Sivagiri Mutt head Swami Sachidananda has requested greater representation for MLAs from backward class communities in the UDF government's Cabinet.
Vummidi Ethiraj, the renowned jeweller instrumental in crafting India's historic 'sengol' sceptre, has passed away at the age of 99. His demise has drawn condolences from President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all acknowledging his significant contribution to India's civilisational heritage through his craftsmanship.
The Congress party faced a significant defeat in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, losing all four seats contested. The opposition alliance of BJP and JD(S) secured all segments, with JD(S) wresting one from Congress and BJP retaining three. This outcome, while not affecting government stability, is seen as a moral victory for the opposition and a test of their coordination.
Counting of votes has commenced for Legislative Council seats across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka, with significant political implications ahead of upcoming electoral battles. The elections saw varied turnouts and intense contests between ruling alliances and opposition parties.
The NDA alliance secured 16 out of 28 legislative council seats across four states, while the Congress managed to win only one seat. The Samajwadi Party made significant gains in Uttar Pradesh, and the Jan Suraaj Party opened its account in Bihar. The results show mixed fortunes for major parties, with notable setbacks for the BJP in Nagpur and the Congress in Karnataka.
Sivagiri Mutt head Swami Satchidananda has voiced concerns over the lack of adequate representation for backward communities in elections by political parties in Kerala, India. He also welcomed the Kerala High Court decision disqualifying the leadership of the SNDP Yogam.
Mention Anant Nag to almost anyone in Karnataka and the reaction is immediate: 'Anant? Oh my God! What a fascinating man!' 'Such an intellectual. Such a great speaker. Brilliant actor.'
Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Ram temple construction committee, has dismissed a viral unsigned letter attributed to former trust general secretary Champat Rai as "fabricated." The letter purportedly details Misra's significant role and influence in the temple's construction and management, including agency selection and committee decisions, but its authenticity remains unverified.
A crucial meeting of around 250 seers and VHP functionaries in Ayodhya will address issues concerning the Ram temple, including ensuring adherence to Vaishnav-Ramanandi traditions, restoring devotee confidence after an alleged donation theft, and deliberating on the Trust's management. The meeting follows deferred decisions by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on key appointments.
The Nirmohi Akhara has approached the Supreme Court, seeking a directive to the Centre to reconstitute the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Theerth Kshetra Trust as a 'public trust' and include structural safeguards for oversight by seers, citing alleged large-scale embezzlement of donations.
'In the (election) affidavit, he had declared Rs 1,400 crores as his assets. He has educational institutions, real estate, malls, etc.'
The Supreme Court of India has emphasised the importance of open access to all temples and 'maths' for everyone, warning that excluding any denomination would negatively impact Hinduism and divide society. This statement was made during hearings on petitions related to discrimination against women at religious sites and the scope of religious freedom.
Kerala's Chief Minister-designate, V D Satheesan, has announced his new ministerial team, emphasising social and regional balance within the coalition. Senior leaders like Ramesh Chennithala and K Muraleedharan are set to be inducted, with Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan nominated as Speaker.
Maheshgiri alias Mahesh Dilip Kakde, who claimed to have divine powers, allegedly told them that she had been affected by 'Karni' (black magic) and asked them to perform certain rituals, an official said.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), managing the Sabarimala temple, argued in the Supreme Court that religious beliefs should be judged subjectively by the community, as the court hears petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that the Indian government is actively working to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens stranded in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the volatile situation and the government's commitment to their safety.
"Let the religious people deal with it," the Supreme Court said on Friday while refusing to entertain a plea against an Andhra Pradesh high court order holding that the state of Andhra Pradesh had no authority under law to appoint an executive officer to the Ahobilam mutt temple.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was also in Karnataka on Thursday to take part in a programme for the 115th birth anniversary of Sri Shivakumara Swamiji at the Siddaganaga Mutt in Tumakuru.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor addresses concerns about his recent statements, asserting his alignment with the party's principles and goals.
Information regarding all properties belonging to temples, mutts and trusts have to be uploaded on the website of the BSRTC by the district administrations within 15 days, he said.
Even if D K Shivakumar wanted to oust Siddaramaiah, whose support would he take?
The shrewd politician that he is, Siddaramaiah figured his rival had no option but to lump it, points out Aditi Phadnis.
President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, becoming the first woman head of state to visit the shrine. She participated in traditional rituals and ceremonies during her visit.
'Repeated adjournments are one of the largest contributors to lengthy litigation cycles.'
The police said an aged woman had even called her grandson using Shariq's phone.
Stirring up controversy, a Lingayat seer on Monday alleged that mutts (monasteries) are equally affected due to rampant corruption prevailing in Karnataka as they too pay a commission of 30 per cent to get the sanctioned grants released for them.
Spies, aliens, dogs and lawyers, it's quite a colourful spread on your OTT watch this week, points out Sukanya Verma.
Since a chargesheet has been filed in the Sankararaman murder case, the bail conditions prohibiting his entry into the mutt no longer apply, police said.
Chief pontiff of Murugha Math Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, who has been arrested for alleged sexual abuse of two minor girls, was on Friday remanded to police custody till September 5.
Vijayendra Saraswathi, 48, had become the 70th acharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam on May 29, 1983.
Faith and law clash at the powerful Ganeshwar Mutt in northern Karnataka as a spate of deaths, including that of the mutt head Sadguru Ganeshwar Avadhoota Swami, have raised eyebrows. Vicky Nanjappa reports
The police questioned two Kanchi Mutt officials in connection with the assault on former Mutt official Radhakrishnan
Sundaresa Iyer is a confidant of incarcerated Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati, who is the prime accused in the murder of temple official Sankararaman and the assault on former mutt employee Radhakrishnan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited the Sivagiri Mutt, a revered spiritual centre established in Varkala, Kerala by the renowned 20th century saint-social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, and paid respects at his samadhi.
Self-styled godman Swami Nithyananda has been sacked by the senior pontiff as his successor of a 1500-year-old Saivaite Mutt in Madurai. Nityananda faces charges of rape and sexual harassment by some of his former devotees.
The burial ceremony was performed in the presence of Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, the junior pontiff of the Mutt and some close family relatives of the late seer.
Thousands of people participated in a 'silent march' in Kolhapur on Sunday, demanding that 36-year-old female elephant Mahadevi (also called Madhuri), be brought back from Vantara wildlife rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar district.
Raghu has been charged with murder and conspiracy.
The Supreme Court on Monday granted him bail in the Sankararaman murder case with the condition that he will not visit the Kanchi mutt till investigations in the case are over.
