not feel as though Shri Ram was present here but today being here fills us with immense pride and energy as citizens of India Words cannot express this happinessâAnother devotee added âToday our longstanding aspiration for a Hindu nation feels closer to fulfilment with the inauguration being led by our Prime Minister We are witnessing a moment that will be remembered in history Devotees and workers from Kashi and other regions have already begun their journey to the temple and once they arrive they will take their positions to witness and celebrate this grand occasion at the Ram Janmabhoomi MandirâPriests also shared the emotional significance of the moment Priest Bhola Patwa recalled a prayer from decades earlier âI want to tell everyone that back in 1971 I prayed to Maharaj Guru Maharaj Anant Shri Devrabhavji Maharaj Jogi Sanbaradh and Swamish Devrabhavji Maharaj asking when people would be able to witness the temple the deity and the sacred site of Ram Janmabhoomi Today that vision has become a realityâAnother priest said âToday is a very exciting day now that the Ram Mandir has been built We express our gratitude to Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Modi The temple has been constructed with great dedication bringing about remarkable changes It stands as a magnificent and inspiring structure reflecting the devotion and tireless efforts of everyone involvedâPrime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ayodhya for the ceremony He is expected to arrive around 930 am and locals say the moment symbolises the fulfilment of a centuriesold dreamThe specially designed flag for the temple measuring 22 feet by 11 feet marks the completion of the templeâs construction Crafted by a parachute specialist from Ahmedabad it weighs between two and three kilograms and is engineered to suit the 161foothigh summit and the 42foot flagpole The flag will feature the Sun symbol representing Lord Ramaâs Suryavanshi lineage and divine energyIn addition guests attending the ceremony will not be permitted to carry mobile phones inside the temple premises IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/devotees-priests-excited-ahead-of-flag-hoisting-ceremony-at-shri-ram-janmabhoomi-temple-650166.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ram-temple-dhwaj-symbolises-sacrifice-dedication-champat-rai-650173.html Ayodhya Nov 25 As Ayodhya is set for the muchawaited flaghoisting ceremony at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on Tuesday the temple trust has finalised arrangements for the influx of devotees and the daylong events Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the holy city to attend the ceremony which marks a significant milestone in the completion of the temples constructionA specially crafted flag measuring 22 feet in length and 11 feet in width will be hoisted to commemorate the occasion Designed by a parachute specialist from Ahmedabad the flag weighs between two and three kilograms and has been engineered to withstand the conditions atop the 161foot summit of the temple and the 42foot flagpoleThe flag will carry the Sun symbol representing Lord Ramas Suryavanshi heritage and divine radianceChampat Rai General Secretary of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra confirmed that the flag would be hoisted on the temples summit in the presence of several dignitaries including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat the Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Chief Minister Yogi AdityanathSpeaking to the reporters he said The flag is adorned with an image of the Kovidara tree sun and Om It is saffron in colour symbolising fire the rising sun sacrifice and dedication It is a triangular flag with a height of 10 feet and a length of 20 feet Everyone will get to witness this auspicious occasion through a live telecastShri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri expressed his joy ahead of the event saying We are extremely excited that the day marking the completion of the temple has finally arrived a moment awaited for centuries Over the years our efforts have been steadily moving toward this milestoneWe are expecting the arrival of 6000 people and all the arrangements have been made for them he saidHe also noted that the dhwaj had been worshipped for the past five days to ensure its sanctity adding We have worshipped the dhwaj for the last five days to make sure that it becomes pure and continues to fly high atop the templeWith the final preparations in place Ayodhya is poised to witness an event of historic and spiritual significance as the flag rises above the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ram-temple-dhwaj-symbolises-sacrifice-dedication-champat-rai-650173.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ayodhya-pictures-of-dharma-dhwaja-emerge-ahead-of-grand-flag-hoisting-ceremony-by-pm-modi-650176.html Ayodhya Nov 25 The first images of the sacred flag that will be hoisted atop the Ram Temple emerged on Tuesday ahead of the grand ceremony A especiallycrafted flag measuring 22 feet in length and 11 feet in width will be hoisted to commemorate the occasion Designed by a parachute specialist from Ahmedabad the flag weighs between two and three kilograms and has been engineered to withstand the conditions atop the 161foot summit of the temple and the 42foot flagpole The radiant Sun on the flag is regarded as a symbol of Lord Ramâs brilliance and valour The flag also features the âOmâ symbol and the outline of the Kovidara treeThis sacred flag represents dignity unity and cultural continuity and is seen as a symbol of the ideals of Ramrajya According to the statement the Dharma Dhwaja will be hoisted on the templeâs âShikharâ constructed in the traditional North Indian Nagara architectural style The approximately 800metrelong boundary wall surrounding the temple is designed in South Indian style showcasing the structureâs architectural diversityAhead of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs visit to hoist the sacred flag at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple extensive security arrangements have been put in place at all entry gates of the Ram Mandir Special prasad has also been delivered to the temple for the devotees expected to attend the flaghoisting ceremony inside the premisesApart from this Ram Path in Ayodhya has also been beautifully decorated with flowersHowever guests attending the ceremony will not be permitted to carry mobile phones inside the temple premises for security reasonsDevotees and priests also expressed deep excitement and emotion on Tuesday describing the day as both historic and profoundly meaningfulSpeaking to IANS several devotees shared their sense of pride and joyOne devotee said âThis is a wonderful event and a proud moment for our Bharat People have arrived here with great enthusiasm and happiness Earlier it did not feel as though Shri Ram was present here but today being here fills us with immense pride and energy as citizens of India Words cannot express this happinessâAnother devotee added âToday our longstanding aspiration for a Hindu nation feels closer to fulfilment with the inauguration being led by our Prime Minister We are witnessing a moment that will be remembered in history Devotees and workers from Kashi and other regions have already begun their journey to the temple and once they arrive they will take their positions to witness and celebrate this grand occasion at the Ram Janmabhoomi MandirâPriests also shared the emotional significance of the moment Priest Bhola Patwa recalled a prayer from decades earlier âI want to tell everyone that back in 1971 I prayed to Maharaj Guru Maharaj Anant Shri Devrabhavji Maharaj Jogi Sanbaradh and Swamish Devrabhavji Maharaj asking when people would be able to witness the temple the deity and the sacred site of Ram Janmabhoomi Today that vision has become a realityâAnother priest said âToday is a very exciting day now that the Ram Mandir has been built We express our gratitude to Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Modi The temple has been constructed with great dedication bringing about remarkable changes It stands as a magnificent and inspiring structure reflecting the devotion and tireless efforts of everyone involvedâMeanwhile the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will be inaccessible to the general public until 230 pm today due to the Prime Ministers visit Only invited guests with QRcoded passes will be allowed to enter the premises during this time This restriction is in place to ensure smooth security arrangements for the ceremonyRegular darshan for the public will resume after 230 pm following the flaghoisting ceremony Due to the anticipated large number of visitors the darshan timings may be extended late into the night Devotees travelling from other cities are advised to prepare for longer queues and adjusted temple routesThe day after the event will have an extended darshan window of nearly 1516 hours without any VIP movement This schedule is designed to accommodate travellers arriving after the ceremony IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ayodhya-pictures-of-dharma-dhwaja-emerge-ahead-of-grand-flag-hoisting-ceremony-by-pm-modi-650176.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-hoists-sacred-dhwaj-at-ram-janmabhoomi-temple-650196.html Ayodhya Nov 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday led the Dhwajarohan Utsav at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple by hoisting the speciallydesigned sacred saffron flag atop the temple Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also present during the sacred ritualThe ceremony holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning for devotees across the countryThe flag specially crafted for the Ram Temple measures 22 feet in length and 11 feet in width Designed by a parachute specialist from Ahmedabad Gujarat the flag weighs between 2 and 3 kilograms and has been designed to withstand high altitudes and windsThe flag carries the Sun symbol representing Lord Ramas Suryavanshi heritage and divine radiance The flag is adorned with an image of the Kovidara tree Sun and Om It is saffron in colour symbolising fire the rising sun sacrifice and dedicationThe event marks another milestone in the unfolding cultural renaissance centred around Ayodhya with leaders emphasising that the flag symbolises not only religious devotion but also Indias enduring civilisational ethos It also marks the completion of the temple construction Earlier PM Modi and RSS chief Bhagwat offered prayers at Shri Ram Darbar Garbh Grah and Shri Ram Lalla amidst Vedic manta chantsRam Darbar features a majestic idol of Lord Ram in his royal form flanked by the idols of Sita Lakshman Bharat Shatrughan and Hanuman set in a regal tableau that showcases the grandeur of the divine courtUpon arrival in Ayodhya PM Modi received an enthusiastic welcome Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed him at the Saket College helipad after which the Prime Minister proceeded toward the temple complex leading a vibrant roadshowPM Modi also offered prayers at the Sapt Mandir located within the vast Ram Temple complexThese seven temples honour Maharishi Vashistha Maharishi Vishwamitra Maharishi Agastya Maharishi Valmiki Goddess Ahalya Nishadraj Guha and Mata ShabariThe Sapt Mandirs represent the revered gurus devotees and companions who played pivotal roles in Lord Rams life and their presence in the complex highlights their enduring significancePM Modi then headed to Sheshavtar Mandir and Mata Annapurna Mandir and offered his prayers there IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-hoists-sacred-dhwaj-at-ram-janmabhoomi-temple-650196.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ram-temples-sapt-mandir-a-homage-to-7-guiding-lights-companions-of-lord-ram-650198.html Ayodhya Nov 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday offered prayers at the Sapt Mandir located within the expansive Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex in Ayodhya These seven temples honour Maharishi Vashistha Maharishi Vishwamitra Maharishi Agastya Maharishi Valmiki Goddess Ahalya Nishadraj Guha and Mata ShabariThe Sapt Mandirs represent the revered gurus devotees and companions who played pivotal roles in Lord Rams life and their presence in the complex highlights their enduring significanceMaharishi VashisthaMaharishi Vashistha revered as the royal guru of Lord Ram and believed to be the mindborn son of Lord Brahma was known for his deep wisdom and ascetic strength He taught Lord Ram the Vedas key scriptures and principles of ethics and guided King Dasharatha through crucial decisionsMaharishi VishwamitraMaharishi Vishwamitra originally a Kshatriya who attained the status of Brahmarishi through intense penance instructed Ram and Lakshman in the mastery of weapons divine astras and warfare Under his guidance they defeated numerous demons and he eventually led them to Sitas swayamvara where Ram broke Shivas bow to marry herAgastya MuniDuring the fourteenyear exile Lord Ram met Agastya Muni who provided him with divine weapons essential for the war against Ravan Agastya bestowed upon Ram a powerful bow a quiver filled with arrows a sword and impenetrable armour and also guided him on the path to victory over LankaMaharishi ValmikiThe Ramayanas very existence is intertwined with Maharishi Valmiki who composed the epic in Sanskrit After Ram became king Sita sought shelter in Valmikis ashram where Luv and Kush were born and later trained by him in scriptures the Vedas and weaponryGoddess AhalyaThe tale of Goddess Ahalya is among the most poignant episodes in the Ramayana Cursed by Gautama Rishi to turn into stone after Indra deceitfully violated her chastity Ahalya regained her human form when Rams feet touched the stone during his exile Her story remains a powerful reminder of redemption and divine graceKevat Nishadraj GuhaAnother significant figure Kevat Nishadraj Guha ferried Ram Sita and Lakshman across the Ganga Before doing so he washed Rams feet saying he feared his boat might turn into a woman just as Ahalya had returned to life from stone He refused any payment telling Ram Just as I helped you cross the river Ganga please help me cross the ocean of life Nishadraj went on to become one of Rams closest friendsMata ShabariMata Shabaris devotion stands as a timeless symbol of unconditional love Knowing Ram would visit her hut during his exile she collected sweet berries for him and tasted each one beforehand to ensure he received only the best While Ram accepted the berries with affection Lakshman discarded them believing they were stale Ram however understood Shabaris pure devotion which had guided her life as she awaited his arrivalThrough his visit to the Sapt Mandir Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to these enduring figures whose lives shaped the divine narrative of Lord Ram and whose legacy continues to inspire millions IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ram-temples-sapt-mandir-a-homage-to-7-guiding-lights-companions-of-lord-ram-650198.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sadiyo-ke-ghav-bhar-rahe-hain-pm-modi-at-ram-temple-dhwajarohan-utsav-650201.html Ayodhya Nov 25 After leading the Dhwajarohan Utsav by hoisting the sacred flag atop the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on Tuesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the day marks the end of centuries of pain and struggle PM Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat led the Dhwajarohan Utsav at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple by hoisting the speciallydesigned sacred saffron flag atop the templeAddressing the large gathering from the Ram Janmabhoomi temple premises PM Modi said Today the city of Ayodhya is witnessing another turning point in Indias cultural consciousness Today the entire country the entire world is filled with devotion for Lord RamThe ceremony holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning for devotees across the countryEvery Ram devotees heart is filled with immense satisfaction gratitude and happiness Sadiyo ke ghav bhar rahe hain centuries old wounds are healing today The pain of centuries is coming to an end today and the resolve of centuries is achieving success today Today is the poornahuti final offering of that yagna whose fire burned for 500 years The yagya that never wavered in faith not even for a moment he addedThe flag specially crafted for the Ram Temple measures 22 feet in length and 11 feet in width Designed by a parachute specialist from Ahmedabad Gujarat the flag weighs between 2 and 3 kilograms and has been designed to withstand winds at high altitudesThe flag carries the Sun symbol representing Lord Ramas Suryavanshi heritage and divine radiance The flag is adorned with an image of the Kovidara tree Sun and Om It is saffron in colour symbolising fire the rising Sun sacrifice and dedicationSpeaking about the sacred flag PM Modi said This Dharma Dhwaj is not just a flag it is the symbol of the renaissance of Indian civilisation The flags saffron colour the symbol of the Sun the holy word Om and the Kovidar tree represent the glory of Ramrajya This Dhwaj is a resolution a success a tale of creation from struggle a representation of a dream come true an evidence of saints devotion and social participationThis Dharm Dhwaj will become an inspiration of Pran jaaye par vachan na jaaye We will give our life to keep a promise This will give a message that Karma and Kartavya should be given priority in the world This will also make us resolve to maintain peace and prosperity in society where no one is poor and suffering he addedThe event marks the completion of the temple construction IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sadiyo-ke-ghav-bhar-rahe-hain-pm-modi-at-ram-temple-dhwajarohan-utsav-650201.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/in-ayodhya-ideals-transform-into-conduct-person-into-maryada-purushottam-pm-modi-650209.html Ayodhya Nov 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Ayodhya is a land where ideals transform into conduct and teaches how a person becomes Maryada Purushottam Ayodhya is the sacred land where ideals transform into conduct It is the very city from where Lord Shri Ram began the journey of His life Ayodhya showed the world how a person through the strength of society and the values instilled within becomes Maryada Purushottam PM Modi said addressing the devotees gathered at the Ram Temple premisesWhen Shri Ram left Ayodhya he was a Prince Ram but when he returned he came back as Maryada Purushottam In the journey of Lord Ram becoming Maryada Purushottam there was a major role played by Maharishi Vashisthas knowledge Maharishi Vishwamitras teaching Maharishi Agastyas mentorship Goddess Ahalya Nishadraj Guhas friendship and Mata Shabaris affection all these and countless others had a key role he saidTo build a Viksit Bharat we need this very collective strength of society I am very happy that the divine premises of the Ram Temple are becoming a centre of awakening for Indias collective capability he addedSpeaking about the Sapt Mandir PM Modi said Here Sapt Mandir has been built Mata Shabaris Temple here represents the affection and traditions of the tribal community The Nishadraj Temple here is a symbol of deep friendship Additionally Maharishi Vashistha Maharishi Vishwamitra and Maharishi Agastyas temples are also hereI urge people that whenever they come to Ayodhya they should visit Sapt Mandir also These temples along with our faith also strengthen the values ââof friendship duty and social harmony he addedReiterating his resolve to build Viksit Bharat PM Modi said In the last eleven years women Dalits backward classes extremely backward classes tribal communities the deprived farmers labourers youth every section of society has been placed at the centre of development And with collective effort by 2047 when the nation marks 100 years of independence we must build a Viksit Bharat IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/in-ayodhya-ideals-transform-into-conduct-person-into-maryada-purushottam-pm-modi-650209.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/include-dalits-as-shankaracharyas-then-well-end-reservation-pappu-yadav-on-rambhadracharyas-scst-act-remark-650210.html New Delhi Nov 25 A political storm erupted on Tuesday after Jagadguru Rambhadracharya called for the repeal of the SCST Prevention of Atrocities Act drawing sharp and contrasting reactions from leaders across the political spectrum with Purnia MP Pappu Yadav saying let all Shankaracharyas include Dalits among them and we will immediately end reservation Speaking to IANS Yadav said âI would request the Shankaracharya let all Shankaracharyas include Dalits SC and STs among them and we will immediately end reservationâJagadguru Rambhadracharya had earlier stated âThe SCST Act should be repealed The Vedas do not mention Avarnas or Savarnas these political leaders have initiated this systemâ I would say that there should be no reservation based on casteâHis remarks reignited the debate over affirmative action and legal protections for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled TribesResponding sharply Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit challenged the feasibility of Rambhadracharyaâs demandHe said âWin a twothirds majority come to Parliament form the government and change the laws Or do you think PM Modi will listen to you just because you are part of his group then you can ask your ministers to remove the reservationâDikshitâs response underscores the political sensitivities surrounding reservation policies and the legal structures that protect marginalized communitiesIn contrast Minister Lakhendra Kumar Raushan backed Rambhadracharyaâs position âI support the remarks made by Rambhadracharya For a long time the caste system and the division of society on the basis of varna has played a major role in weakening this countryâ he said aligning himself with the call to revisit existing castebased frameworksThe SCST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 is a central law aimed at preventing atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes establishing Special Courts ensuring stricter punishments and safeguarding victims rights Any suggestion of its repeal has historically drawn strong reactions from both community representatives and political leadershipRambhadracharyaâs remark that âthere should be no reservation based on casteâ has now amplified discussions at a time when caste census debates social justice policies and electoral strategies dominate political conversations in multiple states and many parts of the country still witness atrocities against Dalits IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/include-dalits-as-shankaracharyas-then-well-end-reservation-pappu-yadav-on-rambhadracharyas-scst-act-remark-650210.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/country-functions-according-to-constitution-not-vedas-congress-slams-rambhadracharya-for-scst-remark-650223.html New Delhi Nov 25 IANS As Jagadguru Rambhadracharya on Tuesday stirred controversy by stating that the SCST Act should be repealed because the Vedas do not mention Avarnas or Savarnas the Congress hit back asserting that the country is governed by the Constitution not by religious scripturesnbspSpeaking to IANS Congress MP Tariq Anwar said Our country functions according to our Constitution it does not operate based on the Vedas the Quran or the Bible They need to understand thisnbspCongress UP President Ajay Rai added Everyone in this country has equal rightswhether SCST forward or backward Dalit Adivasi Hindu or Muslim Everyone deserves respect and the right to live with equalityCongress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal said We dont need to go far back into Vedic times What we need to acknowledge is whether for centuries SCs and STs were not oppressed Freedom was meant for everyone not just a select few Yet even after 70 years much inequality and deprivation remainnbspHe further noted that the situation for these communities is still extremely difficultnbspWe must continue with reservations until they are equally empowered Social justice is essential Whatever he has said ignores their rights But anyone in the administration will not support such a stance the former Union Minister told IANSEarlier in the day speaking to IANS Rambhadracharya said The SCST Act should be repealed The Vedas do not mention Avarnas or Savarnas these political leaders have initiated this system I would say that there should be no reservation based on castenbspThe Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 was enacted to prevent atrocities against members of these communities It provides for special courts to try such offences outlines punishments and includes provisions for the relief and rehabilitation of victimsnbspThe Act also mandates public servants to perform their duties concerning SCST communities https://dailyworld.in/religion/country-functions-according-to-constitution-not-vedas-congress-slams-rambhadracharya-for-scst-remark-650223.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/martyrdom-day-eve-president-murmu-pays-tribute-to-guru-tegh-bahadur-calls-for-unity-650026.html New Delhi Nov 23 On the eve of âMartyrdom Dayâ of Guru Teg Bahadur President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday called upon people to adopt his values and strengthen unity In a message she said âI pay my humble tribute to Guru Teg Bahadur Ji on the occasion of his 350th martyrdom dayâShe said Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed his life to preserve the ideals of righteousness humanity and truthâHis valour sacrifice and selfless service are a source of inspiration for everyone His teachings inspire us to move forward on the path of justice with determination and courageâ she said adding âLet us adopt his values in our lives and work to strengthen harmony and unity in our countryâOn Saturday Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced November 25 as a public holiday to commemorate the sacred occasion of the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh BahadurâMay Guru Sahibâs timeless message of courage compassion and freedom of faith continue to guide and inspire us in our collective journey aheadâ she said in a message on XOn Sunday a threeday Gurmat Samagam started near the Red Fort to mark the 350th Martyrdom DayThe Chief Minister said that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur is being observed across the country with deep devotion reverence and enthusiasmIn Delhi too a grand threeday commemoration has been planned at the Red Fort on November 23 24 and 25She added that this historic monument stands as a witness to Guru Tegh Bahadurs supreme sacrifice and extended an invitation to people from across Delhi and the nation to participate in the eventSharing details of the programme the Chief Minister said that the threeday event will feature several significant activitiesThese will include a grand museum showcasing important historical accounts and evidence related to the life and martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur A special lightandsound show will be presented on the ramparts of the Red Fort and seven Sangat groups will perform Satsang and Kirtan CM Gupta addedInviting the people of Delhi to join this historic occasion the Chief Minister said that such an event is witnessed only once in many centuries and urged everyone to come together to pay homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur and seek his blessings IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/martyrdom-day-eve-president-murmu-pays-tribute-to-guru-tegh-bahadur-calls-for-unity-650026.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ukhand-reschedules-public-holiday-for-guru-tegh-bahadur-martyrdom-day-to-nov-25--650036.html Dehradun Nov 23 The Uttarakhand government has revised the date of the public holiday for Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day for 2025 shifting it from November 24 to November 25 The change has been notified through an official order issued by the states General Administration Department The earlier notification had listed November 24 Monday as a public holiday for Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day The new order partially amends that notification According to the government the holiday will now be observed on November 25 Tuesday instead of the previously declared November 24 The revised date will apply to state government offices nongovernment offices and educational institutions across Uttarakhand The notification clarifies that the revised public holiday will not apply to the Uttarakhand Secretariat the State Assembly and those government offices where a fiveday work week is in force Such establishments will continue to follow their existing schedule as per norms The order states that the revised notification should be considered applicable strictly to the extent of the date change with all other conditions remaining unaltered No modifications have been made to any other holidays or clauses mentioned in the earlier 2024 notification State officials said the decision was taken to ensure that the observance of Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day aligns with the accurate calendar date for 2025 The Sikh community traditionally marks the day to commemorate the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru who is remembered for his defence of religious freedom and his sacrifice under the Mughal regime The revised order has been digitally signed by Vinod Kumar Suman Secretary Uttarakhand Copies of the amended notification have been circulated to all relevant administrative departments district authorities and senior officials for compliance Public institutions and offices covered under the notification have been instructed to implement the revised date and update their holiday schedules accordingly The General Administration Department has also directed concerned departments to ensure that the revised information is communicated effectively so that employees and institutions are aware of the correct holiday date With the updated order November 25 will now be observed as the official public holiday for Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day across the state replacing the earlier notified date IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ukhand-reschedules-public-holiday-for-guru-tegh-bahadur-martyrdom-day-to-nov-25--650036.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-radhakrishnan-to-attend-centenary-of-sri-sathya-sai-baba-in-andhra-today-649949.html New Delhi Nov 23 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan will attend the centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and address trainee civil servants on Sunday during his twoday visit to Andhra Pradesh which started Saturday The Vice President will attend as the Chief Guest at the grand Centenary Celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium Puttaparthi on Sunday an official said in a statementLater the Vice President will also visit the new campus of the National Academy of Customs Indirect Taxes amp Narcotics NACIN at Palasamudram and address the Officer Trainees of All India Services and Central Civil Services attending their Special Foundation CourseOn Saturday the Vice President participated as the Chief Guest at the 44th Convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning Prasanthi Nilayam PuttaparthiLast week the Vice President who is also the Chairman of Rajya Sabha held a meeting with Deputy Chairman Harivansh and the Secretary General of the Upper House to discuss preparations for the upcoming Winter Session at Parliament HouseThe discussions revolved around the arrangements for the transaction of business and other facilities for the MPs who raise questionsThe Winter Session will also mark the debut of Vice President Radhakrishnan as Rajya Sabha Chairman He took the oath as the 15th Vice President on September 12The Winter Session of Parliament is expected to begin on December 1 and continue at least till December 19On October 21 Radhakrishnan visited various sections of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat at Parliament House and interacted with the staff During his meeting with the staff he appreciated their role in ensuring the smooth and effective functioning of the Rajya SabhaHis visit covered key sections including the Table Office Legislative Section Question Branch Members Salaries and Allowances Branch Members Amenities Section Bill Office Notice Office Lobby Office and Reporters Branch IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-radhakrishnan-to-attend-centenary-of-sri-sathya-sai-baba-in-andhra-today-649949.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 06:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-radhakrishnan-to-attend-centenary-of-sri-sathya-sai-baba-in-andhra-on-nov-23-649736.html New Delhi Nov 21 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan will be on a twoday visit to Andhra Pradesh starting Saturday during which he will attend the centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and address trainee civil servants an official said On Saturday the Vice President will participate as the Chief Guest at the 44th Convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning Prasanthi Nilayam PuttaparthiThe Vice President will attend as the Chief Guest at the grand Centenary Celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium Puttaparthi on Sunday an official said in a statementLater the Vice President will also visit the new campus of the National Academy of Customs Indirect Taxes amp Narcotics NACIN at Palasamudram and address the Officer Trainees of All India Services and Central Civil Services attending their Special Foundation CourseOn Saturday the Vice President will also visit Rajasthan to attend a family function of Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur in Sadri Pali said a statementLast week the Vice President who is also the Chairman of Rajya Sabha held a meeting with Deputy Chairman Harivansh and the Secretary General of the Upper House to discuss preparations for the upcoming Winter Session at Parliament HouseThe discussions revolved around the arrangements for the transaction of business and other facilities for the MPs who raise questionsThe Winter Session will also mark the debut of Vice President Radhakrishnan as Rajya Sabha Chairman He took the oath as the 15th Vice President on September 12The Winter Session of Parliament is expected to begin on December 1 and continue at least till December 19On October 21 Radhakrishnan visited various sections of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat at Parliament House and interacted with the staff During his meeting with the staff he appreciated their role in ensuring the smooth and effective functioning of the Rajya SabhaHis visit covered key sections including the Table Office Legislative Section Question Branch Members Salaries and Allowances Branch Members Amenities Section Bill Office Notice Office Lobby Office and Reporters Branch IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-radhakrishnan-to-attend-centenary-of-sri-sathya-sai-baba-in-andhra-on-nov-23-649736.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gautam-adani-announces-rs-100-crore-contribution-to-indology-mission-649737.html Ahmedabad Nov 21 Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani on Friday announced a Rs 100 crore contribution to the Indology Mission aimed at building the Bharat Knowledge Graph â a firstofitskind digital framework designed to preserve structure and futureproof Indiaâs civilisational knowledge in the age of Artificial Intelligence The Adani Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Educationâs Indian Knowledge Systems IKS is hosting the threeday Global Indology Conclave to revive Indology â the global academic study of Indiaâs civilisation languages philosophies sciences and cultural heritageDelivering the keynote address at the event Gautam Adani said âAs a beginning I am humbled to announce a founding contribution of Rs 100 crore towards building the Bharat Knowledge Graph and supporting the scholars and technologists who will contribute to this Indology mission This is the repayment of a civilisational debtâThe guest of honour at the conclave Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math said âWhen I assumed the position of Shankaracharya I had said that my role would become meaningful only when India becomes the Vishwaguru global teacher And today Gautam Adani jiâs initiative is a major support to that very dream of mineâThe Global Indology Conclave is being held at the Adani Corporate House in Ahmedabad from 20 to 22 November 2025 At a time when Indology departments worldwide are shrinking this effort seeks to reassert Indiaâs ownership of its knowledge systems and present them to the world through an authentic researchdriven Indian lensâIf a civilisation does not actively defend its cultural and emotional frameworks human behaviour will bend not towards culture or tradition but towards the cold logic of the machineâs algorithms This shift will be silent gradual and will reshape how we feel learn and analyse our own countryâ Gautam Adani statedLaunched under the National Education Policy NEP 2020 IKS works to mainstream ancient Indian wisdom across disciplines encouraging interdisciplinary research preservation of texts and practices and practical application in modern contexts such as engineering environmental science linguistics public policy and healthcareIndology has historically shaped the global understanding of India influencing sectors as varied as linguistics astronomy mathematics governance literature and health sciences But decades of declining institutional support have diluted its academic depth To address this challenge the Adani Group and IKS are also leading a fiveyear program to support 14 PhD scholars across leading institutions Their research will span Paninian grammar and computational linguistics ancient astronomical systems indigenous healthcare frameworks sustainability principles in traditional engineering political thought heritage studies and classical literature according to an Adani Group statementThe scholars were selected through a rigorous national consultation involving IITs IIMs IKSfocused universities and eminent scholars By integrating classical knowledge with advanced tools such as data science systems thinking and multimodal archiving the programme seeks to make Indology relevant to contemporary academic discourse and global scholarship the statement explainedRooted in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam â the ancient Indian ethos of âthe world as one familyââ the initiative reflects the Adani Groupâs commitment to strengthening Indiaâs soft power and civilisational leadership the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gautam-adani-announces-rs-100-crore-contribution-to-indology-mission-649737.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/andhra-pradesh-will-be-maoist-free-by-march-2026-says-dgp-649538.html Visakhapatnam Nov 20 Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police DGP Harish Kumar Gupta on Thursday exuded confidence that Andhra Pradesh will be free from Maoists by the end of next March Stating that the police achieved huge success with the two encounters in Maredumilli forests in Alluri Sitharamaraju district he said the police were taking all measures to achieve the target of making Andhra Pradesh free from leftwing extremism by March 2026 as part of the goal set by the Union Home MinistryAddressing a press conference at Rampachodavaram in Alluri Sitharamaraju district on Thursday he said all the security forces were working to achieve the targetThe DGP arrived here to review the ongoing âOperation Sambhavâ launched to eliminate the Maoists who entered the Maredumilli agency in the Andhra Odisha border area from neighbouring ChhattisgarhHe termed the two encounters in Maredumilli as a major success Thirteen Maoists including top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma and explosives expert Metturi Joga Rao alias Tech Shankar were killed in these encountersThe DGP said the police also arrested 50 Maoists from five districts on November 18 All these Maoists had come to Andhra Pradesh from Chhattisgarh as part of their attempts to establish a shelterHe reiterated the call to all the Maoists to surrender and join the national mainstream He warned that those refusing to surrender will be either caught or neutralisedâThere is no place for violence in Andhra Pradeshâ said the DGPThe DGP clarified that CPI Maoist general secretary Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji is not in the police custodyNine members of the protection team of Devuji were among 50 Maoists arrested in five districts on November 18 hours after an encounter in the forests of Alluri Sitharamaraju district in which top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma his wife Raje and four others were killedA day after Hidmaâs killing seven Maoists including explosives expert Metturi Joga Rao alias Tech Shankar and six others were killed in the same areaAdditional DirectorGeneral of Police Intelligence Mahesh Chandra Laddha who briefed the DGP about the Operation Sambhav by displaying the seized weapons from the encounter sitesLaddha had said on Wednesday that under pressure due to the operations by security forces Maoists from Chhattisgarh are entering Andhra Pradesh to turn it into a shelter zone and that they plan to revive Maoist activity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/andhra-pradesh-will-be-maoist-free-by-march-2026-says-dgp-649538.html Fri, 21 Nov 2025 01:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/brain-fever-karnataka-govt-releases-guidelines-for-sabarimala-pilgrims-649248.html Bengaluru Nov 18 The Karnataka government has issued guidelines for Sabarimala pilgrims following cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis or brain fever caused by the Naegleria fowleri microorganism commonly known as the âbrain eating amoebaâ The guidelines aim to protect public health and ensure preventive measures The Commissioner of the Health Department stated on Tuesday that Naegleria fowleri is a freeliving amoeba typically found in warm freshwater and sand such as stagnant water puddles and swimming pools The infection does not spread from one person to another nor does it occur by drinking contaminated waterNaegleria fowleri is a highly virulent microorganism and when water containing the amoeba enters the nose it can reach the brain and cause the rare and often fatal condition of amoebic meningoencephalitis During the pilgrimage pilgrims are advised to ensure that water does not enter the nose while bathing The use of nose clips is also recommendedAfter exposure to water if an individual develops symptoms such as fever severe headache nausea vomiting neck stiffness altered mental status or behavioural disturbances they should immediately seek medical attention at the nearest government hospital without delay the Health Department statedAs Sabarimalas annual pilgrimage season began Keralas Health Department issued an advisory to the devotees emphasising that devotees must ensure that water does not enter the body through the nose while taking a bathThe notice has been issued in the wake of a spike in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases in the stateA large number of devotees from Karnataka visit the shrine as it is one of the states with many Ayyappan templesNearly two lakh devotees arrived at the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta on Tuesday within 48 hours of the temple opening for the annual mandalamakaravilakku pilgrimage season Large crowds of devotees packed the pilgrimage route from Pamba the foothills of Sabarimala to the Sannidhanam with many facing hourslong delays in climbing the pathAccording to an official statement on November 16 the day on which the temple opened 53278 pilgrims visited the shrine Heavy rush at Sabarimala is leading to chaos as queues for darshan stretch up to 10 hours according to local authorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/brain-fever-karnataka-govt-releases-guidelines-for-sabarimala-pilgrims-649248.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-meets-author-berjis-desai-receives-a-copy-of-modis-mission-649266.html New Delhi Nov 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Berjis Desai the author of âModiâs Missionâ âDelighted to meet noted lawyer Shri Berjis Desai Ji and receive a copy of his bookâ the PM said on X while responding to a tweet by author Desai who hours earlier posted a picture of himself along with PM Modi while presenting his bookâHad the privilege of presenting my book MODIâS MISSION to the Honourable Prime Minister todayâ said Berjis Desai on XLast month this book was launched in Mumbai in the presence of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and othersSpeaking after the release of the book Governor Devvrat said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took many seemingly impossible decisions in his life such as revoking Article 370 resolving the Ram Janmabhoomi issue peacefully and increasing Indias prestige at the global level which he mentioned as a testament to his strong willâThe book not only reviews the life of PM Modi but also shows how a persons values consciousness and attitude towards striving for the nation are formed The Prime Minister after experiencing both the paths of service and renunciation resolved to awaken nationalism through Sangh work Under his leadership the country has witnessed historic decisions like the abrogation of Article 370 the construction of the Ram Temple the Citizenship Act and the ban on triple talaq Behind all these decisions there is a sense of national consciousnessâ he observedChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the book stands apart from other writings on PM Modi as it explores âhow a personâs values and character are forged amid hardshipâHe noted that the author has beautifully portrayed PM Modiâs journey from a humble childhood to becoming Indiaâs most transformative leaderâModi jiâs early life was full of struggle He understood sacrifice at a very young ageâhe would eat less so that his family could have more From the age of nine he grasped what selflessness meantâ Fadnavis saidâHe devoted his life to a mission No one imagined that an RSS pracharak would one day become the Prime Minister of India The author has captured how Modi addressed ideological challenges â from Article 370 to Ram Mandir Triple Talaq and judicial reforms â with deep consciousness and clarityâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-meets-author-berjis-desai-receives-a-copy-of-modis-mission-649266.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/looking-forward-to-taking-part-in-sathya-sai-baba-centenary-celebrations-pm-modi-649277.html Puttaparthi Andhra Pradesh Nov 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that he is looking forward to participate in the centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Wednesday I look forward to being among my sisters and brothers of Andhra Pradesh tomorrow to participate in the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi the Prime Minister said in a post on XHis life and efforts towards community service and the spiritual awakening of society remain a guiding light for generations I have had various opportunities to interact with him and learn from him over the years Here are some glimpses from our interactions the PM added who posted his photographs taken with the godman Sai Baba on different occasions in the pastAccompanied by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu the Prime Minister will visit the holy shrine and Mahasamadhi of Sri Sathya Sai Baba here around 10 am to offer his obeisance and pay respectsPrime Minister Modi will also release a commemorative coin and a set of stamps honouring the life teachings and enduring legacy of Sathya Sai BabaHe will also address a public gathering during the programmeThe Prime Minister will later travel to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu where he will inaugurate the South India Natural Farming Summit 2025 at around 130 pmHe will release the 21st instalment of PMKISAN amounting to more than Rs 18000 crores to support nine crore farmers across the countryThe Prime Minister will also address the gathering on the occasionChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu who is reaching Puttaparthi on Tuesday night will welcome Prime Minister Modi at Puttparthi airport at 925 am on WednesdayAccording to the schedule announced by the state government both the leaders visit Prasanti Nilayam and offer prayers at Sathya Sai Baba MahasamadhiLater both the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister will reach Hill View stadium and participate in Sathya Sai Baba birth centenary celebrationsAfter bidding farewell to Prime Minister Modi at Puttaparthi airport Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will reach Pendlimarri of Kamalapuram constituency in Kadapa district to participate in Annadata Sukheebhava second phase funds distribution programmeUnder Annadata Sukheebhava and PM Kisan scheme each farmer will get Rs 7000A total of 4685838 farmers across the state will get benefit under the scheme with distribution of Rs 3135 croreUnder both first and second instalments the farmers will get a total of Rs 630944 croreLater the Chief Minister will interact with the cadre of Telugu Desam Party TDP and reach Amaravati by Wednesday night IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/looking-forward-to-taking-part-in-sathya-sai-baba-centenary-celebrations-pm-modi-649277.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sathya-sai-babas-life-was-a-living-embodiment-of-vasudhaiva-kutumbakam-pm-modi-649367.html Puttaparthi Andhra Pradesh Nov 19 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sri Sathya Sai Babas life was a living embodiment of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and his words continue to guide and inspire people in their daily livesnbspAddressing the birth centenary celebrations of Sathya Sai Baba here on Wednesday he said that millions of lives in more than 140 countries are moving forward with new light new direction and new resolveSri Sathya Sai Babas life was a living embodiment of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Therefore this birth centenary year has become a grand festival of universal love peace and service for us the Prime Minister saidHe noted that the impact of Sathya Sai Babas teachings can be seen among people everywhere Manav Seva is Madhav Seva This is the highest ideal for Babas devotees He often said Help ever hurt never Less talk more work Many of his words continue to guide and inspire us in our daily lives he saidPM Modi said that it is the honour of his government that on this auspicious occasion a commemorative coin and a postal stamp have also been released These symbolise and reflect the spirit of service embodied in the life and work of Sri Sathya Sai Baba He congratulated and conveyed best wishes to all devotees fellow volunteers and Babas followers across the worldAll our diverse spiritual and philosophical traditions ultimately converge on this one ideal Whether one walks the path of devotion knowledge or action each is deeply connected to seva What is bhakti without service to the Divine present in all beings What is gyan if it does not awaken compassion for others What is karma if it is not performed in the spirit of offering ones work in service to society he saidSeva Parmo Dharmah is the ethos that has sustained India through centuries of changes and challenges It has given our civilisation its inner strength Many of our great saints and reformers have carried forward this timeless message Sri Sathya Sai Baba placed seva at the very heart of human life He often said love all serve allPM Modi called his participation in the celebrations in the sacred land an emotional and spiritual experience for him This birth centenary year of Shri Sathya Sai Baba is not just a celebration for our generation it is a divine blessing Even though he is no longer physically present among us his teachings his love and his spirit of service continue to guide millions across the world said the PM who earlier paid respects at Sathya Sai Babas SamadhiHe mentioned how a single meeting with Baba changed the lives of many people In just one meeting if someones life can change it shows the greatness of that person Here today many people present have had their lives transformed by the words of Sri Sathya Sai Baba I am glad that with Babas inspiration the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and its allied organisations are continuing this sacred work of Seva he saidHe noted that millions of Babas followers are engaged in this mission with complete selflessness Serving humanity is serving the Divine and this is the highest ideal upheld by Babas devotees He gave us many teachings filled with compassion duty discipline and a complete philosophy of life He often said Help Ever Hurt Never Even today these lifeguiding principles of Shri Sathya Sai Baba continue to resonate in all our hearts Sai Baba used spirituality as a means for social welfare and public good He connected it with selfless service characterbuilding and valuebased education He never invested his energy in promoting any single doctrine or sect Instead he dedicated himself to helping the poor and working tirelessly to ease their sufferingPM Modi recalled that after the Gujarat earthquake Babas Seva Dal and the entire community of volunteers were among the first to step forward to help the victims His followers served with complete dedication for many days They played a crucial role in delivering relief material to the affected families and providing essential support material emotional and socialHe said he was satisfied that inspired by Baba the Sai Central Trust and its associated institutions are advancing the mission of service in a wellorganised institutional and longterm manner Today it stands before us as a practical and successful model Your remarkable work in areas such as drinking water housing healthcare nutrition disaster support and clean energy is truly commendablePaid homage to Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the Sai Kulwant Hall Prasanthi Nilayam and went to Omkar Hall for Darshan Being in these sacred spaces is a reminder of his boundless compassion and lifelong commitment to uplifting humanity His message of selfless service continues to guide and inspire millions the Prime Minister posted on XThe Prime Minister also shared that among the many noble deeds they are doing the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust has focused greatly on animal welfare Today took part in the Gaudan Ceremony in which farmers are being given cows The cows in the pictures below are Gir Cows May we all keep working for the welfare of our society as shown by Sri Sathya Sai Baba https://dailyworld.in/religion/sathya-sai-babas-life-was-a-living-embodiment-of-vasudhaiva-kutumbakam-pm-modi-649367.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sanatan-philosophy-is-integral-human-philosophy-mohan-bhagwat-648849.html Jaipur Nov 15 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday that Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya articulated Sanatan philosophy for the modern world by presenting it as Integral Human Philosophy in accordance with the needs of the country time and circumstances He said that although this philosophy was formally presented 60 years ago its relevance today extends across the worldBhagwat was delivering the Deendayal Memorial Lecture organised by the Integral Human Philosophy Research and Development Foundation in JaipurHe pointed out that the essence of Integral Human Philosophy can be understood in one word DharmaClarifying that Dharma does not refer to religion sect or creed he said it signifies a destination and a universal outlook that accommodates allAt present he said the world must adopt this Dharma of Integral Human Philosophy He noted that historically Indians have never exploited or harmed others when travelling abroad and instead contributed positively wherever they wentâWhile lifestyles food habits and clothing in India have changed over time the eternal philosophy of integral humanism has remained intactâ he saidIts foundation he said is the belief that happiness lies within oneselfâRecognising this inner happiness leads to the understanding that the entire world is one Integral humanism is a philosophy free from extremismâ he emphasisedSpeaking about physical mental and intellectual strength Bhagwat said that all forms of power have limitsThe need of the hour he added is to pursue personal development while remaining committed to the welfare of all Citing frequent global economic disruptions he said India remains relatively less affected because its economic strength is rooted in its family structureCommenting on rapid scientific progress Bhagwat said that while material comforts have increased peace and satisfaction have notHe questioned whether health has truly improved despite new medicines pointing out that some illnesses arise due to certain treatmentsHe further noted that only 4 per cent of the global population uses 80 per cent of the worldâs resources widening the gap between developed and underdeveloped nationsHe said that India has always had diversity but it has never been a source of conflict â rather a source of celebrationâIndian society accommodated countless deities and continued to welcome more without any difficulty The world acknowledges the existence of happiness for the body mind and intellect but not how to achieve all three togetherâ he saidAccording to Bhagwat India uniquely understands this because it believes in the holistic happiness of the body mind intellect and soulEarlier Mahesh Sharma President of the Integral Human Philosophy Research and Development Foundation introduced the programHe said that the entire universe is interconnected and even the movement of a single particle has an impact on the wholeHe also noted that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the composition of Vande Mataram emphasising the importance of singing the full song in the present circumstancesThe event was attended by several dignitaries including Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Berwa former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje BJP State President Madan Rathore State Ministers Kirodi Lal Meena and Rajyavardhan Rathore Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari former Minister Rajendra Rathore RSS All India CoPromotional Chief Arun Jain All India CoOrganisational Chief Anil Oak Regional Sanghchalak Ramesh Agarwal and Regional Pracharak Nimbaram SS Agarwal Director of the Health Welfare Group proposed the vote of thanks and Narbada Indoria conducted the proceedings IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sanatan-philosophy-is-integral-human-philosophy-mohan-bhagwat-648849.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/aimim-will-continue-to-work-for-seemanchals-development-owaisi-648719.html Hyderabad Nov 14 The AIMIM which won five seats in the Bihar Assembly elections will continue to fight for justice to the states Seemanchal and work for its development party President Asaduddin Owaisi said on Friday The Hyderabad MP said his party welcomes the mandate given by the people of Bihar We welcome the public mandate We congratulate Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and express our best wishes he saidAddressing a press conference Owaisi said his party would cooperate with the government for the development of SeemanchalOur focus will be on bringing progress to Seemanchal reducing child mortality and building schools hospitals bridges and industries for women and children We will extend our full cooperation in this effort he saidOwaisi said despite the defeat in the first election and despite the split engineered by the rivals by luring four MLAs in 2022 the AIMIM did not leave Seemanchal and declared that it would continue its fightThanking the voters of Seemanchal for electing five MLAs of his party Owaisi said this result will send a message to minorities across the countryI am again appealing to Muslim society not to be mere voters for others but to be citizens to get your rights as citizens If you vote you will be forgotten after the election and nobody will come if some calamity befalls you he saidHe hoped that secularminded forces would also do the introspection and do course correction instead of only blaming MuslimsYou canât say a particular caste did not vote for you but you blame Muslims because you feel they are your captive voters and they are bonded labourers he said in reply to a questionThe AIMIM chief said he had been saying that the RJD would not be able to stop the BJPPeople of Bihar were misled on the MY combination I said this earlier and during elections and saying it again today You will be just reduced to vote givers Become vote getters There will be two benefits Your leadership will develop and you will be able to stop communal and fascist forces he saidOwaisi said his apprehensions about the Bihar elections outcome have come true Without naming the Mahagathbandhan he said they need to introspect on why they failed to stop the BJPUrging them to do the course correction he said merely cursing AIMIM will not helpHe rubbished the statement of Samajawadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav blaming SIR for the defeat in BiharYou need to see your weaknesses First of all you have to be humble If you think we are raja and voters are our praja those days have gone he saidThe AIMIM chief hailed the victory of Congress candidate Naveen Yadav in the Jubilee Hills byelection He said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy called him and thanked him for his partyâs supportTerming this as a big victory after the 2023 elections Owaisi hoped that CM Revanth Reddy would do more to improve infrastructure and civic amenities in Jubilee Hills and the rest of Hyderabad and TelanganaHe defended the stand taken by the party and pointed out that the vote share of the BRS was falling IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/aimim-will-continue-to-work-for-seemanchals-development-owaisi-648719.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 23:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/indian-woman-goes-missing-in-pakistan-was-member-of-sikh-group-to-celebrate-parkash-purab-648619.html Chandigarh Nov 14 A woman Sikh pilgrim went missing from the group of devotees who had travelled to Pakistan on November 4 to celebrate the Parkash Purab birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev The pilgrim has been identified as Sarabjit Kaur a resident of Kapurthala district PunjabAs per official records the woman travelled to Pakistan on November 4 with a group of 1923 pilgrims via the Attari border in Amritsar under a bilateral agreement facilitating visits to religious shrinesThe âjathaâ was led by Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj of Akal Takht SahibAfter spending 10 days visiting various gurudwaras in Pakistan the group of 1922 returned to India on Thursday eveningAccording to immigration records Sarabjit Kaur had gone missing from the group Her name was not found in the records of Pakistanâs immigration while exiting nor in Indiaâs immigration records for reentryAfter her disappearance intelligence agencies in both India and Pakistan are trying to trace her whereaboutsSources in the Indian government told IANS that the Indian mission in Pakistan is in touch with the Pakistani authoritiesOn November 4 the Sikh pilgrims went to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Jiâs Prakash Parv However Pakistani officials reportedly denied 14 Hindus from Delhi and Lucknow from travelling with the Sikh groupLast month the Union government granted permission to the Sikh pilgrims to undertake a 10day journey to the Nankana Sahib shrine in Pakistan and mark the birth anniversary almost two weeks after it refused permission for the holy trip citing security concernsEvery year the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee SGPC sends a delegation of Sikh devotees to Pakistan to pay obeisance at various historic gurudwaras associated with the Sikh faith especially on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Jiâs Parkash Purb IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/indian-woman-goes-missing-in-pakistan-was-member-of-sikh-group-to-celebrate-parkash-purab-648619.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/deendayals-philosophy-rooted-in-his-lifelong-austerity-mohan-bhagwat--648677.html Jaipur Nov 14 Mohan Bhagwat Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS visited the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Memorial in Dhankya village Jaipur on Friday He paid floral tribute to the statue of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and viewed various exhibits depicting pivotal events of Panditjiâs life and the evolution of his valuebased philosophyBhagwat also toured an exhibition showcasing the activities of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Samaroh Samiti over the past six years On the occasion Bhagwat said that Pandit Deendayalâs philosophy is rooted in his lifelong austerity âIt is not mere contemplationâ he said âbut the outcome of deep reflection on lifeâs experiencesâ He added that this philosophy is not new but an expression of Indiaâs eternal wisdom which Deendayal reinterpreted and presented according to the needs of his time âHe experienced what the saints and sages had said and distilled that experience into a refined form for societyâ he notedBhagwat emphasised that the national memorial should serve as a medium to carry Deendayalâs philosophy to every corner of the country He said that sustained efforts should be made to spread these ideals and honour those who embody them Truth compassion purity and austerityâthese four qualities he said are fully reflected in Pandit Deendayalâs life He added that Deendayal is the only example in independent India of a person who entered politics and attempted to transform its nature without compromising his personal character or values Those who follow his path Bhagwat said are striving to move in the right direction and Deendayalâs life offers a guiding example for that effort Mohan Lal Chhipa Chairman of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Celebration Committee said the committee was established in 2019 to spread Deendayal Upadhyayâs philosophy across India and abroad He said the aim is to inspire social and political activists with Deendayalâs ideas and continuous work is being carried out in this directionHe informed that major memorials dedicated to Deendayal have been established in Dhankya Farah Mathura Chitrakoot and Mughalsarai where various initiatives inspired by his thought are underway Chhipa added that before becoming a preacher Deendayal spent 21 years in Rajasthan and 5 years in Uttar Pradesh shaping his personality and worldview His daily worship at the Shiva and Hanuman temples in Dhankya during childhood deeply ingrained spiritual values that later influenced his philosophyEarlier committee president Mohan Lal Chhipa secretary Pratapbhanu Singh Shekhawat vice president Rajendra Singh Shekhawat treasurer Gajendra Gyanpuriya and cosecretary Neeraj Kumawat welcomed Bhagwat with a turban shawl coconut Sanganeri scarf memento and books Committee members also honoured Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Ramesh Agarwal the Rajasthan Regional Sanghchalak of the RSS Several dignitaries were present at the event including Area Pracharak Nimbaram Jaipur Province Pracharak Babulal Chittor Province Pracharak Muralidhar Jodhpur Province Pracharak Vijayanand All India CoPracharak Chief Arun Jain and representatives of the Rajasthan Heritage Conservation Committee During the programme the Sarsanghchalak also held an informal interaction with committee members IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/deendayals-philosophy-rooted-in-his-lifelong-austerity-mohan-bhagwat--648677.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/educated-people-can-pose-a-greater-threat-of-extremism-assam-cm-648280.html Guwahati Nov 12 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued a sharp warning on Wednesday in the wake of the recent Delhi blast describing it as a grim reminder that education alone cannot prevent radicalisation Calling the incident a ânew dimension of extremismâ Sarma said the nation must reexamine its assumptions about what drives people towards terror and ideological violence Speaking to reporters Sarma reflected on how the traditional understanding of extremism has evolved âEarlier we believed that lack of education pushed people towards extremist ideologiesâ he said âBut today we see that even highly educated individuals can pose a greater threat If someone cannot sing Vande Mataram from their heart no amount of education can make them loyal to the nationâ The Chief Ministerâs remarks come as investigations continue into the Delhi explosion near the Red Fort that killed and injured several people earlier this week Security agencies have reportedly discovered that some individuals with professional and technical backgrounds were linked to the conspiracy fuelling a larger debate over the role of ideology not just socioeconomic deprivation in the spread of radicalism Sarma emphasised that the root cause of extremism lies not in literacy levels but in distorted beliefs and misplaced loyaltiesâWe were always taught that education brings enlightenment and reduces extremismâ he said âBut the current reality is alarmingâpeople who are doctors engineers or welleducated professionals are sometimes becoming more dangerous because their radicalism is intellectually justified rather than blindâ His comments follow a series of arrests made across Assam for allegedly spreading inflammatory and terrorglorifying content online in connection with the blast Sarma reiterated that Assam Police would continue to act firmly against any attempt to misuse social media or incite hatred The Chief Minister urged citizens to remain alert to both overt and subtle forms of radical influence âTrue education must strengthen love for the nation not weaken itâ he asserted âExtremism is not about ignorance anymoreâitâs about the failure of conviction We must address that before itâs too lateâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/educated-people-can-pose-a-greater-threat-of-extremism-assam-cm-648280.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rajasthan-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-arrives-in-jaipur-to-participate-in-centenary-celebrations-648298.html Jaipur Nov 12 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohanrao Bhagwat arrived in Jaipur on Wednesday and will be in the city till November 16 as part of the RSSâs centenary celebrations During his fiveday visit he will participate in various programmes in Jaipur and interact with RSS workersRSS Rajasthan Regional Sanghchalak Ramesh Agarwal informed that as per the schedule Bhagwat arrived in Jaipur on the night of November 12On November 15 at 530 pm Bhagwat will address a programme on âCurrent Global Scenario and Integral Human Philosophyâ organised by the Integral Human Philosophy Research and Development Foundation at the SMS Indoor Stadium JaipurOn November 16 at 10 am he will attend the launch ceremony of âAur Yeh Jeevan Samarpitâ a book highlighting the lives and contributions of late RSS pracharaks from Rajasthan at Pathey Bhawan Malviya NagarThe book has been published by Gyan Ganga Prakashan JaipurDuring his stay in Jaipur Bhagwat will also hold meetings with different groups of RSS workers and have informal interactionsSpeaking in Bengaluru recently at a twoday lecture series titled 100 Years of Sangh Journey New Horizons Bhagwat clarified that the Sangh is open to people from all communities including Muslims and Christians but there is a conditionHe said that every individual can come to the Sangh as long as they see themselves as sons of Bharat Mata and commit to the broader Hindu societyNo Brahmin is allowed in Sangh No other caste is allowed in the Sangh No Muslim is allowed no Christian is allowed in the Sangha Only Hindus are allowed So people with different denominations Muslims Christians any denomination can come to the Sangha but keep your separateness out Your speciality is welcome But when you come inside Shakha you come as a son of Bharat Mata a member of this Hindu society Bhagwat saidHe further added that people from all castes and even those from Muslim or Christian backgrounds participate in Shakhas the RSSs local branchesWe are all sons of Bharat Mata That is how Sangha works he addedHe explained that the RSSs approach is rooted in unity and inclusivity based on the idea of a shared national identity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rajasthan-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-arrives-in-jaipur-to-participate-in-centenary-celebrations-648298.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/maha-cm-lays-foundation-stone-for-development-works-for-nashik-kumbh-mela-648432.html Nashik Nov 13 Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the development works worth Rs 565789 crore in Nashik city He assured that the works of Simhastha Kumbh Mela will be done in a quality and transparent manner and Nashik will be made a beautiful and modern cityFadnavis said five times more devotees are likely to come to the Kumbh Mela than last timeThe Chief Minister said that works worth more than Rs 20000 crores are being started in Nashik through the Central and state governmentsâThis amount is likely to reach Rs 25000 crores by the time of Kumbh Mela and due to this a large amount of infrastructure will be builtâ he saidThe Chief Minister further said that emphasis is being placed on repairing roads highways drinking water schemes maintaining the sanctity of Godavari for the Kumbh Mela creating good ghats reviving old temples and maintaining the ancient look of Godaghat while carrying out development worksThe Chief Minister said that an outer circular route is being prepared to manage the devotees during the Kumbh Mela which will benefit Nashik in the futureâEmphasis is being placed on developing a modern Nashik city through a new terminal building at Nashik Airport railway facilities bus station facilities and a smart CCTV systemâ he saidHe said that twelve hundred acres of land are being acquired and the Kumbh is being organised on itFadnavis assured that all these works of Kumbh Mela will be done transparentlyâSaints should guide the government for organising Kumbh Mela their guidance is importantâ he saidDeputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the Simhastha Kumbh Mela will change the face of Nashik and the city will develop in a planned mannerâThis event will create an identity for Nashik on the world map Kumbh Parv is an opportunity to make Nashik a beautiful and modern cityâ he saidThe Deputy Chief Minister said that the government is committed to creating quality facilities for the ceremonyâSince a large number of devotees will come the government and administration have a big responsibility for security and necessary preparations are being made for it Artificial intelligence will be used for securityâ he saidHe further said that Godavari is called the South Ganga and the Ganga of development is coming to Nashik city through the inauguration of development worksKumbh Minister Girish Mahajan said that the government was honoured in the US by taking note of the previous Kumbh MelaâThis time more devotees are likely to come than last year Since there is less space in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar compared to Prayagraj the government and administration are working fast to make the upcoming Kumbh Mela safeâ he saidThe minister said that special efforts are being made by the police force to maintain an atmosphere of law and order IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/maha-cm-lays-foundation-stone-for-development-works-for-nashik-kumbh-mela-648432.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 19:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/parakamani-theft-case-sit-continues-questioning-ex-andhra-police-officers-648201.html Tirupati Nov 12 The Special Investigation Team SIT of Andhra Pradesh continued questioning former police officers and TTD officials in the Parakamani theft case at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala Jaganmohan Reddy who was Circle Inspector CI of Police at Tirumala One Town Police Station when the case was registered in 2023 appeared before the CIDled SIT for second time on WednesdaySome officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD which manages the affairs of the richest Hindu temple also appeared before the SIT led by CID Director General Ravi Shankar AyyanarOn Monday the CID interrogated former CI Jaganmohan Reddy SubInspector Lakshmi Reddy and former TTD vigilance officer Giridhar Earlier former Two Town CI Chandra Sekhar was also questionedThe CID is looking into the role of police officials in the compromise between the accused CV Ravi Kumar and the complainant Satish KumarThe SIT is also examining unrecorded properties linked to the accused and alleged political interference to settle the caseLast month the SIT had visited Parakamani coins and currency notes counting centre at the famous hill shrine and seized the records pertaining to the case registered at Tirumala One Town Police StationThe SIT launched the probe after the Andhra Pradesh High Court pulled up the police department and the DGP for not implementing its orders on the petition challenging the closure of the Parakamani theft case in the Lok AdalatRavi Kumar an employee of TTD was caught while stealing 920 dollars from Parakamani in April 2023The theft case registered at the Tirumala police station was shifted to the Lok Adalat where a compromise settlement formula was reached in September 2023 after Ravi Kumar volunteered to donate seven properties worth Rs 40 crore all of them located in Tirupati and Chennai in the name of the TTDRecently a petition was filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court alleging that there was no investigation into the theft case The thengoverning board of TTD had closed the case after a settlement in the Lok Adalat The petitioner had challenged the closure of the caseIn September the High Court had directed the Inspector General of CID to seize all records pertaining to the case proceedings before the Lok Adalat and draft resolutions by the TTD board if any and submit the same in a sealed coverAlso in September two members of the TTD Trust Board released a video purportedly of the theft caseTTD board member and BJP State spokesperson G Bhanuprakash Reddy and TTD Ex Officio member C Divakar Reddy released the CCTV footage from the surveillance cameras fixed at ParakamaniRavi Kumar had allegedly swindled away currency notes by concealing them in his undergarments on April 29 2023The TTD Board members alleged that he was caught in the act of stealing 11300 dollars but the FIR showed recovery of only 900 dollarsThey also alleged that the accused had amassed properties worth Rs 100 crore by stealing wads of foreign currency notes several times in the past IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/parakamani-theft-case-sit-continues-questioning-ex-andhra-police-officers-648201.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-heist-case-notice-to-cpi-648169.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 12 In an embarrassment for the CPIM one of its senior leaders and former MLA A Padmakumar has been served a notice to appear before the High Courtappointed Special Investigation Team SIT probing the sensational Sabarimala temple gold heist case The development comes as a major setback for the ruling party already reeling from the arrest of N Vasu its close aide and former Devaswom Board commissionerVasu was also the former President of the Devasom BoardWhile the SIT has so far arrested four individuals none were directly linked to the political establishmentThat changed on Tuesday when Vasu who held the top administrative post at the Travancore Devaswom Board TDB in 2019 when the theft occurred was taken into custodyAt the time Padmakumar served as president of the TDB which oversees the Sabarimala shrine and several other templesIn recent days investigators have questioned a few officials secretaries and employees who worked with the Board during that periodThe SIT sources said has collected extensive statements and documents indicating procedural lapses and possible collusion within the temple administrationWith the notice now issued to Padmakumar the probe has clearly climbed the political ladder adding a fresh layer of discomfort for the CPIM ahead of the crucial local body electionsThe SIT is now waiting for him for questioning after which further action may followAccording to officials familiar with the investigation the next phase is likely to see more arrests including intermediaries and others already named in the caseThe widening scope of the inquiry has triggered political ripples with the Opposition alleging that the CPIM leadership sought to shield key functionaries until the courtmonitored probe forced the case openMeanwhile on Wednesday the Congress party is holding a massive protest before the State Secretariat demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan another top CPIM leader IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-heist-case-notice-to-cpi-648169.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/forces-that-tried-to-touch-hindu-dharma-have-perished-former-ktaka-cm-bommai-648111.html Gadag Karnataka Nov 11 Former Chief Minister and BJP Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai said on Tuesday that for hundreds of years certain global forces and some forces within our own society have attempted to divide and destroy Sanatan Dharma adding that all such attempts have failed and every power that tried to touch this sacred faith has eventually perished Speaking at a grand event organised by the Atirudra Mahayaga Seva Samiti at the VDSTC School Grounds in Gadag as part of the Kiriya Kumbha Melas grand procession and Shobha Yatra here Bommai said where there is divinity there is GodWhen they see the women carrying the sacred Kumbha pot they see the embodiment of Adi Shakti herself Every human being is a centre of energy How they use that energy and for whose purpose determines their fame success and destinyBommai said For hundreds of years both global and internal forces have tried to divide Sanatana Hindu Dharma but they have never succeeded Hinduism is based on noble philosophy and a life of acceptance and inclusivityTherefore no power on earth can shake it Every force that tried to harm this Dharma has been wiped out he underlinedLet them as followers of Hindu Dharma remain united in their worship of God perform good deeds lead lives of service seek the blessings of our gurus and through these Yajnas destroy their ego and become better human beings Bommai saidThe Union government will take all necessary measures to suppress the forces that create unrest in the country through terrorist activities the former Chief Minister addedHe said that an investigation has already begun regarding the bomb blast in DelhiAuthorities are investigating who owned the car to whom it was sold and the terrorist links behind it Within four to five hours of the blast prompt action was taken he addedHe expressed confidence that soon not just in the Red Fort but across the entire nation the Central government will take all possible measures to crush these forces that spread terrorism and unrestResponding to a query about Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs statement that India cannot be made a Hindu nation Bommai said Siddaramaiah is making such baseless statements only to save his CMs chair He says making India a Hindu nation is irrelevant but he blames the Centre for everything hes doing political circus just to hold on to his Chief Ministerial positionRegarding Legislative Council member BK Hariprasads allegation that the Delhi bomb blast was a failure of the Union Home Department the former Chief Minister replied Does Hariprasad have any other work Every morning there are incidents of violence here in Karnataka How many times has the Karnataka government failed Why doesnt he question that IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/forces-that-tried-to-touch-hindu-dharma-have-perished-former-ktaka-cm-bommai-648111.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 20:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rss-we-support-issues-not-parties-wouldve-backed-cong-if-it-endorsed-ram-mandir-movement-647703.html Bengaluru Nov 9 The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS has stated that it does not support any individual or political party but stands firmly behind policies that serve the nations interests RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat made the statement during a twoday lecture series in Bengaluru organised to commemorate the centenary of the RSSAnswering a question on why the Sangh does not support any political party Bhagwat said We do not support any political party We do not participate in electoral politics The Sangh is engaged in uniting society while politics by nature is divisiveWe support policies Especially now that we are a social force we will use our influence to support the right policy not any individual or party For example we wanted a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya Our volunteers supported those who stood for that cause and its construction he statedSo the BJP happened to be involved then But if the Congress had supported the Ram Mandir movement our volunteers would have stood with that party as well Bhagwat addedHe explained that during those agitations elections took place and in most cases there wasnt a singleparty contest but alliances Where the BJP supported alliance candidates our volunteers supported the candidates who supported the cause There is no affinity toward any particular political party he clarifiedNo party is ours and all parties are ours because they are Bharatiya Indian parties We support Rashtra Neeti national policy not Rajneeti party politics We do this openly We have our views and a vision for the direction this country should take and we support whoever works toward that direction Bhagwat statedHe emphasised that there is no question of aligning with the slogan of any political party There are volunteers in many parties who think like the Sangh We aim to organise the entire society without excluding anyone he saidEven present opponents are potential volunteers The only thing the Sangh seeks is the betterment of the country Bhagwat maintainedWhen asked why the RSS uses the Bhagwa Dhwaj saffron flag instead of the national flag and why some people harbour animosity toward the Sangh Bhagwat explained The Sangh began in 1925 and we needed a symbol for the organisation Dr Hedgewar said the Sangh belongs to us If our sister or brother gets married we dont ask for donations we take loans We will never beg for our work The Sangh is ours and we must contribute But there should be no ego in our contributions It should not be a donation but an act of dedication and devotion Hence we give Guru Dakshina offerings For this there must be a Guru But a person cannot be a Guru as he has a limited lifespan he saidEvery sinner has a past and every saint has a future Situations change Therefore there should be a permanent symbol of our glorious culture and Hinduness and that is the Bhagwa Dhwaj It has always been and remains our Guru he saidBhagwat added The Bhagwa Dhwaj was chosen as our Guru The national flag was finalised in 1937 The flag committee unanimously recommended the traditional saffron flag as the national flag of independent India However Mahatma Gandhi intervened and suggested a Tricolour flag with saffron at the topSince its creation the Sangh has respected paid tribute to and protected the Tiranga Dhwaj national flag It was first hoisted in 1933 at a Congress session in Maharashtra Ever since the formation of this flag we have stood in its defence he saidWhen the court later ruled that the national flag could be hoisted by private organisations we began hoisting it on January 26 and August 15 at all Shakhas So there is no conflict between the Bhagwa and the Tiranga Every Communist party has a red flag the Congress party has a Tricolour with a symbol We have the Bhagwa and we respect it That is the reality Bhagwat clarifiedResponding to questions about perceived media hostility toward the RSS Bhagwat said Why should we answer every question Not every question deserves an answer There are people whose role is to raise doubts about the Sangh and thats fine We dont need to respond to everyone we have more important work to doOver the years such criticism has only made us more popular We even encourage people to ask more questions We are doing our work sincerely and for the nations good Still there will always be some who despite knowing the truth choose to criticise us he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rss-we-support-issues-not-parties-wouldve-backed-cong-if-it-endorsed-ram-mandir-movement-647703.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 15:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/deeply-moved-by-warm-welcome-accorded-to-lord-buddhas-sacred-relics-in-bhutan-eam-jaishankar-647749.html New Delhi Nov 9 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday that he was deeply moved to see the warm welcome accorded to sacred relics of Lord Buddha that arrived in Bhutan from India Sharing pictures from the ceremony on X EAM Jaishankar stated Deeply moved to see the warm welcome accorded by the Government and the people of Bhutan to the Sacred Relics of Lord BuddhaEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the people of Bhutan for giving a grand welcome to the sacred relics of Lord BuddhaIn a statement shared on X PM Modi said Heartfelt appreciation to the people and leadership of Bhutan for the reverent welcome accorded to the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from India These relics symbolise the timeless message of peace compassion and harmony The teachings of Lord Buddha are a sacred link between our two nations shared spiritual heritageThe sacred relics of Lord Buddha enshrined at the National Museum in New Delhi reached Bhutan for a public exposition from November 818 The Indian delegation led by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar comprises senior Buddhist monks and officials The exposition marks another milestone in the enduring cultural and spiritual partnership between India and Bhutan according to a statement released by the Ministry of Culture on SaturdayUpon arrival at Paro International Airport the sacred relics were received with deep reverence by Bhutans Home Minister Tshering Tshoki Lopen of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan and the Mayor of Paro Dzongkhag Norbu Wangchuk Indias Ambassador to Bhutan Sandeep Arya and senior officials and monks from Bhutan Bhutans Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck also paid their respect to the holy relics during the ceremonyFollowing the ceremonial welcome Lord Buddhas sacred relics were escorted to Tashichho Dzongs Grand Kuenrey Hall in Thimphu where they were enshrined with traditional religious rituals according to the Ministry of Culture statement Speaking on the occasion Virendra Kumar expressed his deep sense of honour in leading the Indian delegation stating that this exposition strengthens the cultural and spiritual ties between India and Bhutan reinforcing the shared heritage of peace and compassion inspired by Lord BuddhaBhutan PM Tshering Tobgay expressed gratitude to the Indian government for bringing the sacred relics to Bhutan He noted that the concept of the festival was envisioned by Bhutans King as a symbol of global peace and harmony He commended the efforts of Indias Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation IBC calling the event a significant milestone in BhutanIndia relations He expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating the visit of Lord Buddhas sacred relics underscoring the deeprooted spiritual and cultural ties between the two nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/deeply-moved-by-warm-welcome-accorded-to-lord-buddhas-sacred-relics-in-bhutan-eam-jaishankar-647749.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 20:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-suspected-ogws-picked-up-in-sopore-many-booked--647577.html Srinagar Nov 8 JampK Police on Saturday claimed that they have picked up suspected Over Ground Workers OGWs during a massive crackdown in the Sopore Tehsil of Baramulla district while many have been booked under preventive detention laws Sopore police launched a massive crackdown on OGWs and terror associates and intensified preventive measures to dismantle the terror ecosystem claimed a senior police official He further claimed that a large number of suspected OGWs and sympathisers have been picked up for questioning from different areas of Sopore These individuals are being thoroughly interrogated to trace their linkages financial conduits and communication channels with handlers based in Pakistan he claimedThe senior official claimed that this action forms part of the polices sustained strategy to dismantle the terror ecosystem which provides funding logistics and local facilitation to active terrorists and crossborder handlers Many suspects have been booked and lodged in subjail under preventive detention laws while security proceedings have been initiated against others to prevent them from aiding or abetting antinational activities he saidThe official said that searches are continuing at multiple suspected locations across Baramulla district as teams work to identify and disrupt local support networks of terror outfitsHe also pointed out that the police have further enhanced technical and human surveillance to monitor potential sleeper cells sympathisers and online propagandists attempting to radicalise youth or spread extremist content in the areaThe ongoing crackdown is preventive in nature and aimed at protecting youth from extremist influence he said The official also emphasised that the operation will continue in the coming days with focused monitoring of terror associates and handlers networks ensuring that peace and normalcy are not disturbed by elements acting at the behest of foreign handlersThe districtwide joint operations are being carried out in close coordination with the Indian Army and CAPF units ensuring seamless synergy among all security forces in countering terrorism and its support structures he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-suspected-ogws-picked-up-in-sopore-many-booked--647577.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/hindu-society-at-its-peak-wants-to-unite-world-mohan-bhagwat-647611.html Bengaluru Nov 8 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday that Hindu society is at the height of its glory and always wants to unite the world Hindu society is in the prime of its glory We have always wanted to unite the world said the RSS chief while addressing a large gathering in Bengaluru as part of a twoday lecture series organised to commemorate the centenary of the RSSBhagwat pointed out that all Muslims and Christians are also descendants of the same ancestors adding that they may not know it or they may have been made to forget it but everyone else knows that they are Hindus That is what we are because Hindu is an inclusive word Those who live in Bharat who think respect and accept all diversities they are called Hindus Bhagwat saidHe added that this state of unity was achieved because our ancestors found a connection between the entire creation and humanity Though we appear separate and different we represent the same unity The supreme goal of every individual is to realise that unity and attain happiness because that happiness is everlasting This is what every Indian religion teaches he saidBhagwat said that if people read the Preamble of the Constitution they would find the same idea reflected there In this context our society has traditionally been called Hindu The Hindu society must be organised he saidAccording to Bhagwat there are four kinds of Hindus in society Firstly there are those who are proud to call themselves Hindus Secondly some say Yes we are Hindus but wonder what there is to be proud of Thirdly some know they are Hindus but do not admit it publicly for fear of losing votes or something similar Finally some have forgotten that they are Hindus he explainedIn an examination we answer the simpler questions first Likewise uniting the entire society is our mission and there is no such thing as an Ahindu Bhagwat saidBeing different does not make you separate All this is encompassed in the word Hindu Hindus have always said that everyone has their own path and that all paths must be respected he saidAccept others remain steadfast in your own way live together and progress together One need not quarrel just because the paths are different he appealedBhagwat addressed the questions raised about referring to Indian society as Hindu society Hindus are responsible for Bharat What is Bharat It is not a nation created by the British We are an ancient nation There may be many inhabitants but there is one culture For example when Babar invaded Punjab he massacred people Guru Nanak Ji was present then He wrote that Hindu women lost their Sheel honour and Muslim women also suffered greatly Why did he mention Muslim women Because they too were part of this land Bhagwat notedQuoting Sri Aurobindo he said It is Gods will that Sanatan Dharma should rise and Bharat must rise He concluded Being Hindu means being responsible for Bharat That is why organising Hindu society is essential because India is a Hindu nation This does not contradict anything we are doing today IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/hindu-society-at-its-peak-wants-to-unite-world-mohan-bhagwat-647611.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bharat-has-to-rise-establish-itself-as-nation-of-dharma-mohan-bhagwat-647638.html Bengaluru Nov 9 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS chief Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat has stated that Bharat must rise and establish itself as a nation of Dharma Addressing a lecture series commemorating the centenary of the RSS in Bengaluru on Saturday he said that nations around the world define their own swadharma They strive to create prosperity for their people and contribute to the betterment of humanityThis has to happen What has this got to do with 100 years of the Sangh The first step towards creating a Hindu society is creating awareness It is still incomplete We have to extend our reach So in this centenary year our first concern is to take our work to every village and every section of society he said while delivering his lecture in the second sessionWe see Hindu society as one homogeneous entity We have to reach every segment of diversity and organise Hindu society all of it all 142 crore people with so many religious denominations including some that came from outside in the course of history Bhagwat statedWe have started dialogues with those who do not consider themselves Hindu Some people say they are not Hindus but Hindavi Others say they are Indic people We know all these are synonyms he saidThe word Hindu is used because it denotes the essence the content Hindu is not restricted by any form it can apply to anyone We have to take the organisations work forward and create individuals who will live by these ideals Ideals alone are not enough they are like stars we can look up to them but can never reach them he statedWe have enough ideals but we need examples We want to create a network among people who are contributing in their own way to the country Our country is vast and we often dont know what is happening in different areas The media does not inform us of all the good that is taking place he opinedAt least forty times more good is happening in our country compared to the bad Therefore this is the time of good the time of bad has passed he saidThe Bharat of our dreams has to materialise but for that there must first be the right thinking We want to initiate nationwide deliberations and discussions From individual levels to policymaking this thinking and longterm planning must be present he insistedAll of us have been raised in the same colonial mindset As a society we have to work collectively to overcome it Society must act with goodwill harmony and positivity There is too much negative talk he saidWe are taking this message to caste and religious leaders at the block level encouraging them to think of the upliftment of weaker groups within their own communities No one should be able to create conflict within society This is part of our plan he statedUnfortunately there was no separateness in Bharat before the British came to raid Islam came with aggressors that is fine the aggressors went back but the Muslims who stayed here were Bharatiyas Assimilation took hold and progressed he notedBut during the reign of Aurangzeb he tried to reverse that process He eventually failed and the process of assimilation began again In 1857 Muslims and Hindus fought together against the British To bring solidarity cow slaughter was banned he statedThe Ram Janmabhoomi did not remain a dispute The Hindus and Muslims of Ayodhya decided together that it should belong to the Hindus Seeing this unity the British were alarmed They identified all the fault lines in our society and tried to widen them They did permanent damage so that this bickering would continue he saidNow we are independent But the remnants of those times still play a negative role The echoes of those differences are causing havoc We must sit together talk and resolve them he statedAll this should dawn on minds that for two centuries have been raised with a sense of separateness This was done deliberately to divide us If we forget this division will continue he saidWhy do these conflicts happen Either because the Hindu population decreases or because the Hindu bhaav spirit weakens We have to educate these sections too We have initiated such dialogues he saidWhat has happened has happened We are one people let us start afresh he appealedWhat is the life mission of a Hindu nation Bhagwat asked Swami Vivekananda said that every nation has a message to deliver and a mission to accomplish Bharat also has a mission to give Dharma to the worldWe are described as a Dharmaprana country Dharma is wrongly translated as religion Religion is different it has dos and donts ways to reach truth or God he saidThe truth is vast and magnificent and naturally there are many ways to reach it Dharma is the nature of things our duty It is also described as the middle path extremism is not allowed in Dharma All extremes are avoided in Dharma he statedDharma is also translated as discipline living life without disturbing others while looking within this is the essence of Buddhas Dharma Dharma also means that which sustains he saidAs a Bharatiya I say that if our country is to prosper we need Dharma But who really wants Dharma For that we must understand the worlds current situation The world has made much progress especially with the advent of science he statedEvery human endeavour is aimed at creating happiness In ancient times there were wars and wars continued The First World War destroyed many things The League of Nations was created to stop wars yet the Second World War still happened he saidThe United Nations continues to exist but wars continue as well Conflicts are ongoing The worlds arsenal can destroy ten such worlds This narrowness of vision seeing difference as separation is the problem There is much thinking yet old problems persist and new ones arise Bhagwat statedThere were some who denied God and others who said God is supreme Every ideology was tried and now people have realised that something was lacking When societies are kept under strict discipline individual liberties are suppressed he saidWhere the world has stopped we did not We faced no wars or aggressions because of the Himalayas he saidDharma is balance for everyone and everything Humans must learn to live and let go The way of Dharma must once again be given to the world for the world is tumbling he saidWe are one of the oldest nations We must educate humanity not by preaching but by practice Our ancestors did this They travelled across the world on foot They did not plunder or convert they shared knowledge and received knowledge in return The time has come again for us to do the same Mohan Bhagwat stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bharat-has-to-rise-establish-itself-as-nation-of-dharma-mohan-bhagwat-647638.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-bjp-leaders-sing-song-to-celebrate-150th-anniversary-of-vande-mataram-647420.html Gandhinagar Nov 7 A special program was organised in Gujarats Vadodara to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram The event presided over by BJP Vadodara Metropolitan President Jaiprakash Soni saw scores of BJP leaders and officers singing the national song en masse and also featured a special program Group Singing and Speech to celebrate the milestoneSenior BJP leaders including Raopura MLA Balkrishna Shukla the Mayor of Vadodara the Standing Committee Chairperson and a large number of party officials and workers were present at the eventAll of them took a pledge to promote national sentiments and embolden the Swadeshi resolution thereby encouraging the use of indigenous productsMLA Balkrishna Shukla speaking to IANS said Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed Vande Mataram on November 7 1875 to unite all Indians for the first time in independent India In 1896 Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore sang Vande Mataram at the Calcutta ConventionBJP Vadodara President Jaiprakash Soni said that the Vande Mataram celebrates and honours the Bharat MataPeople participated in the independence movement as this song brought them together for a common purpose Where will a better word be found to worship Bharat Mata at this time he saidSimilar events were held in other districts of Gujarat including the Dang District Collectors Office and the Rajkot Municipal CorporationRajkot Mayor Nayanaben Pedhadia speaking to IANS said Vande Mataram the national song was sung in unison by the officials and elected representatives at the municipalityStanding Committee Chairman Jaymin Thakor said that Vande Mataram is not a song but a scripture It was composed before India gained independence At the time of independence the song inspired the brave soldiers and warriorsThe events organised across Gujarat were aimed at promoting the national spirit and also indigenous productsOther events where events were organised included Surat Police Headquarters and BSF 176 Battalion Moti Chher IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-bjp-leaders-sing-song-to-celebrate-150th-anniversary-of-vande-mataram-647420.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/aarti-at-renuka-ji-lake-initiative-commendable-himachal-guv--646917.html Shimla Nov 5 Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Wednesday presided over the concluding ceremony of the International Shree Renuka Fair in Renukaji in Sirmaur district Speaking on the occasion the Governor lauded the initiative of organising the daily aarti at Devghat at the sacred Renuka Lake and said that this tradition must continue to preserve the rich cultural and spiritual heritage for future generations The devotion with which people visit this holy place is deeply inspiring May Lord Parshuram continue to bless this unwavering faith he saidThe Governor praised the district administration and the Shree Renukaji Development Board for introducing this new tradition and urged the local ashram residents to perform the aarti regularly He also called upon the people to protect their cultural heritage and appreciated the immense contribution of the people of Sirmaur in the defence of the nation This fair which is the confluence of faith and devotion holds a special place in the hearts of the people across the country he said The Governor appealed for collective efforts by the government and society to enhance the beauty of Renukaji and maintain its sanctity He urged the people especially the youth to stay away from drugs and contribute towards building a healthy and drugfree society Let us take a pledge to keep our villages safe and free from the menace of drugs he said Governor Shukla said fairs and festivals have for generations played a vital role in promoting Indias cultural identity As society advances towards progress and prosperity it is equally important to remain rooted in our moral and cultural values he emphasised A cultural programme was also presented The Governor distributed prizes for the best departmental exhibitions The Industry Department bagged the first prize followed by the Horticulture Department in second place and the Agriculture Department in third IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/aarti-at-renuka-ji-lake-initiative-commendable-himachal-guv--646917.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/stalin-distributes-enhanced-incentive-cheques-to-temple-training-school-students-646948.html Chennai Nov 5 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday distributed cheques to students of temple training schools run by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments HRampCE Department marking a significant increase in incentive amounts for both fulltime and parttime trainees A total of 363 students comprising 297 fulltime and 66 parttime trainees from 18 temple training schools across Tamil Nadu received the enhanced incentives under the latest revision announced in the 202526 State Budget The training schools functioning under various temples managed by the HRampCE Department include those offering Archaka priesthood training and related temple service courses Under the revised scheme fulltime trainees will now receive Rs 10000 while parttime trainees will receive Rs 5000 as a monthly incentive At the function held in Chennai the Chief Minister symbolically presented cheques to 10 students representing all institutions under the programme Tracing the evolution of the scheme officials said that in 2022 fulltime trainees were provided a modest Rs 1000 per month while parttime students received Rs 500 The following year 202223 the incentive was raised to Rs 3000 and Rs 1500 respectively In November 2023 coinciding with the centenary celebrations of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi the stipend was further enhanced to Rs 4000 for fulltime and Rs 2000 for parttime trainees as part of the governments efforts to encourage traditional temple education The present hike announced by Chief Minister Stalin during the 202526 Budget session represents the largestever revision in the history of temple training schools signalling the states commitment to nurturing young aspirants entering priestly and allied temple service vocations Officials from the HRampCE Department said the increase would benefit students undergoing training in Agama rituals temple administration and related disciplines ensuring they receive adequate financial support during their training period The enhanced incentive is aimed at promoting continuity in temple traditions while empowering youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue this sacred profession an official said The initiative also aligns with the governments broader mission to modernise temple management enhance inclusivity and ensure equal opportunities in the recruitment of Archakas and other temple functionaries IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/stalin-distributes-enhanced-incentive-cheques-to-temple-training-school-students-646948.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/you-are-hindus-pakistan-denies-entry-to-14-indian-pilgrims--646957.html New Delhi Nov 5  Fourteen Indian citizens who travelled to Pakistan as part of a large group of pilgrims for Guru Nanaks 556th birth anniversary celebrations were denied entry and turned back after officials reportedly refused to accept them allegedly saying they were Hindu and not Sikh  New Delhi Nov 5 Fourteen Indian citizens who travelled to Pakistan as part of a large group of pilgrims for Guru Nanaks 556th birth anniversary celebrations were denied entry and turned back after officials reportedly refused to accept them allegedly saying they were Hindu and not SikhThe pilgrims Pakistaniorigin Sindhi Hindus who later acquired Indian citizenship had joined around 2100 devotees cleared by Indias Home Ministry to visit Nankana Sahib the birthplace of Guru Nanak Pakistan had issued travel documents for roughly the same number of peopleOn Tuesday approximately 1900 pilgrims crossed the Wagah border the first civilian movement between the two nations since Operation Sindoor Indias military action in May following the Pahalgam terror attack However it is now confirmed that 14 people were forced to returnAccording to a report by NDTV Pakistani authorities told them You are Hindu you cant go with Sikh devoteesThe group which reportedly included pilgrims from Delhi and Lucknow walked back humiliated the report saidIn addition nearly 300 others who had independently applied for visas were stopped on the Indian side due to a lack of mandatory approval from the Home MinistrySenior Sikh leaders including Akal Takht representative Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj SGPC delegate Bibi Gurinder Kaur and DSGMCs Ravinder Singh Sweeta were among those who entered PakistanThe main Gurpurab ceremony is being held at Gurdwara Janamasthan about 80 km from Lahore During their 10day pilgrimage Indian Sikh devotees are scheduled to visit historic shrines including Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Farooqabad and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib KartarpurThe episode has unfolded amid persistent strain between New Delhi and Islamabad after the Pahalgam massacre in April which killed 26 mostly civiliansIndia has not yet issued an official condemnation of the incident involving the Hindu pilgrims but the development is likely to add to diplomatic friction during an already tense period IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/you-are-hindus-pakistan-denies-entry-to-14-indian-pilgrims--646957.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/varanasi-dazzles-in-divine-splendour-as-dev-deepawali-lights-up-ganga-646978.html New DelhiVaranasi Nov 5 The ghats of Varanasi turned into a celestial panorama on Wednesday evening as lakhs of diyas earthen lamps illuminated the banks of the river Ganga during the grand celebration of Dev Deepawali The divine spectacle often called Diwali of the Gods transformed this ancient Uttar Pradesh city into a shimmering sea of light awe and devotion On this occasion Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared breathtaking aerial images of the festivities on X with a caption Spectacular Dev Deepawali in KashiPM Modi represents the Varanasi constituency in the Lok Sabha He first won the seat in 2014 and is currently an MP for his third consecutive term after being reelected from there in the 2024 general electionsThe pictures showcased the ghats decorated in golden hues as thousands of devotees gathered in reverence while the night sky was painted with vibrant fireworksThe celebration held 15 days after Diwali the festival of lights marks the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon TripurasuraDevotees on this occasion light earthen lamps across all 88 ghats of Kashi offering prayers and witnessing cultural performances that highlight the citys spiritual grandeurFrom Rajghat to Assi Ghat every stretch along the riverbank was aglow with countless diyas creating a mesmerising reflection against the sacred GangaSeveral buildings and temples were adorned with intricate lighting while boats carrying pilgrims and tourists floated across the river offering a surreal view of illuminated KashiAuthorities had made extensive arrangements to manage the massive flow of visitors ensuring the smooth conduct of the rituals and safety of the crowdsDev Deepawali in Varanasi continues to attract devotees and tourists from across the country and abroad celebrating not just faith but the timeless connection between the Ganga and the spiritual soul of the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/varanasi-dazzles-in-divine-splendour-as-dev-deepawali-lights-up-ganga-646978.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 04:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/in-others-progress-lies-our-own-mahant-swami-maharajs-values-echo-at-jivan-utkarsh-mahotsav-647138.html Jabalpur Nov 6 The third day of Jivan Utkarsh Mahotsav Festival of Lifes Upliftment organised by BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha saw the atmosphere filled with inspiration devotion and profound life values The programme started with melodious devotional chants and kirtans hymns as sadhus and youths filled the environment with devotion through their heartfelt singing Following this a video presentation titled BAPS Sanstha Parichay was screened offering a brief introduction to the organisations global humanitarian services educational projects and spiritual activities Gnanvatsal Swamiji the keynote speaker said in his address True joy is found when we link our own development with the progress of others Through examples and inspiring anecdotes he explained that contributing to the upliftment of others is the noblest form of seva service Swamijis words awakened a new consciousness of selfdevelopment coexistence and service within the large assembly Subsequently a special video presentation titled Pioneer of Social Service Mahant Swami Maharaj was shown depicting his inspiring work rooted in compassion service and humanity Rakesh Singh Minister Public Works Department Madhya Pradesh who attended the program as the chief guest said The lamp of positivity that the BAPS organisation has lit in society through service and culture is an example worthy of emulation for all The Hindu temple built in Abu Dhabi where people can worship without hindrance is a great victory for Sanatan He said that the selflessness and humility in Mahant Swami Maharajs life are the epitome of true leadership His birth in Jabalpur is a matter of great pride for us He expressed his desire that a grand temple should be built in Jabalpur as well Gnaneshwar Swamiji further elaborated Life finds its true meaning only when an individual dedicates their abilities to the welfare of society abiding by the guidance of the Guru The Assembly then concluded with the felicitation of guests and the traditional aarti Thousands of devotees from Jabalpur and surrounding towns attended the event IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/in-others-progress-lies-our-own-mahant-swami-maharajs-values-echo-at-jivan-utkarsh-mahotsav-647138.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/surrendering-to-islamists-yunus-govt-in-bangladesh-cancels-plan-to-recruit-music-and-pe-teachers-646713.html Dhaka Nov 4 The Bangladesh government has cancelled its plan to create posts for music and Physical Education PE teachers in government primary schools weeks after facing criticism from several radical organisations local media reported on Tuesday Bangladeshs Ministry of Primary and Mass Education released a revised gazette on Sunday changing the Government Primary School Teachers Recruitment Rules 2025 Bangladeshbased The Daily Star reported The revised gazette did not include two new teaching positions which were mentioned in the earlier gazette released on August 28Additional Secretary of the ministrys School Division Masud Akhtar Khan stated A revised gazette has been issued While the earlier version listed four categories of teachers the new one includes only two The posts of assistant teachers for music and physical education are no longer includedHe refused to comment on whether the decision was taken after facing pressure from any particular group saying Please speak to the higher authorities about thatThe earlier gazette had mentioned two new assistant teacher positions for music and physical education along with other assistant teacher posts Educationists had welcomed the decision of the authorities to introduce music and physical education in schools calling it a longoverdue step towards encouraging creativity and allround learning at the primary levelHowever several Islamist organisations including HefazateIslam Islami Andolan Bangladesh JamaateIslami Khelafat Majlish Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan had criticised the decision of the authorities and demanded its withdrawalSince the collapse of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and Muhammad Yunus takeover as the Chief Advisor to the interim government Bangladesh seems to be regressing on multiple fronts including political freedom minority rights economic security and most significantly cultural secularism a report stated in OctoberHighlighting reports from human rights organisations minority advocacy groups and journalists it mentioned a disturbing rise in religious intolerance with secular symbols being targetted folk traditions suppressed and statues and murals integral to Bangladeshs cultural identity defaced or dismantledAccording to a report in Times of Oman the situation has led to a climate of fear and selfcensorship in the country while eroding the vibrant public culture that once embraced diversityData gathered by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council highlights 2442 instances of communal violence from August 2024 to mid2025 encompassing murders sexual assaults attacks on places of worship looting vandalism and property confiscations the report detailedIn just the first half of 2025 there were 258 incidents aimed at religious minorities 27 murders 59 assaults on places of worship and numerous homes and businesses were devastated The victims include men women and young people many of whom have been compelled to abandon their homes in terror it addedThe report stressed that several minority groups accused the Yunus administration of turning a blind eye to the attacks even when the perpetrators are knownWith radical factions like JamaateIslami reemerging in the public sphere there are growing concerns that the state is leaning towards appeasement or failing to curb extremist elements Although formal alliances remain unclear the notable rise in Islamist rhetoric the cancellation of secular cultural events and diminished protections for minority rights indicate a troubling shift it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/surrendering-to-islamists-yunus-govt-in-bangladesh-cancels-plan-to-recruit-music-and-pe-teachers-646713.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/103-gold-coins-found-beneath-centuries-old-temple-near-tns-javaddu-hills-646718.html Chennai Nov 4 A stunning discovery of 103 antique gold coins from a bygone era has come to light from an ancient Shiva temple near the Javvadu hills in Tamil Nadus Tiruvannamalai district police said on Tuesday The rare find was made at the historic Sivan temple in Kovilur village on Monday Workers engaged in the renovation of the sanctum sanctorum unearthed a mud pot buried beneath the temple floor When it was opened the pot revealed a glittering collection of gold coins neatly stacked and remarkably wellpreservedAccording to police the temple is believed to be several centuries old dating back to the reign of Chola King Rajaraja Cholan IIIThe ongoing renovation of the sanctums inner structure led to the unearthing of the hidden pot which was immediately reported to local authorities Officials from the Revenue Department and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments HRampCE Department soon reached the spot and took custody of the coinsThey have initiated steps to examine and preserve the treasure while further verification will be carried out to determine its historical origin and period Experts said the temple bears distinct features of late Chola architecture supporting the theory that it was constructed during the rule of Rajaraja Cholan III in the 13th century Historians believe the coins might belong to the late Chola or early Pandya era a time when gold currency was widely used in temple endowments and trade networks across south IndiaAuthorities clarified that no police case has been registered since the discovery occurred during authorised temple renovation workThe HRampCE Department is coordinating with archaeologists and numismatists to study the coins inscriptions minting patterns and metallic composition to trace their historical significance The discovery has generated great excitement among local residents and heritage enthusiasts who see it as a powerful reminder of Tamil Nadus rich temple legacy and the enduring prosperity of the Chola civilisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/103-gold-coins-found-beneath-centuries-old-temple-near-tns-javaddu-hills-646718.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-his-divine-light-keep-illuminating-our-planet-forever-pm-modi-extends-greetings-on-guru-nanak-jayanti-646746.html New Delhi Nov 5 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended greetings to the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti saying that his teachings are deeply inspiring Taking to his social media platform X PM Modi wrote The life and message of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji continue to guide humanity with timeless wisdom His teachings of compassion equality humility and service are deeply inspiring Greetings on his Parkash Purab May his divine light keep illuminating our planet foreverThe BJP also shared its wishes on social media posting Heartiest greetings on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji the founder and first Guru of SikhismUnion Home Minister Amit Shah conveyed his greetings as wellHe wrote on X Heartiest greetings on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji the founder of Sikhism who gave the message of peace love equality and humanity to the world and society While Guru Nanak Dev Ji declared devotion as the fundamental principle of life he also inspired people to face injustice and oppression fearlessly He initiated the langar tradition for social equality and paved the way for compassion and empathy by establishing dharamshalas His ideals guide human life in every situationBihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also extended greetings on Guru Nanak Jayanti and said On the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state and the country Guru Nanaks personality embodies the qualities of a philosopher yogi householder founder of a religion social reformer poet patriot and world brother He travelled extensively in all four directions to spread the sacred message of peace compassion and humanity Drawing inspiration from Guru Nanak Dev Jis teachings we should all resolve to work together to create a harmonious societyThe Congress Party also extended wishes writing on X Warm greetings on Guru Nanak Jayanti May the divine teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji inspire us to walk the path of truth equality and compassion Heartfelt wishes from the entire Congress family on this sacred occasionThe Shiromani Akali Dal SAD shared True Guru Nanak appeared The mist and darkness have disappeared and the world is filled with light Millions of greetings to humanity on the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism the world Guru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji On this holy day let us follow the path shown by Guru Sahib Ji and work for equality unity and the common good of allLieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha said Greetings on Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji His life amp message of equality compassion amp truth is an inspiration for all humanity Lets rededicate ourselves to the task of creating a just amp humane society amp practice revered Guru jis noble teachings in our daily livesGuru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with great devotion over three days In Gurudwaras an Akhand Path a continuous 48hour recitation of the Sikh holy scripture is organised On the eve of the festival a grand procession led by the Panj Pyaras the Five Beloved Ones is carried out during which the Sikh flag is displayed with reverence across Punjab and other statesOn the festival day devotees gather early to sing AsadiVar while priests recite sacred hymns and poems in Gurudwaras Later in the afternoon the langar community meal is prepared and shared among families friends and devotees The day concludes with the singing of holy hymns spreading joy devotion and a message of equality and unity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-his-divine-light-keep-illuminating-our-planet-forever-pm-modi-extends-greetings-on-guru-nanak-jayanti-646746.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-cm-participates-in-118th-birth-anniversary-celebration-of-dada-bhagwan-646655.html Morbi Nov 4 Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the grand celebration of the 118th birth anniversary of Dada Bhagwan held in Gujarats Morbi On the second day of the festival the Chief Minister joined devotees in offering prayers and performing aarti to Simandhar Swami and Dada Bhagwan praying for the wellbeing of allDuring the event CM Patel participated in satsang and prayer sessions attentively listening to the spiritual discourse Atma Gnan Pravachan delivered by Atmagnani Deepak The Chief Minister also offered floral tributes and performed rituals before taking blessings from Deepak who presented him with the book Gnani Purush Part 6 based on the life and teachings of Dada BhagwanThe celebration which began on November 3 will continue till November 9 featuring a series of devotional programmes spiritual discourses and community prayers Addressing the gathering Deepak shared insightful reflections on selfrealisation the nature of karma and consciousness liberation from worldly suffering and the role of awareness in an age driven by modern technology and artificial intelligenceThe event witnessed an overwhelming turnout of devotees and dignitaries including Minister of State for Labour Employment and Skill Development Kanti Amrutia Rajya Sabha MP Kesridevsinh Zala MLAs Durlabh Dethariya and Meghji Chavda former ministers Brijesh Merja and Mohan Kundariya District Panchayat President Hansaben Pareghi Collector KB Jhaveri Morbi Municipal Commissioner Swapnil Khare District Police Superintendent Mukesh Patel and leading community members such as Jayantibhai RajkotiaThe Chief Minister while offering prayers wished for peace harmony and true happiness for all living beings emphasising Dada Bhagwans message of selfknowledge inner purity and universal compassionDada Bhagwan born as Ambalal Muljibhai Patel in 1908 in Gujarat was a revered spiritual leader and the founder of the Akram Vignan Movement a unique path to instant selfrealisation without traditional rituals or renunciationKnown for his simplicity and compassion Dada Bhagwan emphasised the realisation of the Pure Self Shuddhatma as the key to liberation and inner peace Through his profound teachings on ego karma and awareness he inspired millions to lead lives rooted in humility truth and nonviolence His vision of Jagd Kalyan the spiritual upliftment of all continues to guide seekers worldwide through the Dada Bhagwan Foundation and his disciple Atmagnani Deepak Desai IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-cm-participates-in-118th-birth-anniversary-celebration-of-dada-bhagwan-646655.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-inaugurates-shanti-shikhar-hails-brahma-kumaris-as-global-peace-architects-645985.html Raipur Nov 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Brahma Kumaris majestic Shanti Shikhar Academy for Peaceful World a spiritual empowerment centre in Nava Raipur lauding the organisation as a living bridge between Indias ancient wisdom and the worlds quest for harmony Addressing thousands of whiteclad sisters and global delegates at the academy the PM traced his decadeslong bond with the movement and envisioned Shanti Shikhar as a future epicentre for universal peaceI have been fortunate to associate with you for several decades PM Modi began recalling his presence at the 2011 Future of Power summit in Ahmedabad and the 2013 Prayagraj gatheringI have observed your efforts seriouslywhere service outweighs words The affection of Janaki Devi and the spiritual rigour of every sister here fill me with gratitudeHe greeted the assembly with Om Shanti explaining Om means the God who created and the entire universe Shanti means the wish for world peace Your conduct is the greatest religion penance and knowledgeThe Prime Minister positioned the Brahma Kumaris as custodians of Indias soulWe see Shiva in every living being expanding the self to embrace the whole Selfcontrol leads to selfknowledge selfrealisation and ultimately selfpeace he said Your rituals end with prayers for world welfarethis confluence of faith and global good is our traditions essenceTurning to contemporary crises PM Modi highlighted Indias proactive roleWhenever the world faces disaster India reaches out as the most trusted partner Amid environmental threats we remain natures voice he assertedWe revere rivers as mother worship water and give back rather than exploit This is Save the Future concept for the worldHe linked Mission LiFE and the mantra of One Earth One Family to the Brahma Kumaris ethosInstitutions like Shanti Shikhar will energise India and connect millions to peace In every country I visit I meet Brahma Kumaristhis gives me belonging and strengthThe sprawling Shanti Shikhar built on 25 acres features meditation halls ecofriendly dormitories and solarpowered infrastructurePM Modi performed the ceremonial inauguration alongside Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Brahma Kumaris chief Dadi Ratan Mohini who gifted him a symbolic lotusAs the audience chanted Om Shanti PM Modi said Your spiritual power when words become deeds will guide humanity Shanti Shikhar is not just a buildingit is a movement for world peaceThe event part of Chhattisgarhs silver jubilee drew delegates from several countries reinforcing Indias softpower diplomacy through spirituality IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-inaugurates-shanti-shikhar-hails-brahma-kumaris-as-global-peace-architects-645985.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/terror-network-busted-in-rajasthan-5-detained-from-four-districts-646087.html Jaipur Nov 1 Rajasthans AntiTerrorist Squad ATS has detained five individuals from Jaipur Jodhpur Jalore and Karauli districts following intelligence inputs from the Intelligence Bureau IB officials said on Saturday The operation conducted early Friday morning exposed a suspected network linked to foreignbased terrorist organisations and illegal funding channels they saidFive individuals have been detained for suspected involvement in foreign funding They are being thoroughly interrogated and their digital devices are under forensic examination None have been formally arrested yet We are investigating the sources and motives of the overseas funders said Dinesh MN Additional Director General AntiTerrorist SquadAntiGangster Task ForceAn indepth investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the suspected terror funding network officials addedAccording to ATS officials the detained suspects were allegedly in contact with suspicious individuals abroad and were planning to travel overseasThey are also accused of providing financial support to terrorlinked groups through donations and covert funding networks officials saidSeveral mobile phones donation receipts and other incriminating materials were seized during the raidsAll five are currently being questioned in JaipurThose detained have been identified as Osama Umar from Sanchore Jalore Masood from Pipar Jodhpur Mohammad Ayub from Jodhpur city Mohammad Junaid from Karauli and Basir from JaipurSources said that Osama also known as Usman and his brother Ayub served as maulanas at local madrasasAyub has reportedly lived in the Bombay Housing Scheme area of Jodhpur for the past 1015 years and teaches at a madrassa in Chopasni villageMasood arrested from Pipar is originally from Barmer districtIn Jodhpur ATS officials detained Ayub Khan after seizing two mobile phones donation receipts and documents from his residenceA search in Pipar city for Masood initially failed as he had reportedly gone underground after sensing police actionHowever he was later apprehended and additional documents and phones were confiscatedSimilarly a raid at Jodhawas in Sanchore led to the detention of Osama alias Anwar Khan a resident of Ramsar village in Barmer who serves as a mosque cleric in SanchoreSenior officials confirmed that all five detainees are suspected of channeling foreign funds to support radical activitiesThe recovered digital devices are undergoing forensic analysis to trace communication and monetary links IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/terror-network-busted-in-rajasthan-5-detained-from-four-districts-646087.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-radhakrishnan-to-visit-varanasi-tomorrow-645684.html New Delhi Oct 30 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan will undertake a oneday visit to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Friday and offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple an official said During the visit the Vice President will chair the inauguration of the new Satram Building at Sigra Varanasi as the Chief Guest along with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath the official said in a statementThe Sri Kasi Nattukkottai Nagara Satram Managing Society has constructed the 10storey Satram with 140 rooms for Rs 60 crores This is the second Satram built by the Society in Varanasi and is aimed at serving visiting devotees as well as encouraging younger generations to visit the holy cityThis initiative reflects the ageold spiritual and cultural bond between Kashi and Tamil Nadu symbolising the deep KashiTamil connect in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha BharatFollowing the inauguration the Vice President will visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and offer prayersEarlier Radhakrishnan concluded his visit to Tamil Nadu on Thursday after attending a series of events in Coimbatore Tiruppur Madurai and Ramanathapuram The visit took place from October 28 to 30On the final day of his visit today the Vice President visited Pasumpon in Ramanathapuram District and paid rich tributes to the revered leader Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar on the occasion of his jayanti and Guru PoojaThe VicePresident said that Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar was a great warrior fearless fighter revered saint and true patriot who dedicated his life to the nation and its peopleHe described Muthuramalinga Thevar as a devoted follower of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who embodied courage sacrifice and patriotism in thought and action The VicePresident noted that Muthuramalinga Thevar was a leader for all communities and faithsThe Vice President said he felt privileged to have participated in Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Jayanthi and Guru Pooja for the past 25 years and expressed immense happiness to once again be part of this years celebrations during his maiden visit to Tamil Nadu after assuming officeHe added that Muthuramalinga Thevars legacy will forever live in the hearts of the people IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-radhakrishnan-to-visit-varanasi-tomorrow-645684.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/hopeful-my-wife-usha-becomes-christian-us-vp-vance--645696.html New York Oct 30 US Vice President JD Vance says that he hopes his wife Usha a Hindu would become a Christian like him but if she doesnt it wont be a problem for him because God has given everybody freewill In a candid discussion of family matters and faith on Wednesday Vance asked Ill say now in front of 10000 of my closest friends do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by ChurchYeah I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way but if she doesnt then God says everybody has free will and so that doesnt cause a problem for me he saidVance was speaking at a rally of the Turning Point movement in Oxford Mississippi when a woman of Indian origin asked him about the familys interreligious dynamicsTurning Point was founded by Charles Kirk a conservative Christian activist who was assassinated last monthHe said that reconciling religious differences also mattered in marriages between people of different Christian sects or between atheists and believersEverybody has to come to their own arrangement here he said The way that weve come to our arrangement is shes my best friend We talked to each other about this stuff So we decided to raise our kids ChristianHe added The only advice I can give is you just got to talk to the person that God has put you with and youve got to make those decisions as a family unitVance said that when he met Usha at Yale University he was an agnostic or atheistHis wife he said thats what I think she would have considered herself as wellShe grew up in a Hindu family but not a particularly religious family in either direction he saidVance gradually returned to his Christian roots in the Protestantism he grew up in but in a move away from the sects that dominate President Donald Trumps he converted to the Catholic sect three years ago and is an ardent observer of that churchSome Christian fundamentalists have expressed reservations about his membership in the Catholic Church and his marriage to a HinduVance said that his wife comes to church on Sundays with the rest of the family and Usha is closer to the priests who baptised me than maybe I amThey talk about this religious stuff he addedOn religious freedom and diversity he said The most one of the most important Christian principles is that you respect free willEarlier he stressed that real Christianity believes in freedom of religion because of the Godgiven everyone the freedom to choose whatever path they wantHe said that the moves by Republican states and leaders to introduce prayers and discussions of Christianity did not violate the Constitution because they did not force everyone to pray and the constitutional ban was only creating an official government church as some states had at Independence IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/hopeful-my-wife-usha-becomes-christian-us-vp-vance--645696.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-radhakrishnan-to-visit-varanasi-today-645700.html New Delhi Oct 30 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan will undertake a oneday visit to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Friday and offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple an official said During the visit the Vice President will chair the inauguration of the new Satram Building at Sigra Varanasi as the Chief Guest along with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath the official said in a statementThe Sri Kasi Nattukkottai Nagara Satram Managing Society has constructed the 10storey Satram with 140 rooms for Rs 60 croresThis is the second Satram built by the Society in Varanasi and is aimed at serving visiting devotees as well as encouraging younger generations to visit the holy cityThis initiative reflects the ageold spiritual and cultural bond between Kashi and Tamil Nadu symbolising the deep KashiTamil connect in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha BharatFollowing the inauguration the Vice President will visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and offer prayersEarlier Radhakrishnan concluded his visit to Tamil Nadu on Thursday after attending a series of events in Coimbatore Tiruppur Madurai and Ramanathapuram The visit took place from October 28 to 30On the final day of his visit today the Vice President visited Pasumpon in Ramanathapuram District and paid rich tributes to the revered leader Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar on the occasion of his jayanti and Guru PoojaThe VicePresident said that Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar was a great warrior fearless fighter revered saint and true patriot who dedicated his life to the nation and its peopleHe described Muthuramalinga Thevar as a devoted follower of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who embodied courage sacrifice and patriotism in thought and action The VicePresident noted that Muthuramalinga Thevar was a leader for all communities and faithsThe Vice President said he felt privileged to have participated in Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Jayanthi and Guru Pooja for the past 25 years and expressed immense happiness to once again be part of this years celebrations during his maiden visit to Tamil Nadu after assuming office IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-radhakrishnan-to-visit-varanasi-today-645700.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/serving-cow-everyones-moral-responsibility-says-haryana-cm-on-gopashtami-645641.html Chandigarh Oct 30 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday said cow devotees must lead a public awareness campaign for the protection of cows as serving them is everyones moral responsibility He appealed to the people not to abandon cows on roads and to actively participate in efforts to make gaushalas cow shelters selfreliantHe also urged the residents to use products made from cow dung and cow urine The Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 21 lakh from his discretionary fund to Shri Krishna Gaushala in Karnal where he was speaking at the Gopashtami celebrationsExtending greetings on Gopashtami he said this sacred day of the Indian Sanatan tradition connects people with culture brotherhood and compassionGopashtami is not merely a festival but a symbol of kindness service and a sense of dutyCM Saini said the cow holds both social and spiritual significance and has always been associated with wealth and prosperity In ancient times a persons wealth was measured by the number of cows they ownedAccording to mythology Kamadhenu the divine cow was one of the 14 precious gems that emerged from the churning of the ocean by gods and demonsAnother legend narrates that when Lord Shri Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain to protect the cowherds Lord Indra on the eighth day sought his refuge Indra then performed the abhishek anointing of Lord Krishna with Kamadhenu and bestowed upon him the title of Govind Since then the eighth day is celebrated as GopashtamiThe Chief Minister said the cow is considered a divine and spiritual being and is revered as a motherCows milk is regarded as equivalent to nectar Scientific studies have proven that the milk of indigenous desi cows is highly beneficial for health and is considered as nutritious as mothers milkCM Saini said the government has taken several initiatives for the development of gaushalas protection of cattle and promotion of natural farmingEleven years ago the Gau Seva Aayog received only Rs 2 crore in grants but after the BJP government came to power this amount has continuously increasedThe government has now allocated Rs 600 crore for cow protection and promotion He said in 2014 there were 215 registered gaushalas in the state housing 175 lakh cattle while today there are 686 gaushalas with over four lakh cattleThe process of purchasing 800 erickshaws for gaushalas is underway The government is also providing electricity to gaushalas at Rs 2 per unit and stamp duty on land registration for gaushalas has been abolishedHe said strict laws have been enacted to ensure the safety of cows There is a provision for 10 years of imprisonment for cow slaughter and seven years for cow smuggling he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/serving-cow-everyones-moral-responsibility-says-haryana-cm-on-gopashtami-645641.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 19:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pak-afg-trade-accusations-while-ignoring-isis-k-threat-raising-global-alarm-645657.html New Delhi Oct 30 The presence of Islamic State ISISK fighters along the volatile Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan posing a grave threat to the neighbourhood including India has been accepted by the respective administrations but with a narrative that suits individual purposes The recent killings of ISISK members and socalled commanders in the region have once again raised international concerns while both countries are claiming to be the target of such elements The global community including the United Nations has been raising its concerns over the existence of such elements along the porous border across some inhospitable mountainous terrains Recent spurt in hostility with sporadic armed skirmishes and frequent raids coupled with renewed debate over the Durand Line itself has further worsened the situation A longterm truce effort brokered by regional players failed after Islamabad and Kabul continued to stick to their stand of no compromise on their respective demands Thus instead of a combined coordinated operation on terror elements along the border the neighbours are targeting issues at a local level while adopting a narrative suited to their own political ends Quoting security sources Afghanistans news agency reported on October 29 that Nusrat also known as Pahlawan Musa and Abu Zar one of the key figures in ISISK was killed in Peshawar The report claimed that he reportedly played a role in planning attacks in Kabul during 2022 and 2023 and led the groups Pahlawan centre in Pakistan It is alleged that while Islamabad consistently claim that no groups such as ISIS operate within their territory recent developments suggest that ISISKhorasan still maintains safe havens and active networks in Pakistan Meanwhile Pakistan highlighted the killing of Asim Baloch a senior ISISK commander along with a Tajik associate in Khuzdar Balochistan alleging the terror groups connection with the Baloch uprising Such reports also emphasised foreign connections of the ISISK especially with recruits from countries in Central Asia trying to spread terror in Pakistan allegedly with Afghan Taliban support Reportage has added that areas within Pakistani territory like Peshawar Karachi and Balochistan are being covertly used as transit or operational hubs for ISISK activities Asim Baloch was reported to be from the Mastung district in Balochistan who fled after Pakistani security operations targeted ISIS hideouts in the district Reports added that he was killed by unidentified gunmen in Khuzdar along with a Tajik national who had recently joined ISISK and was living with him Kabul outlets said that the report of Asim Balochs death in early October came a day after another senior ISIS official known as Hasan was also killed in Karachi emphasising the groups deep roots in Pakistan These claimed that Hasan originally from Peshawar was known as a facilitator of the groups attacks inside Afghanistan Focusing on the regional lawandorder and counterterrorism angle reports quoting Pakistani sources suggested these killings were part of a broader crackdown on ISISK operatives Afghan media presented the killings as confirmation that ISISK leadership and foreign fighters remain active and mobile in Pakistan stressing the crossborder threat These dispatches often quote military analysts and experts warning about Pakistans role or inaction while Pakistani stories place more on local security sources and investigative reporting Differing national narratives complicate bilateral cooperation and intelligence sharing when both sides need to adopt a common framework for investigation and counterterrorism response Continued presence of ISIS K leadership or facilitators inside Pakistan suggests a persistent crossborder threat to not only Afghanistan but also poses a grave challenge to regional stability Additionally the reported involvement of foreign recruits underscores ISIS Ks transnational recruitment and operational reach in Central and South Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pak-afg-trade-accusations-while-ignoring-isis-k-threat-raising-global-alarm-645657.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 20:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/madrassa-education-in-pakistan-deepens-inequality-nurtures-extremism-report-645682.html Islamabad Oct 30 Pakistans madrassa education embodies a troubling paradox offering refuge and religious instruction to the poor while simultaneously nurturing radicalism deepening inequality and allowing abuse a report said on Thursday It added that although madrassa education remains an internal policy matter the international community has a deep concern in ensuring that Pakistan upholds its obligations in the education sector and dismantles institutions that act as breeding grounds for extremismIn a nation as complex and divided as Pakistan the schism between its two educational systems mainstream secular institutions and religious seminaries known as madrassas has evolved into a deeply contentious issue This divide transcends curriculum and pedagogy it reflects broader social economic and political fault lines that shape the countrys future a report in European Times detailedAccording to the report madrassas have often been accused of fostering extremist ideologies that run counter to Pakistans national interests and global principles of peace and toleranceThe 2005 Red Mosque siege in Islamabad brought these concerns into sharp focus A madrassa affiliated with the mosque declared war on the state took hostages and demanded the imposition of Sharia law The military response left over 100 people dead and marked a turning point in Pakistans relationship with religious schools Critics began referring to madrassas as jihad factories and even former President Pervez Musharraf faced death threats for his role in the crackdown it stressedThe report highlighted a recent statement by Pakistani Defence Minister Khwaja Asif stating that As far as Madrassas or Madrassa students are concerned theres no doubt they are our second line of defence the youngsters who are studying there When the time comes they will be used as needed 100 per cent was widely viewed as an acknowledgement of Pakistans complicity in promoting radicalismSuch rhetoric it said strengthens the perception that madrassas function not merely as centres of learning institutions but as ideological pipelines for extremismThe report stressed that madrassas not only contribute to radicalisation but also perpetuate socioeconomic inequality Their curriculum remains heavily centred on religious instruction with minimal attention to secular subjects including mathematics science or technologyDisturbingly madrassas have also come under scrutiny for widespread abuse particularly sexual violence Numerous reports have surfaced in recent years detailing cases of exploitation often involving vulnerable children from financially struggling families These children placed in madrassas by parents who view them as safe havens are sometimes subjected to horrific abuse by individuals in positions of authority Many madrassas have been accused of shielding abusers and societal silence has allowed the problem to persist the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/madrassa-education-in-pakistan-deepens-inequality-nurtures-extremism-report-645682.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ancient-chola-era-sculptures-unearthed-near-villupuram-village-in-tn-645161.html Chennai Oct 28 In a remarkable archaeological discovery a set of stone sculptures dating back nearly 1000 years to the Chola period has been found near Kooteripattu in Villupuram district The ancient artefacts identified during a recent field survey by historian Senguttuvan of Villupuram were located in and around Alagramam village a site already known for its historical significanceThe findings include intricately carved images of Vaishnavi Devi Kaumari and a Buddhist figure each believed to date to around the 10th century CE Experts say the discovery sheds new light on the regions religious diversity and the artistic excellence that flourished under the CholasThe halfburied sculpture of Vaishnavi Devi was discovered at the Chekkadi Street Junction The goddess is depicted seated gracefully her four arms bearing distinct attributes The front hands are in the abhaya mudra and resting on her thigh while the rear hands hold a conch and discus symbols associated with Lord Vishnus divine powerThe figures detailed carving and serene expression reflect the stylistic precision of early medieval Tamil art Nearby on the premises of the Chelliamman temple another rare sculpture of Kaumari was unearthedShe is shown seated with one leg folded and the other hanging down adorned with a warriors chain and ornate jewelleryThe figures posture and detailing highlight the influence of Chola craftsmanship and the iconographic traditions of the Sapta Matrikas Seven Mother GoddessesAdding further significance to the find a Buddhist sculpture depicting Avalokiteshvara the Bodhisattva of compassion was located along Jain temple streetThe figure seated under a fiveheaded serpent points to the historical coexistence of Buddhist and Jain traditions in Villupuram Senior epigraphist Vijay Venugopal noted that the discovery confirms the oncevibrant spread of Buddhism in the regionArchaeologist Sreedharan has verified that all the sculptures belong to the Chola period and were likely part of a nowvanished Shiva temple complexHistorian Senguttuvan urged immediate steps for proper preservation and documentation revealing that a halfburied inscribed stone slab was also found nearbyHe appealed to the Archaeological Department and local authorities to safeguard the site for future research and conservation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ancient-chola-era-sculptures-unearthed-near-villupuram-village-in-tn-645161.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/people-in-mauritius-australia-celebrate-chhath-puja-with-vibrant-festivities-645201.html Port Louis Oct 28 Chhath Puja was celebrated across Mauritius and Australia on Tuesday with utmost devotion and festivities as people marked the conclusion of the fourday auspicious festival One of the most significant Hindu festivals Chhath Puja is primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities worldwideIndian High Commissioner to Mauritius Anurag Srivastava on Tuesday joined in the Chhath Mahaparv celebrationThe event organised by the Swastikam Foundation in Mauritius was attended by Mauritian President Dharambeer Gokhool Members of Parliament and several other dignitariesAddressing the event Srivasata underscored the Indian governments efforts to have Chhath Puja included in UNESCOs Intangible Cultural Heritage listHe also emphasised the festivals role in promoting environmental sustainability gender participation and social inclusionMeanwhile in Australias Melbourne the Indian diaspora came out to celebrate the auspicious occasionThe Indian Consul General in Melbourne Sushil Kumar local dignitaries including MP Lee Tarlamis and community members participated in the vibrant Chhath Puja celebrations and paid homage to the Sun GodThe event featured special cultural performances by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations ICCRsponsored troupe led by Nitu Kumari Nootan showcasing the rich traditions of Bihar Jharkhand and Uttar PradeshAccording to the Hindu calendar Chhath Puja falls on the sixth day Shashthi Tithi of the Kartik months Shukla Paksha usually occurring six days after Diwali The celebration spans four days beginning with Nahay Khay and concluding with Usha Arghya the offering of prayers to the rising sunThe festival commences with Nahay Khay October 25 when devotees take a holy dip and prepare a simple meal On the second day Kharna October 26 a daylong fast from morning to evening is observed and later concluded with offerings of rasiya sweet porridge and roti The third day marks Sandhya Arghya when the nirjala vrat fast without water begins continuing until the early hours of the fourth day Usha ArghyaChhath Puja is believed to have originated in ancient times According to legend Lord Rama and Goddess Sita performed the first Chhath Puja after their return to Ayodhya to seek blessings from the Sun God for prosperity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/people-in-mauritius-australia-celebrate-chhath-puja-with-vibrant-festivities-645201.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-yogi-welcomes-guru-charan-yatra-says-sikh-gurus-contribution-in-indias-heritage-unforgettable-645255.html Lucknow Oct 28 The Charan Suhawe Guru Charan Yatra of sacred Jode Sahib a profound symbol of the Sikh communitys faith received a rousing welcome in the capital on Tuesday Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath welcomed the Yatra in Lucknow and said that the Guru tradition has given India the ideals of service sacrifice and national protectionHe emphasised that the Sikh Gurus contribution in building Indias heritage has been instrumental and unforgettable and it remains our collective duty to preserve this spiritual heritage and pass on its ideals to future generationsUnion Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was also present on the occasionThe Chief Minister heard the Guruvani during a special ceremony at the Yahiyaganj Gurudwara and honoured the Yatra members by tying turbans on their heads In return the Gurudwara Committee greeted him with a robe and a mementoThe Chief Minister addressing the gathering said The Yatra reconnects people with the glorious Guru tradition that gave India a new direction in culture courage and sacrificeExpressing gratitude to Union Minister Puri CM Yogi said This Yatra began on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Maharaj It is not merely a spiritual journey but a moving tribute that inspires renunciation sacrifice and devotion to the nationHe said the Sikh Gurus contribution to Indias eternal tradition is unforgettableFrom Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and his four Sahibzadas their supreme sacrifices to protect religion humanity and the nation continue to inspire generations the UP CM statedHe added that the Yatra is not just a remembrance of the past but a guiding light for the present and future calling upon all devotees to carry forward this message of national unity and spiritual awakeningNotably the Yatra is associated with the Jode Sahib of the tenth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur both of whom are considered the most sacred emblems of Sikh devotion IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-yogi-welcomes-guru-charan-yatra-says-sikh-gurus-contribution-in-indias-heritage-unforgettable-645255.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-bulls-trigger-boiling-oil-horror-at-bageshwar-dham-toddler-burned-vendor-injured-645290.html Chhatarpur Oct 28 A threeyearold boy Raghav sustained severe burns when scalding oil accidentally poured over him after two fighting bulls rammed a samosa handcart at Bageshwar Dham in Madhya Pradesh The chaotic incident in Bamitha police jurisdiction also injured the female vendor but authorities have dismissed earlier media claims of a heroic grandmothers intervention Speaking to IANS Bamitha police station incharge and investigating officer Ashish Shrotiya clarified the sequenceThe child was playing near the woman vendors handcart Suddenly two bulls emerged from nowhere locked horns and charged into the cart This toppled the cauldron spilling boiling oil onto Raghav and the lady owner he said He ruled out reports that the boy plunged headlong into the vat or that his grandmother pulled him out suffering hand burns herself Raghavs father Brijraj Vaishnav from Kishangarh in Rajasthans Ajmer district had brought the family including wife and son for darshan at the iconic Balaji Maharaj shrine the office said Postprayers they paused at the bustling stall inside the temple complex where fresh samosas sizzled amid devotional fervour Eyewitnesses recounted the evening turning nightmarish as the stray bulls common in rural temple areas erupted into a territorial brawl around 6 PM scattering pilgrims and upending carts in a ministampede Raghavs cries echoed through the chaos Shrotiya said identifying the injured vendor as 55yearold Lakshmi Devi the handcart owner not the childs grandmother as initially circulated No family member attempted a rescue from the oil the spill occurred purely from the impact Onlookers quickly alerted temple security and an ambulance from the Dhams facility arrived swiftly Both victims were rushed to Chhatarpur District Hospitals burn ward Contradicting earlier grim assessments Shrotiya said Raghavs condition is stable and improving He received prompt treatment full recovery is expected soon Details on Lakshmi Devis injuries remain limited but she is under treatment Speaking to IANS Roshan Dwivedi doctor on duty at Chhatarpur district hospital said The boy is out of danger he did not suffer serious burn injuries It does not seem he plunged into the cauldron The woman is also treated for minor burn injuriesAn official said that police have inspected the site taken statements and launched a probe into potential negligence particularly unsecured animals amid heavy crowds The bulls werent restrained properlylikely agitated by noise Shrotiya noted No arrests have been made but enhanced safety measures including animal control and vendor zoning are under urgent review at the Dham Founded by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri Bageshwar Baba the site draws massive devotees for Hanuman rituals IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-bulls-trigger-boiling-oil-horror-at-bageshwar-dham-toddler-burned-vendor-injured-645290.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/patna-gears-up-for-chhath-mahaparva-78-ghats-60-artificial-ponds-ready-for-devotees-645146.html Patna Oct 27 The bathing ghats of Ganga and ponds in Bihars capital Patna are all set for the grand celebration of Chhath Mahaparva the festival of devotion and purity dedicated to Surya Sun god and Chhathi Maiya The first Arghya offering to the setting Sun will be performed on Monday evening under the Purvashada constellation while the second Arghya will be offered to the rising Sun on Tuesday morning during the Uttarashada constellation This year devotees in Patna City will offer prayers at 78 ghats with 60 artificial ponds also prepared to ensure smooth conduct of rituals and to prevent overcrowding at the Ganga ghatsAccording to Pandit Ram Narayan Shastri it is considered auspicious to offer prayers to the setting Sun half an hour before sunset and to the rising Sun just after it turns redOn Tuesday morning auspicious yogas such as Ubhayachar and Amalakriti will further enhance the significance of the festivalOn Sunday the second day of the Chhath festival devotees observed the Kharna Puja with devotion and reverenceAfter sunset they consumed prasad ritual food offering made of uncooked rice Ganga water milk jaggerybased kheer flat bread and bananas served on banana leavesThis marked the beginning of their 36hourlong waterless fastThe Patna district administration has made elaborate arrangements for security and crowd management and as many as 187 Bluetoothenabled cameras have been installed at 35 major ghats to ensure realtime monitoring of the situationOverall Chhath celebrations are being observed at 550 ghats across the district representing the traditions of 444 communitiesMedical teams including physicians and health researchers have been stationed at all primary health centres in both urban and rural areas to handle any medical emergenciesAcross Bihar a wave of devotion and enthusiasm can be seenThe Deo Surya Temple in Aurangabad and the Ular Sun Temple in Patna district are witnessing heavy footfallIn total arrangements have been made at 8500 Chhath ghats statewideSpecial instructions have been issued to the National Disaster Response Force NDRF and State Disaster Response Force SDRF who are deployed at sensitive locations to ensure devotees safetyThe Patna Municipal Corporation has also taken charge of cleaning lighting barricading dangerous ghats and setting up medical campsAuthorities have appealed to devotees to remain cautious secure their belongings and avoid unsafe or slippery areas near the riverbanks IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/patna-gears-up-for-chhath-mahaparva-78-ghats-60-artificial-ponds-ready-for-devotees-645146.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/former-cricket-captain-srikkanth-makes-maiden-visit-to-mahakaleshwar-645147.html Ujjain Oct 27 Former Indian cricket captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth participated in the worldfamous Bhasma Aarti at Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain on Monday morning He had travelled specially from Chennai to offer prayers to Lord Mahakal for the happiness peace and prosperity of people in India and across the world This was Srikkanths maiden visit to the revered shrineAccompanied by his family and friends he took part in the sacred ritual conducted by priests who performed the traditional worshipDeeply moved by the experience Srikkanth said The darshan of Lord Mahakal and the Bhasma Aarti was truly amazing Our entire family feels blessed to be part of this divine moment Everything will happen good for everyone in India and the worldHe also commended the temple management for the extensive arrangementsShri Mahakaleshwar Temple one of the twelve Jyotirlingas is globally known for its unique Bhasma Aarti which begins around 4 am every day and involves offering ashes to Lord ShivaOnline booking is mandatory for darshan particularly for the Bhasma Aarti The recent opening of the second phase of the Mahakal Lok Corridor has significantly improved facilities for devoteesSrikkanths spiritual visit coincided with the beginning of the first Sawari of Kartik Maas on October 27 allowing devotees two opportunities for darshan during the dayThe former cricket openers presence added a touch of celebrity devotion to the sacred occasion drawing attention to the temples growing appeal among public figuresIn a separate development following a recent clash among priests at the temple a threemember committee has been formed The involved priests have been barred from using the VIP gallery for a few daysCCTV cameras will now monitor access to the gallery to ensure proper usage and verify referencesMeanwhile Kartik Agahan Sawari which is the ceremonial procession of Lord Mahakal is also starting on Monday The procession held annually on the second Monday of the Kartik Hindu month will feature the deity in five divine forms carried through the streets of the temple town IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/former-cricket-captain-srikkanth-makes-maiden-visit-to-mahakaleshwar-645147.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bipartisan-group-of-us-congressmen-express-concern-that-university-event-could-fuel-anti-hindu-prejudice-645064.html New York Oct 27 A bipartisan group of members of US Congress has expressed concern that an event at a university here could fuel further prejudice against Hindus at a time when Hindu temples have been targets of violence In a letter addressed to William Tate the President of Rutgers University in New Jersey the Congressmen said on Sunday that the event scheduled for Monday misrepresents a diverse and peaceful and religious community and will have impacts on Hindus on college campuses and around the countryThe signers of the letter are Democrats Sanford Bishop from Georgia Shri Thanedar from Illinois and Suhas Subramanyam from Virginia and Republican Rich McCormick also from GeorgiaThe organisers of the Rutgers event titled Hindutva in America A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism say it is based on a report called Hindutva in America An Ethnonationalist Threat to Equality and Religious PluralismThe moderator is Sahar Aziz a law professor and the featured speaker is Audrey Truschke a history professor who is a defender of Aurangzeb the extremist Muslim ruler of the Mughal lineage who ordered the execution of Guru Teg Bahadur the revered Sikh saint and persecuted Hindus and ParsisThe Congressmen made clear that they did not want the event banned at the New Jersey state governmentfunded universityInstead they said we urge Rutgers to ensure that its planned programming promotes freedom of speech and expression but not single out and target Hindu American individuals and organisationsThe Congressmen referred to the series of violent attacks on Hindu temples including the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Indiana and the Shri Radha Krishna Temple in UtahIn this climate we are concerned that the rhetoric of the report may fuel further prejudice particularly impacting Hindu students on college campuses who may feel unfairly targeted or unsafe the Congressmen saidMoreover they pointed out the report said that law enforcement politicians and civil society groups should cease partnership with USbased Hindu nationalist groupsIn this context they said they were especially concerned by the reports references to specific Hindu community organisations and are concerned about the implications of conflating religiousbased organisations with nationalist groupsAmong the Hindu civil rights groups the report targeted are the Hindu American Foundation HAF and Coalition of Hindus of North America CoHNAIt said When we stand up against such bigotry we are labelled as Hindutva extremistsMany US campuses have become hotbeds of religious bigotry led by leftist groups and IslamistsPresident Donald Trumps administration has taken action against campus intolerance focused on Jewish students and faculty The same groups often are involved in antiHindu campaignsHAF in an open letter to Rutgers made clear that it did not want the event banned but asked the universitys administration to clarify that invited speakers or conference content reflects the organisers views and dissociate publicly from itWe seek clarity in light of the inaccuracy gravity and spuriousness of numerous claims the report makes about HAF and other Hindu American advocacy organisations it saidCoHNA said that in the past two weeks it has heard from students who are feeling vulnerable and concerned that their religion and identity are at risk simply for being a Hindu on campus IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bipartisan-group-of-us-congressmen-express-concern-that-university-event-could-fuel-anti-hindu-prejudice-645064.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 06:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/i-respectfully-bow-down-to-devotees-observing-fast-pm-modi-on-chhath-puja-kharna-644992.html New Delhi Oct 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wished the people on the second day of auspicious Chhath Puja Kharna and prayed for the wellbeing of all The second day of Chhath Puja is known as Kharna During this day devotees fast from sunrise to sunset refraining from both food and water The fast is broken only after making offerings to the Sun God at sunsetIn a post on X PM Modi said Heartfelt greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Chhath Parvas Kharna Puja I respectfully bow down to all the devotees observing the fastOn this sacred occasion which symbolises faith and restraint there is a tradition of partaking in satvik prasad prepared with jaggerybased kheer My wish is that on this ritual Chhathi Maiya blesses everyone with her grace he addedThe Prime Minister also shared a song Sukh leke ugayi Dukh leke dubayi by Bihari singer Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua as well as a Chhath Geet titled Sona Satkuniya Ho Dinanaath by Maithili ThakurKharna signifies purification prompting devotees to fast from sunrise to sunset to cleanse their bodies The fast is concluded in the evening with a special prasad offering of jaggery rice puddingConsuming the prasad marks the official start of the 36hour waterless fast that is observed until the final day of the festivalEarlier in the day Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to X and extended greetings to the peopleThe Kharna holds utmost sacred significance in Chhath Puja It is from Kharna that the fast worship and adoration of Chhathi Maiya beginMay this sacred occasion become a means of welfare in the lives of all of you he saidUnion Health Minister JP Nadda also extended best wishes to the devotees on the auspicious occasion and said I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all the devoted observers of the Kharn ritual on the second day of Chhath Puja the great festival of gratitude towards nature and worship of the Sun May Lord Surya Narayan and Chhathi Maiya bestow upon you all happiness prosperity and excellent health IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/i-respectfully-bow-down-to-devotees-observing-fast-pm-modi-on-chhath-puja-kharna-644992.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 09:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/science-guided-by-faith-can-achieve-any-goal-gujarat-cm-patel-645025.html Ahmedabad Oct 26 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday attended the Shatchandi Mahayagna at Gozariya village in Mehsana district and claimed that science guided by faith can achieve any goal Extending New Year greetings on the occasion of Vikram Samvat 2082 the Chief Minister emphasised that development must go hand in hand with tradition echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of progress while preserving heritageHighlighting the spiritual significance of yajnas CM Patel said If science is guided by faith we can reach any destination we aspire toHe made the remarks while attending the Mahayagna organised by the Shri Umiya Mataji Mandir Trust and the Patidar communityHe praised Gozariya village noting its spirit of collective strength a village not only capable of completing its own tasks without obstacles but also helping others achieve theirsSpeaking on the renewed spiritual energy across the nation following the consecration of the Ram Lalla in Ayodhya CM Patel underscored Gujarats crucial role in nationbuilding The vision of a developed India is achievable only through a developed Gujarat he said detailing state initiatives to ensure inclusive growth that reaches every village and citizenThe Chief Minister also outlined Gujarats efforts to accelerate economic growth including the governments new zonewise Vibrant Conferences The first such conference recently held in North Gujarat resulted in investment commitments exceeding Rs 3 lakh crore and over 1200 MoUs Patel said with satisfactionCM Patel concluded his address by urging the people of Gozariya to take new resolutions for the year and prayed to Goddess Umiya Mata for their successful fulfilmentMember of Parliament Haribhai Patel highlighted the importance of maintaining religious practices across India to nurture values among the younger generationTrue development includes not just roads and infrastructure but also spirituality and cultural values Haribhai Patel saidRajya Sabha member Mayank Nayak commended the organisers for holding the Shatchandi Mahayagna to reconnect the youth with Sanatan Dharma amid the rise of technology and artificial intelligence He assured continuous support for Gozariyas development and pledged to ensure the village remains at the forefront of progressOn this occasion CM Patel offered prayers to Goddess Umiya Mata and honoured donors who contributed to the MahayagnaThe event saw the presence of Mehsana MLA Mukesh Patel Mehsana District Bank Chairman Vinod Patel Collector SK Prajapati members of the Umiya Mataji Mandir Trust Patidar community leaders and a large gathering of devotees IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/science-guided-by-faith-can-achieve-any-goal-gujarat-cm-patel-645025.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/raua-sab-par-chhathi-maiya-ke-kripa-banal-rahe-up-cm-yogi-wishes-mothers-sisters-observing-chhath-puja-644866.html New Delhi Oct 25 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday shared a video message on the occasion of Chhath Puja extending greetings to all devotees He said Raua Sab Par Chhathi Maiya Ke Kripa Banal Rahe May Chhathi Maiyas blessings be upon you all Taking to his official social media handle X CM Yogi said I extend my heartfelt greetings to everyone on Chhath Puja Raua Sab Par Chhathi Maiya Ke Kripa Banal Rahe My special wishes to all mothers and sisters who observe this difficult fast for the wellbeing of their familiesDescribing the significance of the festival he added Chhath Puja is the confluence of faith and discipline Through Surya Upasana worship of the Sun God it conveys a message of light energy and balance This is not merely a festival it is the soul of our culture May all devotees observing the fast be blessed with success health wealth and happiness Let this sacred tradition continue for generations to comeEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt greetings to devotees across the country on the occasion of Nahay Khaay marking the beginning of the fourdaylong Chhath pujaTaking to social media platform X Prime Minister Modi said The fourdaylong Chhath festival begins today with the sacred rituals of bathing and eating My heartfelt greetings to devotees across the country including Bihar My salutations and respect to all those observing the fastThis grand festival of our culture symbolizes simplicity and restraint its purity and adherence to discipline are incomparable The scenes witnessed at the Chhath Ghats on this sacred occasion offer a wonderful inspiration for family and social harmony The ancient tradition of Chhath has had a profound impact on our society PM Modi addedHe further wished that Chhathi Maiya bestows her bountiful blessings on everyoneToday Chhath is celebrated as a major cultural festival in every corner of the world Indian families living around the world participate wholeheartedly in its traditions I wish that Chhathi Maiya bestows her bountiful blessings on everyone he saidPM Modi further said that Chhath Mahaparva is a unique confluence of faith worship and love for natureChhath Mahaparva is a unique confluence of faith worship and love for nature While offerings are made to the setting and rising Sun the offerings also incorporate the diverse colours of nature The songs and melodies of Chhath Puja are also imbued with a unique sense of devotion and love for nature PM Modi saidHe further remembered that Bihars Nightingale late Sharda Sinha had a close relationship with BegusaraiI was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Begusarai just yesterday Bihars Nightingale Sharda Sinha had a close relationship with Begusarai Sharda Sinha and many other folk artists from Bihar have added a unique touch to the Chhath festival through their songs PM Modi addedPM Modi further shared a song of Sharda Sinha who had died during the Chhath festival last yearToday on this great festival I am sharing with you all such songs of Chhathi Maiya listening to which everyone will be mesmerised he addedOn the first day devotees known as Vratis people who are fasting take a holy dip in rivers or ponds and consume a simple sattvic having qualities of purity harmony and balance meal of arwa chawal plain rice and lauki ki sabzi bottle gourd curry after offering prayers Other traditional foods like chana dal amla chutney and papad are prepared and later served as prasad ritual food offeringMass gatherings are expected across various bathing ghats across the country where thousands of devotees will participate in the rituals with unwavering faithWith roots tracing back to the Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga Chhath Puja is regarded as one of the oldest forms of Sun worship Devotees observe strict fasting abstaining from food and water for extended periods to express devotion and seek blessings of prosperity health and happiness Worshipping Surya during Chhath is believed to dispel negativity and usher in peace and positivityChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities across the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/raua-sab-par-chhathi-maiya-ke-kripa-banal-rahe-up-cm-yogi-wishes-mothers-sisters-observing-chhath-puja-644866.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/such-arrangements-for-the-first-time-passengers-on-special-trains-on-chhath-puja--644884.html New Delhi Oct 25 Delhis Anand Vihar railway station witnessed a massive crowd of passengers on Saturday ahead of the Chhath festival Excitement filled the air as people prepared to travel to their hometowns in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh to celebrate and worship Chhath Puja with their families The fourday Chhath festival began on October 25 with NahayKhaay marking the start of the festivitiesPassengers at Anand Vihar railway station expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by Indian Railways Separate ticket counters were set up making it easier for passengers to purchase tickets while security was tightened RPF personnel were seen assisting passengers and guiding them about ticketing and boarding detailsSpeaking to IANS passenger Mohan Rai said Everything is very comfortable We are getting great facilities here I want to thank the police and railway authorities for this arrangementAnother passenger Rajan added I am going to Bihar The facilities are excellent I have never seen such an arrangement beforeTo manage the surge in passenger traffic the Indian Railways has made elaborate preparations Special trains additional coaches and several passengerfriendly measures were introduced on major routes and at key stations A roundtrip Chhath Puja Special train has also been scheduled between Rani Kamlapati and Hazrat NizamuddinThis special train will comprise 22 LHB coaches including two Second AC three Third AC six Economy Third AC five Sleeper four General Class one SLRD and one generator carAccording to the Railways Ministry around 6181 special trains have been planned for October 28 to facilitate passengers returning to their workplaces after the festive season In total over 12000 special trains are being operated across the country with more than 900 additional trips scheduled in the next three days to manage the festival rushChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily celebrated in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also observed in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities worldwide Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya the festival signifies purity gratitude and the wellbeing of ones family IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/such-arrangements-for-the-first-time-passengers-on-special-trains-on-chhath-puja--644884.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/four-day-festival-of-faith-chhath-puja-begins-with-the-ritual-of-nahay-khaay-644821.html New Delhi Oct 25 The fourday festival of faith and devotion Chhath Puja began on Saturday with the sacred ritual of NahayKhaay Dedicated to the Sun god the festival celebrates the harmony between nature and humanity embodying purity gratitude and discipline On the first day devotees known as Vratis people who are fasting take a holy dip in rivers or ponds and consume a simple sattvic having qualities of purity harmony and balance meal of arwa chawal plain rice and lauki ki sabzi bottle gourd curry after offering prayers Other traditional foods like chana dal amla chutney and papad are prepared and later served as prasad ritual food offeringMass gatherings are expected across various bathing ghats across the country where thousands of devotees will participate in the rituals with unwavering faithWith roots tracing back to the Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga Chhath Puja is regarded as one of the oldest forms of Sun worship Devotees observe strict fasting abstaining from food and water for extended periods to express devotion and seek blessings of prosperity health and happiness Worshipping Surya during Chhath is believed to dispel negativity and usher in peace and positivityChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities across the worldDedicated to the worship of the Sun god and his sister Chhathi Maiya the festival emphasises purity gratitude and the wellbeing of ones familyThe fourday celebration involves elaborate rituals that symbolise purification faith and selfcontrolDay 1 Nahai Khai The festival begins with devotees taking a holy dip in a river or pond to cleanse themselves They bring vegetables and pulses and prepare the first offerings emphasising cleanliness and sanctityDay 2 Kharna On this day devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset They prepare offerings of jaggery rice and wheat breaking their fast in the evening after making offerings to the deity The prasad ritual food offerings is then shared with family friends and neighbours to promote unity and community spiritDay 3 Sandhya Arghya Devotees gather near water bodies in the evening to offer arghya prayers and offerings to the setting Sun They present fruits sugarcane and prasad to express gratitude to the Sun god for sustaining life on EarthDay 4 Usha Arghya The final day is dedicated to offering prayers to the rising Sun Devotees break their fast after making offerings symbolising renewal and spiritual rebirth The prasad is distributed among family and community members marking the end of the ritualsChhath Puja is celebrated with simplicity dedication and purity The offerings including fruits vegetables and sweets represent the gifts of nature and the ritual of fasting and prayers signifies the devotees willingness to cleanse their body mind and soul The primary essence of Chhath Puja is gratitude as it fosters respect for natural resources and the harmonious relationship between nature and humankind IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/four-day-festival-of-faith-chhath-puja-begins-with-the-ritual-of-nahay-khaay-644821.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/indian-railways-tries-to-ease-holiday-rush-for-chhath-puja-with-special-trains-644827.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Indian Railways has made elaborate arrangements to manage the surge in passenger traffic for Chhath Puja as thousands of people tried to reach home even on Saturday to celebrate the festival with their families To accommodate the growing demand special trains additional coaches and several passengerfriendly measures were introduced on major routes and at key stationsIn response to the heavy rush a roundtrip Chhath Puja Special train has been scheduled between Rani Kamlapati and Hazrat NizamuddinAccording to officials train number 01661 Chhath Puja Special departed from Rani Kamlapati station on Saturday at 730 am and will arrive at Hazrat Nizamuddin station at 815 pmOn its return journey train number 01662 will leave Hazrat Nizamuddin at 830 pm on Saturday and halt at Mathura at 955 pm Agra Cantt at 1050 pm Gwalior at 255 am Veerangna Rani Laxmibai Jhansi at 535 am Bina at 810 am Vidisha at 915 am before reaching Rani Kamlapati Station at 1050 am on SundayThe train will comprise 22 LHB coaches including two Second AC three Third AC six Economy Third AC five Sleeper four General Class one SLRD and one generator carThe Railways Ministry stated that around 6181 special trains have been notified for October 28 to facilitate the return of passengers to their workplaces after the festive season is overIn total over 12000 special trains are being operated across the country with more than 900 special trips scheduled in the next three days to manage the festival rushIn Bihar nearly 30 stations are being equipped to handle the massive passenger inflow Measures include additional ticket counters CCTV surveillance weatherproof holding areas and enhanced crowd management systemsStations such as Patna Danapur Rajendra Nagar Terminal Saharsa Darbhanga Muzaffarpur Gaya Samastipur and Barauni in Bihar along with Gorakhpur Ballia and Varanasi also known as Banaras in Uttar Pradesh are among those where holding areas have been set up to ensure smooth operationsAdditional coaches are also being attached to existing services to accommodate increased demand Weatherproof holding areas are being created at major stations to manage large passenger inflows and provide convenient waiting facilities before train departures the ministry statedTo ensure passenger safety 247 medical booths have been established at key stations including Patna Muzaffarpur Darbhanga Gaya and Saharsa Fire brigade and ambulance services have also been stationed for emergency health assistance and safety managementAdding to the festive spirit Indian Railways has begun playing Chhath songs at several major stations to help passengers feel more connected to the occasionAt stations like Patna Danapur Hajipur Bhagalpur Jamalpur Sonpur New Delhi Ghaziabad and Anand Vihar Terminal the devotional songs are creating a joyful atmosphere and evoking the spirit of home and tradition for travellers heading back for the sacred festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/indian-railways-tries-to-ease-holiday-rush-for-chhath-puja-with-special-trains-644827.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 10:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/four-day-chhath-festival-underway-in-bihar-644853.html Patna Oct 25 The grand fourday festival of Chhath a celebration of faith and devotion to the Sun God began on Saturday with the ritual of NahayKhaay Chhath Puja which begins on the Chaturthi Tithi fourth day of the bright fortnight of Kartik month will culminate with offerings to the rising sun on the Saptami Tithi October 28The main ritual of Sandhya Arghya evening offerings to the setting sun will take place on October 27 followed by Usha Arghya morning offerings the next dayThe festival is being celebrated with great fervour and devotion across Bihar Jharkhand eastern Uttar Pradesh and NepalOn NahayKhaay devotees bathed in holy rivers and water bodies cleaned their homes and kitchens and took vows to maintain purity in mind speech and actionThey prepared a simple sattvic meal of pumpkin curry gram dal and rice cooked on clay stoves without onion garlic or regular salt a symbolic act of inner and outer purificationDevotees believe that Chhathi Maiyas blessings begin from this day and hence rituals are performed with utmost discipline and devotionDuring the four days of the festival participants abstain from nonvegetarian food alcohol and negative behaviour emphasising selfcontrol and spiritual cleansingAccording to the Hindu calendar the Shashti Tithi will begin at 604 am on October 27 and end at 759 am on October 28During this period millions of devotees will gather at riverbanks and ponds to offer their prayers to the Sun God a tradition symbolising gratitude toward nature light and lifeThe ghats across Bihar are being decorated and illuminated for the upcoming Sandhya and Usha Arghya which mark the spiritual and visual climax of the festivalThe rhythmic sounds of Chhath songs lighting of lamps and devotional aartis will transform the riverbanks into divine spectacles over the next few days IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/four-day-chhath-festival-underway-in-bihar-644853.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bengal-bjp-infighting-erupts-over-attack-on-caa-camp-644619.html Kolkata Oct 23 A BJP MLAs supporters have been accused of vandalising a camp meant for filling applications for the amended Citizenship Amendment Act CAA in the Kalyani area of Nadia district which was opened by Union Minister Shantanu Thakur BJP MLA Ambika Roy however denied such allegations He said he was not present there at the time of the incident and maintained that the BJP has no connection with that camp officeAccording to sources a CAA support camp office was opened in the area adjacent to the BJP party office Syamaprasad Bhavan in Kalyanis Central Park The office was inaugurated by Shantanu Thakur on October 22 However early on Thursday morning followers of Kalyani MLA Ambika Roy attacked the camp office The office was vandalised and furniture was broken A few people present there were also beaten upA person named Rohan Sau was injured in the incident He said The MLAs people attacked without provocation They beat us up severely A total of five of us were injured We were assisting the people at the camp office which was inaugurated by Shantanu ThakurThe BJP MLA meanwhile said Several people were drinking alcohol there at night and committing antisocial acts When the locals opposed a scuffle broke out I heard that there was a minor scuffle BJP has no connection with the incident Our workers did not vandalise the campThe incident however raised questions about the growing infighting between the two camps of the BJPBJPs Bangaon organisational district president Vikas Ghosh said It is not a party programme There is no issue of group conflict There has been some misunderstanding locallyTrinamool Congress meanwhile took a dig at the BJP over the incident Partys Ranaghat organisational district president Debashis Gangopadhyay said The MP group and the MLA group are involved in an infighting for their own interests The miscreants from both sides have messed with each other Police will take action as per the law IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bengal-bjp-infighting-erupts-over-attack-on-caa-camp-644619.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/op-sindoor-delivered-a-heavy-dose-to-pakistan-rajnath-singh-644631.html Jaisalmer Oct 23 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that after the heavy dose given to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor will deter it from indulging in any adventurism for a long time Addressing the Army Commanders Conference held in the desert city close to the Pakistan border for the first time since Operation Sindoor the Defence Minister said Though Pakistan has been delivered a heavy dose under Operation Sindoor if at all it thinks of indulging in any troublemaking now it should think 100 times before doing any such thingJust in case Pakistan attempts to do something wrong it should know very well about the outcome of such a misadventure said the Defence Minister adding that Operation Sindoor is still on and it is just put under suspensionHe recalled an anecdote from the Ramayana and said that during Operation Sindoor our pilots had just tried to test the winds but within minutes they crushed the targets In case our pilots get down to the real act then it is only a matter of imagination in what state they will leave Pakistan after their attack he saidHe said our enemies whether external or internal need to be kept under a close watch and effective measures need to be taken against themRajnath Singh said the government is committed to improving infrastructure and developing border areas I am sure as development activities increase in the area you will also going to benefit from it he saidAlerting Commanders to remain alert in this area bordering Pakistan the Defence Minister said the armed forces will play a key role in achieving Viksit Bharat2047On the one hand you have to guard our border and on the other you have to build a developed India he saidThe Defence Minister is on a threeday visit to Jaisalmer which started on Thursday According to defence sources the conference has brought together the Army Chief and senior commanders to deliberate on border security along Indias western frontier modern warfare strategies and technological advancements in defence operationsThe discussions will also focus on the Armys ongoing Year of Reforms assessing the progress of structural and technological modernisation initiativesOn the second day of his visit Rajnath Singh will visit the Longewala border post where he will pay homage to the soldiers martyred during the 1971 IndoPak war IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/op-sindoor-delivered-a-heavy-dose-to-pakistan-rajnath-singh-644631.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/acharya-prashant-calls-for-an-awakened-vote-ahead-of-bihar-elections-2025-644660.html New Delhi Oct 24 As Bihar heads toward elections philosopher and author Acharya Prashant has urged citizens to treat the vote as an occasion for awakening rather than routine The quality of any government is never higher than the quality of the people who elect it he said When people vote unconsciously by habit caste or anger elections become nothing but a ritual A sleeping mind elects a snoring systemAcharya Prashant said Bihars tragedy was not merely economic but spiritual Bihars tragedy is not that it is poor it is that it refuses to wake up Poverty of money can be cured but poverty of clarity cannotHe linked the states persistent challenges such as migration unemployment weak governance and poor education to an inward lack of awareness among voters Each number in every report is a mirror held to our collective mind Bihars wounds are not of governance alone they are wounds of vision he remarkedCiting official figures he pointed out that Bihars percapita income at about Rs 54000 a year remains the lowest in India while over 25 lakh people migrate annually in search of work The literacy rate is around 71 per cent female literacy roughly 61 per cent and the female labourforce participation rate is barely 25 per centA land that once gave the world the Buddha now struggles to give its children even a decent classroom he said To rebuild Bihar is to rebuild the classroom The gravest injustice to a human being is to keep him uneducated for then he cannot even know that he is in chainsHe noted that neglect in one area infects all others Education ignored breeds unemployment unemployment breeds lawlessness lawlessness finally kills aspiration When the voter remains inwardly unaware every sector reflects the same disorder in a different disguiseHe highlighted continuing challenges in law and order infrastructure and healthcare Bihar still records among the highest pendency of court cases in India and power consumption per capita remains barely a third of the national average Progress that does not reach the last home is only decoration he said Without inner order even outer infrastructure crumbles into misuseOn unchecked population growth Acharya Prashant warned that no economy can outpace the womb forever Bihars population density at over 1200 persons per sq km is triple the national average When the population multiplies without proportionate education employment or healthcare every reform becomes futile he said Womens education and family planning are not charity they are survivalHe emphasised that the position of women remains the most accurate test of social maturity The freedom of the woman is not a social issue it is the barometer of a civilisations core In the same home that worships goddesses daughters are confined for safetyTurning to electoral behaviour Acharya Prashant said the gravest corruption in Bihar lay not in offices but in minds Caste freebies anger and emotion still guide the hand at the ballot The mind votes every day for comfort over clarity for greed over gratitude the EVM is only the final act of that inner disorderHe urged voters not to disengage but to exercise discrimination If no candidate appears worthy the right approach is not to hunt for the perfect but to eliminate the worst as one does in an exam Remove those clearly unfit the corrupt the violent the divisive From what remains choose the one least harmful the one still capable of conscienceHe added a caution against flattery Do not vote for those who only tell you what you want to hear The leader who dares to speak the uncomfortable truth even at the cost of votes is the one who truly deserves them The one who flatters you prepares to exploit youReflecting on Bihars cultural inheritance Acharya Prashant said legacy must be lived not worshippedBihars heritage is luminous Buddha Mahavira Nalanda But luminous memory is not lived understanding Knowledge lives only when it cuts the false inside us The moment it turns into an inheritance a slogan a custom or a cultural tradition it stops liberating and starts protecting our weaknessesA living heritage he said must show itself in conduct honesty in public life safety for women schools that teach real enquiry and courts that deliver justice Otherwise what we call heritage is merely an alibi he remarkedAcharya Prashant concluded that Bihars transformation must begin within Every external change begins with an internal one If you do not first reform the voter within the system outside will keep repeating its old patternsHe called upon citizens to see the coming election as a responsibility of awareness Bihar will rise the day its citizens stop voting to be pleased and start voting to be awakened The real election is not between parties it is between clarity and confusion between light and darkness between awakening and apathy IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/acharya-prashant-calls-for-an-awakened-vote-ahead-of-bihar-elections-2025-644660.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-urges-people-to-share-chhath-puja-songs-ahead-of-festivities-644679.html New Delhi Oct 24 As Chhath Puja begins from Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to share songs related to the festival saying he would repost them over the next few days Taking to social media platform X the Prime Minister said Chhath the grand festival dedicated to nature and culture is approaching Devotees across Bihar and the country are already engaged in preparations with devotion Songs dedicated to Chhathi Maiya further enhance the grandeur and divinity of this sacred occasion I request you to share songs related to Chhath Puja with me I will share them with all my countrymen over the next few daysThe fourday Chhath Puja celebrations this year will be observed from Saturday to October 28 The festival is a revered occasion dedicated to worshipping the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya seeking blessings for prosperity and wellbeingChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities across the worldDedicated to the worship of the Sun god and his sister Chhathi Maiya the festival emphasises purity gratitude and the wellbeing of ones familyWith roots tracing back to the ancient eras of Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga Chhath Puja is believed to be among the oldest known forms of Sun worship Devotees observe the festival with strict discipline abstaining from food and water for long hours to express devotion and seek blessings of prosperity health and happiness Worshipping Surya during Chhath is said to remove negativity from ones life and usher in peace and positivityThe fourday celebration involves elaborate rituals that symbolise purification faith and selfcontrolDay 1 Nahai Khai The festival begins with devotees taking a holy dip in a river or pond to cleanse themselves They bring vegetables and pulses and prepare the first offerings emphasising cleanliness and sanctityDay 2 Kharna On this day devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset They prepare offerings of jaggery rice and wheat breaking their fast in the evening after making offerings to the deity The prasad is then shared with family friends and neighbours to promote unity and community spiritDay 3 Sandhya Arghya Devotees gather near water bodies in the evening to offer arghya prayers and offerings to the setting Sun They present fruits sugarcane and prasad to express gratitude to the Sun god for sustaining life on EarthDay 4 Usha Arghya The final day is dedicated to offering prayers to the rising Sun Devotees break their fast after making offerings symbolising renewal and spiritual rebirth The prasad is distributed among family and community members marking the end of the ritualsChhath Puja is celebrated with simplicity dedication and purity The offerings including fruits vegetables and sweets represent the gifts of nature and the ritual of fasting and prayers signifies the devotees willingness to cleanse their body mind and soul The primary essence of Chhath Puja is gratitude as it fosters respect for natural resources and the harmonious relationship between nature and humankind IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-urges-people-to-share-chhath-puja-songs-ahead-of-festivities-644679.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/poverty-surges-to-39-pc-pakistan-moving-faster-towards-destitution-644748.html London Oct 24 Pakistan is facing a deepening poverty crisis that reflects the convergence of economic mismanagement structural inefficiencies and environmental devastation The poverty rate which had been declining for nearly two decades has now surged to 39 per cent pushing an estimated 125 million additional people below the poverty line according to an article in Lens Asia a Bangladesh media outletBetween fiscal years 2020 and 2025 the country has experienced severe volatility in inflation GDP per capita growth and sectoral performance all of which have contributed to a sharp rise in poverty the article statesPersistently high energy costs and elevated core inflation continued to squeeze vulnerable families many of whom were already struggling to meet basic needs Human capital development has also suffered with over onethird of children out of school in 202425 The exclusion is most severe among female students and the youngest age cohorts threatening longterm productivity and perpetuating cycles of poverty the article points outOne of the most crippling contributors to Pakistans economic distress is the circular debt crisis in the power sector which has ballooned to Rs 24 trillion as of September 2025 equivalent to 21 per cent of the countrys GDPThis debt represents unpaid dues to electricity companies for power that has already been consumed but not compensated for creating a vicious cycle that stifles growth and drains public resourcesAt the heart of this crisis are Independent Power Producers IPPs private entities operating under contracts signed since the 1990s that guarantee profits in US dollars while shielding them from business risksThese contracts include capacity charges which require payments for simply keeping power plants operational and takeorpay clauses that obligate the government to purchase electricity regardless of actual demandA government inquiry revealed that IPPs earned Rs 1000 billion in excess profits through inflated costs and guaranteed payments Yet instead of recovering these funds the government chose to pass the burden onto citizensFiscal consolidation measures have further exacerbated poverty Indirect tax hikes have disproportionately impacted the poor while realterm reductions in the Public Sector Development Programme PSDP have curtailed infrastructure spending and limited labour income opportunitiesNatural disasters have compounded these economic challenges particularly in floodaffected districts across Balochistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh Over 118 million people are projected to face acute food insecurity during the winter lean period with 22 million classified in Emergency IPC Phase 4These regions continue to grapple with reduced crop and livestock production due to heavy monsoon rains that submerged farmland and triggered disease outbreaks among animalsAmid this backdrop of economic fragility Pakistans currency appears deceptively stable As of September 2025 the USDPKR exchange rate stands at 28201 having strengthened slightly over the past month while declining 194 per cent over the past yearThis apparent stability however is the result of one of the most aggressive currency manipulation campaigns in emerging market historyThe State Bank of Pakistan has purchased 9 billion from the interbank market over the past nine months to artificially boost reserves and create demand for the rupee despite market fundamentals suggesting otherwisePakistans foreign exchange market is particularly vulnerable due to its shallow structure with a daily turnover of just 200300 millionCentral bank interventions now account for 3040 per cent of daily volume distorting price discovery and making stability exponentially more expensive to maintain as pressures mountWithout urgent reforms Pakistan risks entrenching poverty for millions more undermining its development goals and destabilising its social fabric The illusion of stability cannot mask the reality of growing deprivation and the time for corrective action is rapidly running out the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/poverty-surges-to-39-pc-pakistan-moving-faster-towards-destitution-644748.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/foiled-is-terror-bid-2-suspects-sent-to-delhi-police-custody-till-oct-27-644789.html New Delhi Oct 24 Two suspected IS operatives arrested before they could plant a bomb in Delhi were on Friday sent to three days police custody till October 27 by a city court an official said Md Adnan Khan alias Abu Muharib 19 a resident of Sadiq Nagar in south Delhi and Adnan Khan alias Abu Mohammad 20 a resident of Karond Bhopal MP were arrested on October 16 and 18 respectivelyOn Friday the Delhi court sent the two to police custody to pave the way for their interrogation on the data recovered from their mobile phones and pen drives seized from themThe Delhi Police through the public prosecutor had sought an extension in the two accuseds custody by four days but the court at Patiala House complex allowed only a threeday extension in their custodyWhile seeking their custody the police said the gadgets seized from the two had been sent for lab analysis and they wanted to interrogate the two over their social media accountsThe police also informed the court that they were yet to question some other suspects involved in the foiled attempt to strike terror in the national CapitalBoth suspects allegedly communicated with a Syriabased IS handler identified as Abu Ibrahim alQureshi according to the policeThe defence lawyer told the court that they had not yet been given a copy of the first information report FIRPramod Singh Kushwah Additional Commissioner of Police Special Cell said the interstate module of IS was disseminating jihadi videos on social media and had progressed to an advanced stage of planning attacks at crowded locations in Delhi during the festive seasonThey had started procuring materials for improvised explosive devices IEDs he saidAfter their arrest the Delhi Police have recovered a pen drive containing the video of Md Adnan Delhi taking the Bayʿah while dressed in IS attire black clothing and scarf an IS flag mobile phones containing radical videos and related material hard disks and a laptopEarlier surveillance showed that Md Adnan Delhi and Adnan Khan Bhopal were active on multiple social platforms using them to spread extremist content recruit followers and coordinate activities the police saidDuring a search of Md Adnans Delhi residence investigators recovered three mobile phones containing incriminating IS material images and manuals detailing remote detonation systems instructions on making plastic bombs and Molotov cocktails a pen drive hard disks an IS flag the clothing used during the Bayah and a timer clock intended for use in an IEDThe suspect from Bhopal had previously been arrested by Uttar Pradesh ATS under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and after obtaining bail in 2024 he resumed terroristrelated activity chiefly through online recruitment and propaganda dissemination In June 2024 he was arrested by UP ATS for threatening an Additional Session Judge in connection with the videographic survey of GyanvapiThe police said Md Adnan from Delhi admitted to taking the Bayah pledge of allegiance to the current IS Caliph Abu Hafs alHashimi alQurayshi through a Syriabased handlerThe Bayah was recorded on video while the suspect was dressed in IS attire said a police statementThe investigators said the Bhopalbased suspect regularly sent radical jihadi videos and instructed Md Adnan is in Delhi to edit and disseminate them IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/foiled-is-terror-bid-2-suspects-sent-to-delhi-police-custody-till-oct-27-644789.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/aid-and-abuse-the-forgotten-girls-of-pakistan-644595.html New Delhi Oct 23 In Pakistan the abduction forced conversion and marriage of minor Hindu and Christian girls has emerged as one of South Asias most persistent human rights crises Beneath the political narratives of reform and international cooperation lies a grim reality minority girls continue to disappear their identities erased and their families silenced This ongoing tragedy challenges the very credibility of global commitments to gender equality and human rightsDatabacked realityA recent report titled Pakistan Genderbased Violence against minor girls of Hindus Sikhs and Christians published by the Global Hindu Temple Network presents verified data on hundreds of cases involving abduction and forced conversion of minor girls between 2021 and 2025 The report highlights how religious identity compounds gender vulnerability in Pakistan where girls from Hindu and Christian communities are often abducted from their homes converted under coercion and married to much older menThe data indicate that the majority of victims are below 16 years of age and in over 70 per cent of documented cases the police either refused to register First Information Reports FIRs or later diluted them under pressure In many instances victims were presented in court claiming to have willingly converted a narrative often extracted under duressIn Sindh and Punjab the two provinces with the highest number of recorded cases the nexus between religious extremism and patriarchal dominance sustains a climate of fearThe report also notes a concerning institutional apathy where state and law enforcement agencies not only fail to protect victims but in some cases facilitate the perpetrators This impunity perpetuates a cycle of fear forcing minority families into silence or migrationRaising issue at global platformsDrawing from these findings the President of the Global Hindu Temple Network America Mohinder Gulati recently raised the issue during the World Bank Civil Society Organisation CSO Forum and in communication with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund IMF He questioned how Pakistan continues to receive billions in development funding while ignoring gross violations of its minority girls fundamental rightsThis reality even brings into question Pakistans commitments to international conventions on womens and childrens rights including CEDAW and the Convention on the Rights of the ChildMohinder Gulatis intervention highlighted a stark contradiction while international institutions publicly champion gender equality their funding practices often fail to account for structural discrimination in recipient countries If gender justice remains confined to metrics and not moral accountability the very essence of inclusive development loses meaningSilence becomes complicityPakistans treatment of its minorities is not an isolated domestic issue It is an indicator of systemic gender injustice The absence of global outrage reflects a troubling hierarchy in human rights advocacy where the faith of victims determines the urgency of response International institutions cannot claim moral leadership while turning away from the abduction and violation of young girls based on their religionDevelopment aid that overlooks such abuse does not empower it enables Funds allocated for womens empowerment and education cannot absolve a state that denies its minorities the right to dignity and protection As the report underscores until justice for these girls becomes part of the gender dialogue every statement on equity and inclusion will ring hollowCall for moral and institutional accountabilityThis issue demands more than diplomatic caution it requires moral clarity The World Bank and IMF must review their gender policy enforcement in countries like Pakistan ensuring that funding aligns with tangible progress on human rights benchmarks Monitoring must go beyond token representation and include independent audits of genderlinked violations especially those affecting minoritiesThe silence surrounding abducted Hindu and Christian girls is not just Pakistans failure it is a failure of global conscience As long as institutions measure progress through numbers and not through justice aid will remain complicit in oppressionDr Vinay Nalwa is the coauthor of the report Pakistan Genderbased Violence against minor girls of Hindus Sikhs and Christians published by the Global Hindu Temple Network IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/aid-and-abuse-the-forgotten-girls-of-pakistan-644595.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/devasom-minister-should-resign-tdb-members-should-be-kicked-out-lop-satheesan-644352.html Palakkad Oct 22 The political storm over the Sabarimala gold scam intensified on Wednesday with the Leader of Opposition LoP Satheesan demanding the resignation of the current Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan and the dismissal of the Travancore Devaswom Board TDB Satheesan said based on the latest observations of the Kerala High Court which have underlined the seriousness of the allegations VN Vasavan should quit and the TDB should be dismissedElaborating on the scam Satheesan said the fraud dates back to 2019 when original goldplated Dwarapalaka plates were allegedly replaced with fake copper sheets and the originals sold to private partiesThe then TDB leadership along with sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti presently under arrest was already under the scanner The current Board acted with full knowledge of this earlier scam when it reassigned work to the same Potti in 2025 said SatheesanHe also highlighted contradictions in the the Devaswom Commissioners actionsOn July 30 the Commissioner had reportedly objected to assigning gold plating work to outsiders and warned against trusting a private agency However just a week later the position was reversed and the work was given to Potti again allegedly after intervention from the current TDB President added LoP SatheesanThe High Court in its recent interim observations noted that the Board violated both Devaswom manuals and earlier court orders while allowing the plates to be moved outThe court also pointed out that had it not intervened the Dwarapalaka plates taken out in 2025 might also have been soldThis is not negligence it is an organized looting of temple gold The Minister must resign immediately and the entire Board must be kicked out added SatheesanHe further alleged that the President of the Devaswom Board played a direct role in overruling the Commissioners objectionsIf officials are accused why is the President still in office the leader askedIncidentally PS Prasanth the present TDB President is a CPIM leaderEarlier he was a top district leader in the Congress party and had unsuccessfully contested in the 2021 Assembly polls from his home constituency in the capital districtSoon after Prasanth lost the polls he dumped the Congress party and joined the CPIM Soon thereafter he was made the President of the TDB IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/devasom-minister-should-resign-tdb-members-should-be-kicked-out-lop-satheesan-644352.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/lord-vishwakarma-credited-with-creation-of-craft-punjab-minister-644358.html Ludhiana Oct 22 Punjab Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Wednesday said Lord Vishwakarma is credited with the creation of craft architecture and engineering Addressing a statelevel function at Lord Vishwakarma Mandir here to observe Vishwakarma Day Sond said the global industrial and infrastructure development is a direct result of Lord Vishwakarmas blessings He further explained that the state government is focusing on skill development for the youth aiming to enable them to lead lives of dignity and selfrespect in line with Lord Vishwakarmas principles and teachings Lord Vishwakarma is revered as the supreme architect of the universe known as the master of all machinery and tools used in industrial processes Encouraging the public to emulate Lord Vishwakarmas teachings Sond said supporting skill development across the state will be a fitting homage to Lord Vishwakarma The minister outlined the transformative governments initiatives in education and health ensuring accessible highquality services for all He noted that 55000 government jobs have been transparently given to the youth 90 per cent of residents receive zero electricity bills and all 13246 villages in Punjab will soon have access to 3100 topclass playgrounds Sond also praised the states significant contributions to national security stating that despite comprising just 15 per cent of Indias population the state leads in sacrifices for the countrys safety Additionally he highlighted the success of the antidrug campaign Yudh Nasha Virudh Temple committee president Ranjit Kumar Salh urged the state government to assist the managing committee in completing the pending civil works of the temple building by releasing required funds which Sond announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh and assured full support in completing the pending civil works He also distributed sewing machines among needy women IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/lord-vishwakarma-credited-with-creation-of-craft-punjab-minister-644358.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-extends-wishes-on-guru-charan-yatra-644370.html New Delhi Oct 22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his heartfelt wishes on the occasion of the Guru Charan Yatra invoking the timeless teachings and spiritual legacy of Sri Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Sahib Kaur He urged the citizens especially those residing along the yatra route to participate in this spiritual pilgrimage and have darshan of the holy Jore Sahib Responding to posts by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on X PM Modi said May the Guru Charan Yatra deepen our connect with the noble ideals of Sri Guru Gobind Singhji and Mata Sahib Kaurji I urge people in the areas this yatra will cover to come and have Darshan of the holy Jore Sahib Puri on X wrote The holy Jore Sahib Charan Suhawa of the founder of Khalsa Panth Dasam Pita Sri Guru Gobind Singhji Maharaj and his wife Mata Sahib Kaurji have been with our family for more than 300 years Today I feel humbled that my family will hand over the custody of the holy relics to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee A special Kirtan Samagam will be held at Gurdwara Moti Bagh today October 22 2025 where the devotees will be able to have a darshan of the holy Jore Sahib the Union Minister said The holy Jore Sahib will then be taken in Guru Charan Yatra and will be permanently placed at the birthplace of Dasam Pita in Takht Sri Patna Sahib where the devout will be able to pay their obedience and perform darshan The Guru Charan Yatra will begin on October 23 from Gurdwara Moti Bagh and reach Faridabad by night On October 24 it will travel from Faridabad to Agra on the 25th to Bareilly on the 26th to Mahangapur on the 27th to Lucknow on the 28th to Kanpur on the 29th to Prayagraj on the 30th it will proceed through Varanasi to Sasaram on the 31st it will reach Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh Patna Sahib and on the morning of November 1 it will arrive at Takht Sri Patna Sahib marking the conclusion of the Yatra added Union Minister Puri In the custody of Union Minister Puris family for nearly three centuries the holy footwear worn by Guru Gobind Singh and his wife Mata Sahib Kaur has now found a new home Takht Sri Patna Sahib the birthplace of the tenth Sikh Guru IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-extends-wishes-on-guru-charan-yatra-644370.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhi-over-1-232-sattvic-delicacies-offered-to-deities-on-annakut-festival-at-swaminarayan-akshardham-mandir-644377.html New Delhi Oct 22 Continuing Indias timeless festival traditions the celebrations of Annakut and Govardhan Puja were held with joy and fervour at Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir on Wednesday Thousands of devotees and visitors gathered at the temple premises with deep devotion and faith to be part of this divine occasion From the early morning hours large crowds of devotees thronged the temple Thousands came for Annakut Darshan where 1232 sattvic vegetarian dishes were artistically arranged and offered before the deities In preparation for this grand offering hundreds of dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly day and night exemplifying selfless devotion love and serviceInspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj the festivals of Diwali and Annakut were celebrated with devotion and harmony at over 1800 BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs and centres around the world in the same spirit as other major Hindu festivalsAt 1000 am the celebrations at Akshardham Mandir commenced with Govardhan Mahapuja in which senior swamis of the organisation and thousands of devotees participated A special replica of Govardhan Parvat was created in the temple courtyard where the swamis performed the traditional Vedic Mahapuja and the divine arti of the deities The chanting of Vedic hymns and devotional music filled the air with spirituality and divine joyBlessing everyone on this auspicious occasion Mahant Swami Maharaj said May everyone attain happiness in body mind and wealth In this New Year let all imbibe the virtues of others and stay away from criticism and faultsCelebrated on the first day of the bright fortnight Shukla Pratipada after Diwali the festival offers devotees an opportunity to express their gratitude toward God In many Indian states this day is also considered the beginning of the New YearAccording to ancient scriptures around 5000 years ago during the Dwapar Yuga when torrential rains were caused by Indra Devs wrath Lord Krishna lifted the mighty Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the people of Gokul After seven days when the storm ended Shri Krishna instructed all to worship Govardhan and celebrate the Annakut festival a tradition that continues till todayThe Annakut Darshan remained open to the public until late in the evening The festival beautifully reflected the spirit of Tera Tujhko Arpan symbolising the belief that everything we possess is by Gods grace and true joy lies in offering it back to Him IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhi-over-1-232-sattvic-delicacies-offered-to-deities-on-annakut-festival-at-swaminarayan-akshardham-mandir-644377.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/chinese-communist-party-has-institutionalized-monitoring-of-tibetan-buddhism-report-644402.html Colombo Oct 22 Chinas approach towards Buddhism in Tibet depends on three interconnected levers coopting religious institutions building a statecentred narrative and projecting influence internationally These levers are aimed to reduce Tibet Buddhism to a a manageable part of the states political structure The CCPs levers of control showcase impressive reach but fragile depth a report stated on Wednesday Since the late 1990s the Chinese Communist Party CCP has institutionalized its monitoring of Tibetan Buddhism Currently Tibet Autonomous Region has roughly 1700 officially registered monasteries and around 46000 monks and nuns a report in Sri Lankas Ceylon Wire News detailedGovernmentapproved management committee oversees each monastery in Tibet and all senior monastic appointments need party approval The patriotic education sessions having increased in Lhasa since 2008 force monks to denounce Dalai Lama and pledge loyal to the stateThe clearest example of the states intervention is its claim to the right to approve the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama This bureaucratization of a sacred religious tradition reflects Beijings conviction that controlling succession is essential to neutralizing a figure who embodies Tibetan religious and political identity the report mentionsNarrative assertion is part of this effort with Tibets inclusion in China in 1951 being described as a Peaceful Liberation that ended a feudal theocracy in textbooks museums and official media The Partystate frequently highlight the amount of money being spent on restoring monasteries Furthermore choreographed pictures of monks expressing gratitude to the party for their prosperity reinforce this narrative the report highlightedBeijing has also worked to extend its version of Buddhism beyond Chinas borders It regularly funds international Buddhist conferences in Sri Lanka Thailand and Nepal and supports university research centres across Asia that promote a vision of Buddhism aligned with Chinese state narratives This effort is intended to present China rather than the Tibetan diaspora as the legitimate global centre of Buddhist thought and to diminish the influence of the Dalai Lama who remains one of the most respected religious leaders worldwide it mentionedHowever instead of resolving the question of Tibets future Beijing remains focused on controlling reincarnation risks turning the succession into a major international flashpointThe Tibetan case highlights a broader truth The CCPs campaign is less about faith than about political legitimacy By seeking to Sinicize religion embedding it with what the Party calls Chinese characteristics Beijing has invariably revealed its anxiety that spiritual traditions can mobilize loyalties beyond the reach of the Partystate The more the CCP tries to control Tibetan Buddhism the more it underscores the resilience of the tradition it hopes to subsumeThe struggle over Buddhism in Tibet is ultimately about who defines moral authority in Chinas borderlands The CCPs levers of control demonstrate impressive reach but fragile depth They show that political power without some measure of moral consent is inherently insecure and that efforts to impose ideological control can sometimes strengthen the very traditions they aim to weaken the Ceylon Wire News report stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/chinese-communist-party-has-institutionalized-monitoring-of-tibetan-buddhism-report-644402.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/railways-to-run-1-500-extra-trains-in-next-5-days-to-clear-chhath-festive-rush-644405.html New Delhi Oct 22 The Indian Railways plans to run 1500 special trains during the next five days with an average of 300 specials per day to cater to the surge in passengers ahead of Chhath festivities according to an official statement issued on Wednesday These special trains will be operated in addition to the regular train services that are already running to these destinationsAs travel surges for the Chhath festival ahead Indian Railways are going the extra mile to ensure that all travellers reach their destination safely and comfortably the statement saidIndian Railways stepped up the running of special trains for the Diwali season this year Besides regular trains 4493 special train trips were operated in the last 21 days averaging 213 trips daily which helped the passengers reach home safely for Diwali festivities the statement saidFor the upcoming Chhath Puja and ongoing Diwali season this year the railways are running a robust special train schedule to manage the festive travel rush Over a duration of 61 days from October 1 to November 30 more than 12000 special trains are being operated across the country So far a total of 11865 trips 916 trains have been notified including 9338 reserved and 2203 unreserved trips according to the statementThis marks a significant increase from last year when 7724 Puja and Diwali special trains were runOn October 19 the Railways facilitated over 36000 passengers at Udhna Station in Gujarat a 50 per cent increase from the same day in 2024 All passengers boarded trains by 4 pm reaching home in time to celebrate Diwali with their families To manage the surge coordinated efforts were made to control crowds A dedicated holding area and numerous ticket counters were set up for passenger convenience Over the last five days more than 12 lakh people travelled from Udhna the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/railways-to-run-1-500-extra-trains-in-next-5-days-to-clear-chhath-festive-rush-644405.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-scam-case-ex-official-murari-babu-detained-by-sit-644437.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 23 Former Sabarimala Administrative Officer Murari Babu has been taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team SIT in connection with the Sabarimala gold misappropriation case He was taken into custody from his residence in Kottayam district around 10 pm on WednesdayHe was the responsible official at the Sabarimala temple when the alleged scam took place in 2019 He was suspended by the Travancore Devasom Board under which he is a top officialBabu after his detention was brought to the SIT camp office in the state capital city It will only be known during the day whether the SIT will go forward with other proceduresBabu is an accused in cases related to the theft and illegal transport of goldplated panels and frames from the templeThe SIT first registered two separate FIRs and named 10 people as accused including the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti who has been arrestedBabu is also an accused in both the FIRsThe SIT by now after their probe believes Babu was a key link in the conspiracy that spanned from 2019 to 2024It was during his tenure as Administrative Officer in 2019 that the practice of replacing gold plating on the Dwarapalaka plates and wooden frames with copper plating allegedly beganAllegations against him also include the forging of records started under his supervisionEver since his name surfaced Babu however has repeatedly denied wrongdoingHe maintained that the mention of copper plating in the mahazar official record was based on a letter from the Tantri chief priestBabu has always claimed that he only submitted a preliminary report while the final approval came from higher authoritiesMeanwhile the SIT continues recording statements of witnesses The SIT has begun questioning security and temple staff who were on duty when the gold panels were removed from SabarimalaThe local court has given custody of the first accused Potti to the SIT until October 30Even as the SIT continues its questioning the SIT officials are likely to reach Bengaluru Hyderabad and Chennai for evidence collection IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-scam-case-ex-official-murari-babu-detained-by-sit-644437.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/portals-of-kedarnath-dham-close-for-winter-baba-kedars-doli-departs-for-ukhimath-644441.html Kedarnath Oct 23 The sacred portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham were closed on Thursday morning and Baba Kedars revered doli palanquin departed for its winter seat at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath amid devotional chants and the soulful tunes of the Garhwal Rifles band With this three of the four shrines of the Char Dham Yatra have officially closed their doors for winter While Gangotri Dham was closed on Wednesday Kedarnath and Yamunotri Dham followed suit on ThursdayThe portals of Badrinath Dham will close on November 25 marking the formal conclusion of the Char Dham Yatra 2025According to the BadriKedar Temple Committee special arrangements were made for devotees to have darshan of Baba Kedar through the nightDevotees were allowed entry from midnight until 4 am after which Baba Kedars Samadhi Puja was performed from 5 am to 6 am During the ritual the selfmanifested Shivalinga of the deity was ceremonially covered with sacred ashes grains fruits flowers Rudraksha and a white cloth as per tradition The inner sanctum was sealed at 6 am and the main eastern gate was closed at exactly 830 amUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also offered prayers at the holy shrine before the closing ceremonyAs per the schedule Baba Kedars doli carrying the fiveheaded idol will make its first halt at Rampur for the night before reaching Guptkashi on October 24The following day October 25 the doli will reach Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath the deitys winter seat where worship will continue for the next six months until the reopening of the portals next yearThe Char Dham Yatra is ongoing with great enthusiasm until Badrinath Dham closes Since April 30 this year over 45 million devotees have visited the Char Dham shrines IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/portals-of-kedarnath-dham-close-for-winter-baba-kedars-doli-departs-for-ukhimath-644441.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/university-of-mauritius-celebrates-diwali-with-vibrant-people-to-people-ties-on-display-644520.html Port Louis Oct 23 Reaffirming the longstanding friendship between India and Mauritius a Diwali celebration was organised by students at the Work Club of the University of Mauritius A Diwali celebration was organised by the students of the University of Mauritius reaffirming the longstanding friendship between India and MauritiusIndian High Commissioner to Mauritius Anurag Srivastava participated in the event and also extended heartfelt greetings to the people present reflecting on the festivals deeper meaningAccording to the Indian High Commission in Port Louis addressing the event Srivastava spoke about the enduring bond between India and Mauritius calling it two nations in name one family in spiritEmphasising the strong educational ties the Indian High Commissioner highlighted various opportunities to connect with India including fully funded scholarships at undergraduate postgraduate and doctoral levels cultural immersion programmes like the Know India Programme KIP and the Overseas Citizen of India OCI card for persons of Indian originHe encouraged students to pursue excellence with purpose reminding them that they are the torchbearers of the unique relationship between the two countriesCelebrating the occasion the students also organised various cultural activities showcasing the shared cultural heritage and vibrant peopletopeople linkages between India and Mauritius the Indian High Commission mentionedLast month during his visit to India Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam held delegationlevel talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi underscoring the shared vision for peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region IOR and for the Global SouthBoth sides comprehensively reviewed the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two countries and identified new opportunities to deepen collaboration across various sectors of mutual interestHailing the historical bilateral ties PM Modi stated that India and Mauritius are two nations but their dreams and destiny remain oneWhile addressing a joint press meet alongside Ramgoolam PM Modi announced Indias special economic package for Mauritius that supports the infrastructure employment and healthcare sectorsPM Ramgoolam also lauded Indias continuous assistance over the years highlighting that the country has benefited from Indias expertise in key sectors of national development including health education and capacitybuildingOver the years India through its various governments has accompanied Mauritius in its journey toward progress and developmentWe have benefited from Indias generous assistance and expertise in key sectors of national development Indias timely support in these areas continues to make a tangible difference in improving the quality of life of Mauritians said Ramgoolam IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/university-of-mauritius-celebrates-diwali-with-vibrant-people-to-people-ties-on-display-644520.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/karnataka-deputy-commissioner-takes-part-in-fire-walking-ritual-at-hasanamba-temple-wins-hearts-644522.html Hassan Karnataka Oct 23 Deputy Commissioner DC of Hassan district KS Latha Kumari won hearts by taking part in the daring firewalking ritual at the famous Hasanamba Temple premises in Hassan city of Karnataka on Thursday Her participation in the ritual has drawn widespread appreciation from devotees and the video of DC Latha Kumari walking over the burning coals has gone viral on social media The traditional Kendotsava firewalking ritual was held early on Thursday morning at the Hasanamba Temple premises following the conclusion of the public darshan of Goddess Hasanamba on Wednesday nightHassan Deputy Commissioner Latha Kumari participated in the ritual by walking barefoot over the burning embers The Kendotsava ceremony was organised as part of the temples ageold traditions before closing the sanctum sanctorum of the Hasanamba Temple for the yearAt the historic Hasanamba Temple devotees darshan concluded on Wednesday and the sanctum doors will be closed after performing final rituals The doors will be reopened for devotees next yearBefore the closing of the sanctum doors the Siddeshwara Swamy chariot festival and the traditional firewalking ceremony were held with great devotion and celebrationLatha Kumari after walking over the burning embers told the media Seeing devotees carrying the sacred kalasha walk over the embers inspired me to do the same I had never walked on fire before Initially I was afraid but with faith in God I folded my hands and walked Nothing happened to meLatha Kumari who was clad in a pink churidar was cheered on by a large number of devotees gathered in the premises of the temple She was assisted by a senior devotee to cross the embers and after completing the walk on burning embers she celebrated the occasionThe historic Hasanamba festival held for 13 days in Hassan district of Karnataka concluded on Wednesday About 26 lakh devotees including celebrities film actors and prominent politicians from the state visited the temple and had darshan a view of the deity Through the sale of special darshan tickets and laddu prasad sweetmeat offering the temple authorities collected revenue amounting to Rs 20 croreThe doors of the historic temple were opened on October 9 to mark the inauguration of the Hasanamba Jatra Mahotsava Devotees get an opportunity to view the deity only during this annual festival For the rest of the year the temple remains closed An official statement regarding the exact number of devotees and total revenue is yet to be issued by the authoritiesThe main miracle associated with the Hasanamba Temple is the preservation of offerings such as food and flowers which remain fresh and unspoiled for the entire year after being placed inside when the temple is closed The traditional lamp in front of the deity also remains lit during this period The temple opens only for a few days during the Diwali season and this preservation phenomenon is regarded as a testament to the goddesss divine presence IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/karnataka-deputy-commissioner-takes-part-in-fire-walking-ritual-at-hasanamba-temple-wins-hearts-644522.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhai-dooj-celebrated-with-enthusiasm-in-up-jails-as-authorities-make-special-arrangements-for-inmates-644540.html New Delhi Oct 23 The festival of Bhai Dooj symbolising the eternal bond between brothers and sisters was celebrated with deep emotion and enthusiasm across Uttar Pradesh on Thursday not only in homes but also within the walls of jails in Shahjahanpur Meerut and Moradabad In Shahjahanpur District Jail the day began with a heartwarming sight long queues of sisters waiting outside the gates since morning eager to meet their incarcerated brothers Once allowed entry they performed the sacred rituals applying a tilak on their brothers foreheads performing aarti and offering sweets praying for their wellbeing and long life The meeting between siblings separated by walls but united by affection brought tears to many eyesJail Superintendent Mijajilal said special arrangements were made to ensure that the sisters could meet their brothers comfortablyFestivals like Bhai Dooj help preserve human emotions and family values even inside prison he said adding that the celebration brought a touch of humanity to an otherwise stern environment The jail premises were filled with an atmosphere of love warmth and spiritual connectionIn Meerut the Chaudhary Charan Singh District Jail also witnessed vibrant celebrations The administration set up tents seating areas and refreshments for visiting sisters Starting from 5 am the jail buzzed with activity as 4000 to 5000 sisters arrived to perform the traditional rituals Jail Superintendent informed that those female inmates whose brothers could not visit were not left behind the staff themselves celebrated with them ensuring no one felt alone on this special dayIn Moradabad the jail administration went a step further organising the Bhai Dooj meeting under tight securityJailer Alok Singh shared that a slip system was introduced from 9 am to manage the large crowd efficiently By 1 pm over 700 sisters had already met their brothers and applied a tilak with the programme continuing until late evening As a token of affection the jail administration also presented each visiting sister with Rori rice a symbolic festive giftMeanwhile in Kolkata the festival was celebrated as Bhai Phota with sisters applying a mark of the moon on their brothers foreheads performing aarti and praying for their long lives Sweet shops especially Maa Kali Sweets in Naktala witnessed a heavy rush as families purchased delicacies to share with their siblingsSpeaking to IANS a local resident said Today is Bhai Phota Weve come to buy sweets for our brothers Later our sister will visit to give us Phota tooBhai Dooj is one of the most significant Hindu festivals The festival celebrates the unique relationship between brothers and sisters This day is celebrated as Bhau Beej Bhatra Dwitiya Bhai Dwitiya and Bhathru Dwithiya are other names for Bhaiya Dooj The sole purpose of this celebration is to honour the bond between brothers and sisters With Bhai Dooj the Diwali festival will conclude IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhai-dooj-celebrated-with-enthusiasm-in-up-jails-as-authorities-make-special-arrangements-for-inmates-644540.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/president-murmu-offers-prayers-at-sabarimala-temple-644286.html Pamba Oct 22 President Droupadi Murmu on her first visit to the famed Sabarimala temple in Kerala prayed before the deity on Wednesday after arriving by road at the foothills of the temple town in Pamba and then driving up the hill After reaching Pamba she took part in the rituals associated with preparing the sacred offering bundle irumudikettu at the Pamba Ganapathi TempleA while later she dressed in a black saree with a gold border carried the irumudikettu on her headShe then got into the special Gurkha jeep bypassing the regular procedure when pilgrims walk up the hill which normally takes an hourHer convoy consisted of five other vehicles which went up the hill on the Swami Ayyappan concrete road and reached the summitThe President was received at the Kodimaram Chuvadu flag post area by the chief priest Tantri Kantar Mahesh Mohanar who welcomed her with a poornakumbham ritualThen President Murmu climbed the sacred 18 steps carrying the irumudikettu Midway she stopped for a few seconds on one of the stepsShe was seen immersed in prayers standing before the deity with one hand on the irumudikettu on her head and the other on her chestThen the chief priest asked her to keep the bundle offering on the steps to the sanctum sanctorum Those who accompanied her also did the same with their offerings The chief priest prayed inside the temple came out and gave her the sacred prasadam Then she applied the sacred sandalwood paste on her foreheadThe President stood before the deity prayed for a while and then walked around the temple After the darshan she reached the guest house at Sannidhanam to rest She will return to Thiruvananthapuram by eveningPresident Murmu thus became the second president to have prayed at the temple after VV Giri visited the temple five decades agoEarlier in the day President Murmus travel plans got changed following inclement weather and after taking a helicopter from the state capital city she landed at a stadium in Pramadom KonniThe earlier planned destination was that the helicopter would land at Nilackal but following the inclement weather it landed at PramadomAlso contrary to the earlier plans Kerala Governor Rajendra V Arlekar was not on the helicopter instead it was State Devasom Minister VN Vasavan who was accompanying President MurmuAt Pramadom she was received by the local MP Anto Antony the legislators and highranking officials From Pramadom her cavalcade moved to PambaIncidentally the temple will be closed for all other pilgrims during the Presidents visit and will be opened after she departs from Sabarimala IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/president-murmu-offers-prayers-at-sabarimala-temple-644286.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/govardhan-puja-celebrated-across-india-with-great-fervour-and-devotion-644332.html New Delhi Oct 22 Govardhan Puja a festival deeply rooted in Indian tradition and spirituality was celebrated across the country on Wednesday with immense fervour and unwavering faith From the vibrant heartlands of Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh the spirit of devotion united millions in celebration In Rajasthans Bundi the festival coincided with the second day of the grand Deepotsav Homes glowed not just with lamps but with faith as families worshipped Govardhan symbolising the mountain lifted by Lord Krishna to protect the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Indra the rain god To commemorate this divine intervention women sculpted idols of Govardhan using cow dung decorating them with fruits flowers puris papdis ghee milk curd and other offerings These traditional rituals were performed with heartfelt prayers for happiness peace and prosperity in their familiesAs elders offered blessings devotees performed parikrama circumambulation of the sacred idol believing that just as Krishna protected the villagers Govardhan Maharaj would bless their homes with abundance and shield them from adversityIn Deoria Uttar Pradesh the spirit of Govardhan Puja was no less alive The entire region resonated with songs of devotion as women in traditional attire sculpted Govardhan Maharaj and performed rituals with meticulous care It is widely believed here that the puja not only strengthens the bond between siblings but also ensures the long life of brothers making it akin to a second Raksha BandhanThe Annakut offering a mountain of food symbolising gratitude was presented with devotion and women sang auspicious songs their voices echoing a legacy of generations In both rural and urban settings Govardhan Puja continues to serve as a living testament to Indias rich spiritual tapestryMoving east the celebration was equally grand at the ISKCON temple in Mecheda West Bengal Devotees gathered for a special Annakut Mahotsav and Govardhan Puja Prominent political leader and state opposition figure Subhendu Adhikari graced the occasion performing traditional cow worship and participating in devotional kirtans alongside hundreds of othersIn Raebareli Uttar Pradesh the temples especially the Radha Krishna Mandir buzzed with energy A grand idol of Lord Govardhan crafted from cow dung was adorned with 56 offerings continuing a tradition that has remained untouched for years Devotees thronged the temple offering prayers and food with unwavering devotionAlso in Beawar Rajasthan the cowherd community continued a tradition that dates back over a thousand years one that has withstood time colonisation and cultural shifts On Govardhan Puja the women prepare puri and kheer as offerings and craft a symbolic mountain from cow dung which is then beautifully decorated with flowers oil lamps and vibrant rangolis The men of the community perform the actual puja in keeping with customOne unique ritual in Beawar is particularly captivating unmarried young men attempt to pick up the puri offered as prasad using only their mouths a task believed to bring them luck in finding a life partner After the puja the Govardhan idol is respectfully covered with a cloth The celebrations formally conclude on Dev Uthani Ekadashi when a ceremonial bull is used to signify the end of the festivities paving the way for the wedding season to beginIn Tonk another town in Rajasthan rich with Nawabi heritage households also followed centuriesold customs Women crafted replicas of Govardhan using cow dung and prayed sincerely for their familys wellbeing and prosperity The shared sentiment across generations remained such devotion would invite joy and peace into their homesFar from the heartlands of north India the festival also took centre stage in Pune Maharashtra where thousands of Punekars came together for the vibrant Govardhan Pahat Diwali celebration Held at the historic Sarasbaug complex the event began as early as 5 am attracting crowds who braved the morning chill to witness a cultural spectacleThe atmosphere was electric with performances that blended tradition and creativity The Milap cultural program featured melodious Hindi and Marathi songs powerful Mardaani performances and dazzling folk dances that infused the Diwali morning with energy and emotion The sky lit up with colourful fireworks and the joyous celebration saw people exchange warm Diwali greetings amid tight security arrangements managed efficiently by the Pune PoliceThe puja is an important Hindu festival that occurs a day after Diwali It celebrates the Baal Roop child form of Lord Krishna and is also known as Annakut or Annakoot meaning a mountain of food On this day devotees worship Govardhan Parvat hill and offer 56 varieties of vegetarian food and sweets known as Chappan Bhog as an expression of gratitude and devotionThe festival symbolises the powerful bond of faith protection and divine grace between gods and devotees The story of Govardhan Puja teaches people to respect the forces of nature and to remember that as mortals we are deeply dependent on Mother Nature and must remain grateful for her blessings Lord Krishnas act of lifting the mountain and saving the villagers demonstrates that bhakti devotion is the purest way to connect with divinity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/govardhan-puja-celebrated-across-india-with-great-fervour-and-devotion-644332.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/consulate-general-of-india-in-osaka-gets-100-copies-of-bhagavad-gita-644335.html Chandigarh Oct 22 In a special programme organised by the Haryana government 100 copies of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Japanese edition were presented to the Consulate General of India in Osaka Chandru Appar The copies were formally handed over by Assistant Professor at Osaka University Vikas Pandey and Nikita who is currently residing in Tokyo On this occasion the Haryana governments Joint Director of the Department of Foreign Cooperation Heena Bindlish Advisor to the Chief Minister in the Department of Foreign Cooperation Pawan Choudhary honorary secretary of KDB Upender Singhal GM of the HSIIDC and Sanjay Garg also joined the event via video conference During the programme detailed discussions were held on spreading the eternal message of the Gita across Japan and other countries CGI Osaka Appar expressed interest in organising an online Gita learning course for Japanese students It is noteworthy that the International Gita Mahotsav will be celebrated in Kurukshetra the birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita from November 15 to December 5 During this period cultural and spiritual programmes will be organised in 51 countries On this occasion the Haryana delegation also requested CGI Osaka to ensure the participation of Japanese representatives in the International Gita Mahotsav and the upcoming Surajkund Mela under the cultural exchange programmes between the two nationsThe International Gita Mahotsav will showcase a divine confluence of spirituality culture and art The Gita Mahotsav has achieved immense success and popularity since 2016 Lakhs of people from India and abroad attend the Bhagavad Gita Mahotsav Last year approximately 45 to 50 lakh people participated and a similar turnout is expected this year For the first time in 2019 the International Gita Mahotsav was held in Mauritius and London followed by celebrations in Canada in September 2022 Australia in April 2023 and Sri Lanka and England in 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/consulate-general-of-india-in-osaka-gets-100-copies-of-bhagavad-gita-644335.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/op-sindoor-upheld-lord-rams-teachings-to-fight-injustice-says-pm-modi-in-letter-to-nation-on-diwali-644158.html New Delhi Oct 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended Diwali greetings to the people through a letter and drew a parallel between Lord Ram and Operation Sindoor He stated that just as Lord Ram teaches us to uphold dignity and righteousness he also inspires us to fight against injustice PM Modi said that India witnessed a powerful example of this philosophy a few months ago during Operation Sindoor in which the country upheld its dignity and avenged injusticeI extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Deepavali a festival filled with energy and enthusiasm This is the second Deepavali since the grand construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya Lord Shri Ram teaches us to uphold righteousness and also gives us the courage to fight injustice We saw a living example of this during Operation Sindoor During that operation Bharat not only upheld righteousness but also avenged injustice PM Modi said in his letterThis Deepavali is particularly special because for the first time lamps will be lit in many districts across the country including remote areas These are districts where Naxalism and Maoist terrorism have been eradicated at the root In recent times we have seen many individuals abandon the path of violence and join the mainstream of development placing their faith in the Constitution of our country This is a major achievement for the nation he addedAmid these historic milestones PM Modi also highlighted the governments recent economic reformsOn the first day of Navratri reduced GST rates were implemented During this GST Bachat Utsav Savings Festival citizens are saving thousands of crores of rupees he saidPM Modi also called for the adoption of Swadeshi products and a renewed sense of national prideIn a world going through multiple crises Bharat has emerged as a symbol of both stability and sensitivity We are also on track to become the thirdlargest economy in the world in the near future he saidIn this journey of a Viksit Developed and Aatmanirbhar Bharat SelfReliant India our primary responsibility as citizens is to fulfill our duties towards the nation Let us adopt Swadeshi local products and proudly say This is Swadeshi Let us promote the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Let us respect all languages Let us maintain cleanliness Let us prioritise our health Let us reduce the use of oil in our food by 10 per cent and embrace Yoga he urgedDeepavali teaches us that when one lamp lights another its light does not diminishit grows With that spirit let us light lamps of harmony cooperation and positivity in our society Once again wishing you all a very Happy Deepavali PM Modi added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/op-sindoor-upheld-lord-rams-teachings-to-fight-injustice-says-pm-modi-in-letter-to-nation-on-diwali-644158.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-seeks-probe-into-larger-conspiracy-in-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-644168.html Kochi Oct 21 The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the SIT to investigate whether a larger conspiracy was involved in the Sabarimala gold theft case It was the High Court which appointed the SIT early this month and gave six weeks to complete the probe and also instructed it to apprise the Court on the progress in the investigationOn Tuesday the SIT head appeared before a closed court room and he was asked about the progress of the investigationAccording to the preliminary investigation report evidence suggests that a conspiracy was indeed behind the gold theftThe Court is understood to have questioned why the investigation had not progressed further despite this findingThe SIT confirmed that the gold theft at Sabarimala was carried out as plannedThe case has been adjourned for further hearing on November 15The SIT has registered two separate FIRs and have arraigned 10 people as the accused with sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti as the first accusedAccording to the investigation progress report submitted to the High Court the theft was meticulously planned based on calculations regarding the gold offerings including the Dwarapalaka sculptures provided in 1998 by Vijay MallyaThe accused reportedly believed that replacing the gold with painted replicas would prevent detectionThe SIT informed the court that Potti has been arrested and additional arrests are expectedMeanwhile the SIT after questioning Anantha Subramaniam a friend of Potti for more than 10 hours was let off late Monday night and has been given a notice also that if needed he will have to report againIn 2019 Subramaniam reportedly transported the goldcovered Dwarapalaka sculpture pieces from Sabarimala to Bengaluru Investigators are also working to link other suspects including Nagesh and Kalpesh to the caseThe SIT is now going forward to summon the two Board officials who have now been suspended after their name figured in the list of accused IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-seeks-probe-into-larger-conspiracy-in-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-644168.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/post-diwali-aqi-in-punjab-haryana-drops-to-severe-hazardous-categories-644183.html Chandigarh Oct 21 After Diwali the air quality in most parts of Punjab and Haryana dropped to the severe and hazardous categories on Tuesday According to AQIin a platform monitoring air quality index AQI Chandigarh recorded poor air quality at 146 An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good 51 and 100 satisfactory 101 and 200 moderate 201 and 300 poor 301 and 400 very poor 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severe plusIn Punjab the AQI was registered at 209 in Ludhiana 225 in Amritsar 198 in Jalandhar 242 in Bathinda and 233 in Patiala In another agrarian state the AQI in Faridabad was 247 and 343 in Sonipat 201 in Karnal 328 in Bhiwani 247 in Jind and 279 in Charkhi Dadri Both Punjab and Haryana have been blamed for the rise in air pollution levels owing to farm firesHowever this year both Punjab and Haryana recorded much fewer farm fires compared to the previous years Punjab reported 45 incidents of stubble burning on Monday a slight decrease from the record 67 farm fires reported on October 19 the highest so far this seasonTarn Taran and Amritsar districts accounted for the majority of such cases according to the Punjab Pollution Control Board dataHaryana saw 30 farm fire cases till October 17 compared to 601 incidents during the same period last year The corresponding figures were 546 in 2023 330 in 2022 and 1026 in 2021 a consistent decline in the stubble burning practiceAs per districtwise data Jind has reported the highest number of cases nine followed by Sirsa and Sonepat with four each Faridabad three and Kaithal Panipat and Yamunanagar two eachStubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for the rise in air pollution in DelhiNCR A pollution expert blamed the spike in AQI in Chandigarh to winds circulating over Punjab and Haryana carrying pollution from nearby areas that passed through Chandigarh IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/post-diwali-aqi-in-punjab-haryana-drops-to-severe-hazardous-categories-644183.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/govardhan-puja-in-mathura-devotees-throng-dwarkadhish-temple-644193.html Mathura Oct 21 The holy festival of Govardhan Puja was celebrated with traditional fervour and devotion in the sacred city of Mathura Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday A special puja was organised at the citys renowned Dwarkadhish Temple where a large number of devotees gathered from early morning to participate in the rituals Govardhan Puja holds special significance in Mathura the land associated with Lord Krishnas divine pastimes as it commemorates the day when He lifted the Govardhan mountain on his little finger to protect the people of Braj from the wrath of Indra the god of rain In keeping with tradition devotees reverently made a replica of the Govardhan mountain using cow dung and worshipped it with rituals performed in the Dwarkadhish Temple complexThe puja is an important Hindu festival that occurs a day after Diwali It celebrates the Baal Roop child form of Lord Krishna and is also known as Annakut or Annakoot meaning a mountain of food On this day devotees worship Govardhan Parvat hill and offer 56 varieties of vegetarian food and sweets known as Chappan Bhog as an expression of gratitude and devotionThe festival symbolises the powerful bond of faith protection and divine grace between gods and devotees The story of Govardhan Puja teaches people to respect the forces of nature and to remember that as mortals we are deeply dependent on Mother Nature and must remain grateful for her blessings Lord Krishnas act of lifting the mountain and saving the villagers demonstrates that bhakti devotion is the purest way to connect with divinityAccording to the tale Lord Krishna lifted and sheltered all the living beings of Gokul under the massive Govardhan mountain The significance of Govardhan Puja lies in the unshakable belief of devotees in their Lord trusting that He will protect them in every crisis and against all oddsAs per the Vishnu Puran once young Krishna asked his mother Yashoda why the villagers worshipped Lord Indra She explained that Indra was the god responsible for bringing rain to Earth Krishna disagreed and urged the villagers to stop worshipping Indra and instead honour Mount Govardhan as it provided them with essential resources for their daily life The villagers agreed with Krishna who was highly respected for his wisdom and divine powerAngered by this Indra ordered Varuna Deva the god of rain to unleash a torrential downpour for seven days to punish the villagers Faced with severe flooding the people of Gokul turned to Krishna for help In response Krishna uprooted the Govardhan mountain and held it aloft on his little finger providing shelter to all humans animals and birdsAfter seven days of continuous storms Indra realised Krishnas divine nature and accepted defeat He acknowledged that the young boy was none other than an incarnation of Lord Vishnu Since then Govardhan Puja has been observed as a celebration of nature humility and divine protectionGovardhan Parvat has now become a major pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Krishna On the day of Annakut thousands of devotees perform the Parikrama a sacred 11mile circumambulation around the mountain offering flowers diyas lamps and food at the various shrines along the route IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/govardhan-puja-in-mathura-devotees-throng-dwarkadhish-temple-644193.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhis-air-pollution-levels-on-diwali-surge-to-dangerous-highs-report--644222.html New Delhi Oct 21 This Diwali surged to dangerous highs in the national capital with PM25 concentrations averaging 488 µgm3 post the festival of lights An analysis compiled by Climate Trends based on the data of the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB from 20212025 showed that Delhis air pollution levels on Diwali surged to dangerous highs with PM25 concentrations averaging 488 µgm3 postDiwali Over the fiveyear analysis data showed a consistent Diwalirelated pollution spike with PM25 values typically doubling or tripling during the festival of night and persisting through the next day Firecracker emissions remain the dominant cause of Delhis shortterm air quality collapse during the festive period What is particulate matter Airborne particulate matter PM is not a single pollutant but rather is a mixture of many chemical species It is a complex mixture of solids and aerosols composed of small droplets of liquid dry solid fragments and solid cores with liquid coatings The analysis says overall the data confirm a clear and consistent rise in PM25 levels around Diwali typically doubling or tripling from prefestival conditions and persisting into the following day Cooler nights and calm wind conditions during early winter months often lead to temperature inversion restricting vertical air mixing and trapping pollutants near the surface Evaluating hourly changes in PM25 and temperature patterns before during and after Diwali provides a clear picture of shortterm air quality deterioration and its relationship with local weather dynamics When examined together experts say PM25 and temperature data reveal a consistent pattern High emissions from fireworks and low nighttime temperatures jointly contribute to elevated PM25 concentrations The sharp postDiwali spikes indicate both sustained emissions and poor atmospheric dispersion Over the five years there is a slight downward trend in peak PM25 levels suggesting incremental improvement likely due to public awareness campaigns restrictions on fireworks and enforcement of pollution control measures Interestingly there is a 77 per cent decline in stubble burning incidents in 2025 compared to last year Responding to the analysis SK Dhaka Professor Rajdhani College with the University of Delhi said it is most likely that the high concentration of PM 25 is due to local emission of firecrackers in the different parts of the city on this auspicious Diwali festival night Wind speed is quite a low lower than one ms with a direction of north and northwest hence no chance to transport the pollutants from one place to another in a short span of a few hours of firecrackers burning he said Professor Dhaka said green firecrackers enhanced the particulate matter at a rapid rate and the pollution is of a local nature not transported from other places It suggests that we need to check the quality of the green firecrackers he added Aarti Khosla Director Climate Trends said that its disheartening that even after years of witnessing the harmful effects of burning firecrackers during Diwali people continue to deny the reality and repeat the same mistake As individuals we often overlook how severely this pollution impacts health especially that of children pregnant women the elderly and those who are unwell said Director Khosla IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhis-air-pollution-levels-on-diwali-surge-to-dangerous-highs-report--644222.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/post-diwali-aqi-in-punjab-haryana-drops-to-severe-hazardous-categories-644231.html Chandigarh Oct 21 After Diwali the air quality in most parts of Punjab and Haryana dropped to the severe and hazardous categories on Tuesday According to AQIin a platform monitoring air quality index AQI Chandigarh recorded poor air quality at 146 An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good 51 and 100 satisfactory 101 and 200 moderate 201 and 300 poor 301 and 400 very poor 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severe plusIn Punjab the AQI was registered at 209 in Ludhiana 225 in Amritsar 198 in Jalandhar 242 in Bathinda and 233 in Patiala In another agrarian state the AQI in Faridabad was 247 and 343 in Sonipat 201 in Karnal 328 in Bhiwani 247 in Jind and 279 in Charkhi Dadri Both Punjab and Haryana have been blamed for the rise in air pollution levels owing to farm firesHowever this year both Punjab and Haryana recorded much fewer farm fires compared to the previous years Punjab reported 45 incidents of stubble burning on Monday a slight decrease from the record 67 farm fires reported on October 19 the highest so far this seasonTarn Taran and Amritsar districts accounted for the majority of such cases according to the Punjab Pollution Control Board dataHaryana saw 30 farm fire cases till October 17 compared to 601 incidents during the same period last year The corresponding figures were 546 in 2023 330 in 2022 and 1026 in 2021 a consistent decline in the stubble burning practiceAs per districtwise data Jind has reported the highest number of cases nine followed by Sirsa and Sonepat with four each Faridabad three and Kaithal Panipat and Yamunanagar two eachStubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for the rise in air pollution in DelhiNCR A pollution expert blamed the spike in AQI in Chandigarh to winds circulating over Punjab and Haryana carrying pollution from nearby areas that passed through Chandigarh IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/post-diwali-aqi-in-punjab-haryana-drops-to-severe-hazardous-categories-644231.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/nfr-operates-613-special-train-trips-to-accommodate-festive-rush-644110.html Guwahati Oct 20 To manage the heavy rush of passengers and devotees during Diwali and the upcoming Chhath Puja the Northeast Frontier Railway NFR has been operating 48 festival special trains for 613 trips overall in its jurisdiction between September and December officials said on Monday NFRs Chief Public Relations Officer CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that to manage the massive passenger rush during Diwali and Chhath Puja this year the NFR has been operating 48 festival special trains for 613 trips overall across various routes between September and December He said that these special trains have been connecting important destinations including Katihar Sonpur Dauram Madhepura Agartala New Tinsukia SMVT Bengaluru Amritsar Patna Dibrugarh Gorakhpur Silchar Kolkata Guwahati Ranchi Charlapalli Mumbai Central Agra Cantt Jogbani Shalimarand Kamakhya and many others The train services are provided on daily weekly triweekly or specific weekdays as per operational feasibility and existing demand Running of these special trains will help clear extra rush of passengers travelling to and from various areas like Northeast North Bengal and Bihar the CPRO said The NFR authority advised the passengers to check detailed timings stoppages and coach compositions from the official Railway sources before planning their journey While Chhath Puja is celebrated in most of the Northeastern states every year during the Diwali and Kali Puja festivals lakhs of devotees from across India including foreign tourists visit the 524yearold Tripura Sundari temple at Udaipur in southern Tripuras Gomati district and the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati Both temples are Shakti Peethas revered by Hindus The Northeast Frontier Railway NFR operates in the Northeastern states and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar with more than 7362 Track Kilometres TKM in its jurisdiction IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/nfr-operates-613-special-train-trips-to-accommodate-festive-rush-644110.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/wishing-happiness-prosperity-to-all-prez-murmu-pm-modi-extend-diwali-greetings-643968.html New Delhi Oct 20 President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended Diwali greetings to the countrymen and wished for happiness and prosperity for all Diwali is known as the festival of lights symbolising the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma light over darkness good over evil and knowledge over ignorance It is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country where people light diyas and candles and offer prayers to Lord LakshmiIn a statement President Murmu said On the auspicious occasion of Diwali I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all Indians both in India and across the worldCelebrated across the country with immense fervour the auspicious occasion of Diwali gives the message of mutual affection and brotherhood On this day devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi the deity of wealth and prosperity she saidThe President further said that this festival of joy is also an occasion for selfreflection and selfimprovement and an opportunity to help and support the deprived and the needy and to bring joy in their livesI urge everyone to celebrate Diwali safely responsibly and in an environmentally friendly manner May this Diwali bring happiness peace and prosperity to all she addedPM Modi also took to social media and extended warm wishes on DiwaliGreetings on the occasion of Diwali May this festival of lights illuminate our lives with harmony happiness and prosperity May the spirit of positivity prevail all around us he said in a post on XUnion Home Minister Amit Shah wishing the countrymen posted on X Heartfelt Diwali greetings to all on this festival of lights and joy I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the health and prosperity of allUnion Health Minister JP Nadda taking to X posted I extend my heartfelt wishes of Alok Purb Diwali to all fellow countrymen On this sacred occasion of Deepotsav may the darkness of ignorance be dispelled by the light of knowledge in everyones life and I wish you a life filled with happiness progress and auspiciousnessI pray to Mother Mahalakshmi Ji that she bestows happiness prosperity and good health upon all Happy Diwali he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/wishing-happiness-prosperity-to-all-prez-murmu-pm-modi-extend-diwali-greetings-643968.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 08:42:00 +0530