Religion Belief

Rajasthan Cabinet approves Anti-Conversion bill against forced conversions

According to Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, the bill proposes severe punishments, including imprisonment from 1 to 5 years, to crack down on forced conversions

Rajasthan govt to introduce bill against forceful religious conversions

The BJP government in Rajasthan is set to introduce a bill in the upcoming Assembly session to stop forceful religious conversions in the state, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said on Saturday. The bill was approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bajanlal Sharma. Patel said the bill proposes that if someone wants to convert to another religion, the person will have to give an application to the district magistrate 60 days in advance. "The district magistrate will examine whether or not it is a forceful conversion," he said, adding if it is found that the conversion is not forced or under any temptation, then the applicant will be allowed to go ahead with it. Talking to reporters after the meeting, the state parliamentary affairs minister said, "The government has decided to bring a bill in the upcoming assembly session to stop forceful religious conversion in the state. The bill has provisions of punishment in different categories, from one year to 10

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

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

Set up old-age homes at places of religious importance in MP: CM Yadav

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has directed the administration to set up old-age homes at places of religious importance in the state, including Ujjain, Orchha, Omkareshwar and Chitrakoot. He also asked it to provide all the facilities required for the elderly people and reserve beds in hospitals for the individuals residing in old-age homes. The chief minister celebrated Diwali with the inmates of Anand Dham old-age home here on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, he said, "Parents are considered next to God. Though my parents have gone to Devlok (heaven), by coming to Anand Dham, I feel that I am with my parents only." According to an official, the chief minister directed the social justice and empowerment department to set up old-age homes at places of religious importance, like Ujjain, Orchha, Omkareshwar and Chitrakoot with all necessary facilities for the elderly persons. CM Yadav also directed officials to reserve beds in hospitals for elderly persons residing in

Trilochan Sastry's book explores faith, conflict, and search for harmony

How does one find harmony in the discordant notes of a practice that ignites wars and justifies genocide, all in the name of God? That is exactly what this book seeks to explore

Derogatory remarks against deities of any religion unacceptable: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said derogatory remarks against deities, great men or saints belonging to any religion or sect are unacceptable and those doing so will be "punished vigorously", remarks that come in the backdrop of Dasna temple priest Yati Narsinghanand's remarks against Prophet Muhammad. Reviewing the law and order situation with the chief secretary, DGP and other officials, the chief minister also said that "anarchy, vandalism or arson in the name of protest is not acceptable" and whoever dares to do this will have to pay the price for it". The chief minister stressed that faith of every sect and religion should be respected. "Every citizen should have a sense of gratitude towards great men, but this cannot be forced and cannot be imposed on anyone," Adityanath said in a statement issued here. "If any person tampers with faith, makes derogatory remarks against the faith of great men, deities, sect etc., then he will be brought under the purv

Kashmiri activist raises concern over persecution of minorities in Pak

His address comes as international scrutiny over Pakistan's human rights record, particularly regarding its treatment of minority communities, continues to grow

Govts must protect every religion, says NC president Farooq Abdullah

India is known for unity in diversity and governments must protect every religion, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said here on Saturday, a day after the Assam Assembly scrapped a two-hour 'namaz' break provided to Muslim legislators on Fridays. Abdullah said nothing is permanent and things will change when the time comes. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said on Friday that the state assembly would discontinue the two-hour break provided on Fridays to facilitate Muslim legislators to offer 'namaz'. The rule will be implemented from the next session. "This country is known for unity in diversity. We have every religion and every language, be it Tamil Nadu, Kashmir, Bengal or Maharashtra,? any state, every state has a different culture and that is why India is a federal structure and we have to protect every religion. "When the time comes, it will change. Nothing is permanent. Good things will prevail again. We will tell them, let our government come,

Assam's future at risk as Hindu-Muslim population balance eroding: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the future of the state is "not secure" as the population balance between Hindus and Muslims is declining fast. Hoisting the Tri-Colour here, Sarma also said that the indigenous people have gone in a defensive mode due to demographic change in Assam as "we are a minority in 12-13 districts". "The future of Assam is not secure for us. The Hindu-Muslim population balance is declining fast. The Muslim population in 2021 rose to 41 per cent, while the Hindus were down to 57 per cent. The rest is shared by Christians and other communities," he claimed. In his official speech on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day, the CM asserted that the Hindu population is slowly going down to 50 per cent from 60-65 per cent. "In such a crisis phase, I am trying to bring back the population balance. I request all Hindus, Muslims and others to follow the family planning norms. We should be aware against polygamy by all sections of the ...

Sawan Shivratri 2024: All you need to know about this important festival

Sawan Shivratri is more than just a religious festival; it is also a deeply spiritual and cultural event that bonds devotees and increases their faith in the divine presence of Lord Shiva

Kanwar Yatra 2024: Significance, routes, guidelines & all you need to know

The arduous Kanwar Yatra, undertaken as part of worshipping Lord Shiva, is considered an act of faith and devotion and symbolises the eternal bond between devotees and the deity

India's tradition is Hindus, Muslims living, working together: Amartya Sen

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Saturday said India has the tradition of Hindus and Muslims working and living together in cohesion. Sen, a noted economist, was speaking at a programme at the Alipore Jail Museum to foster book-reading habits among underprivileged youth. "Going by the history of our country, Hindus and Muslims have been working together in harmony in perfect coordination and synergy for ages. This is 'Juktosadhana' as underscored by Kshitimohan Sen in his book. We need to stress on this idea of 'Juktosadhana' in our present times," he said. In this context, he flagged the word "religious tolerance", saying that should not be the sole emphasis. "It is not merely like allowing the other community to live and not beat up anybody. Perhaps that has become a necessity in the present situation as people are being beaten up. But most crucial is to work together," he added. Sen, who is known for his liberal views, said that children need not be inculcated with the values of .

90 Indians among over 1,000 Hajj pilgrims dead in Mecca amid intense heat

Deaths among Egyptians had surged to at least 658, a significant increase from the previous day's 300, largely due to the oppressive heat

Vat Savitri 2024: Here's date, history, significance, all you need to know

Vat Savitri 2024 Vrat is celebrated every year by married Hindu women. On this day, women observe fast and pray to a banyan tree for the good health of their husbands

No illegal religious places be permitted on govt land, says Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has directed that no illegal religious places should be permitted on government land, irrespective of the religion. The High Court said that God is "omnipotent" and is everywhere, including in the bodies of believers, their homes and wherever they go. "Therefore, the believers need not encroach upon government land to construct religious structures. Let it be distributed to landless people and used for mankind. God will be more happy in such a situation and will shower blessings on all believers," Justice P V Kunhikrishnan said. The direction and observations by the court came on a plea by the Plantation Corporation of Kerala Ltd seeking directions to the state government, police and Pathanamthitta district authorities to identify the properties leased to it and evict all the encroachers from there. Allowing the Corporation's plea, the court directed the authorities to identify the properties leased to it and "evict all encroachers including illegal religious

Engaged with India, other nations for equal treatment for all faiths: US

The Biden administration is deeply committed to promoting and protecting universal respect for the right to freedom of religion and has engaged many countries, including India, on the importance of equal treatment for members of all religious communities, a senior US official has said. We have engaged many countries, including India, on the importance of equal treatment for members of all religious communities, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference on Monday. Miller was responding to a question on a New York Times story titled Strangers in Their Own Land: Being Muslim in Modi's India which alleges that the world's largest Muslim community in India is raising their families and children with fear and uncertainty. Have you engaged with the Indian officials in these issues? Miller was asked. I won't speak to private diplomatic conversations but we are deeply committed to promoting and protecting universal respect for the right to free

The Indian mosaic

The essays in this collection interrogate what it means to be "Indian" and how these identities often involve a level of paradoxical disconnect between formal mandates and actual practices

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

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

Don't seek votes on basis of caste, religion, language: EC to parties

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission on Friday asked parties and their leaders to refrain from seeking votes on the basis of caste, religion and language, and not insult the devotee-deity relation or make any suggestion of a divine censure. In an advisory warning the parties, candidates and star campaigners of stern action for any violation of Model Code of Conduct instead of the previous practice of only 'moral censure', the poll panel also said that temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras or any other place of worship should not be used for poll propaganda or electioneering. It said that the star campaigners and candidates who have received notices in past will face stern action for repeat violation of model code. The advisory comes days before the model code is expected to come into effect with the announcement of the Lok Sabha and four state assembly polls later this month, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had recently emphasised that political parties sho

200 fall ill after consuming 'prasad' at religious event, condition stable

In a case of suspected food poisoning, around 200 people fell ill after consuming 'prasad' during a religious programme at Lonar in Maharashtra's Buldhana district, officials said on Wednesday. The incident took place on Tuesday night during the 'Harinam Saptah', a week-long religious event, at Somthana village in Lonar taluka, Buldhana district collector Kiran Patil told PTI. "Around 200 villagers complained of nausea and vomiting after consuming prasad during the function. While 142 of them were admitted to the rural hospital at Bibi, 20 others in Lonar and 35 patients to a facility in Mehkar," he said. The condition of all the patients was stable and most of them were discharged on Wednesday, Patil added. A team of doctors has been deployed in the village with an ambulance and other necessary equipment in case a medical emergency arises, he said. "Samples of prasad have been sent to a laboratory for analysis and an inquiry will be initiated," the collector said.