Deras like Sacha Sauda made the poor feel secure, cared for, loved, provided a support system and gave them dignity, says Sanjeev Nayyar.
If we accept that there is a challenge in Punjab today, any realistic progress can only be made if the rest of the country, especially the government and the ruling party, engage with this sense of grievance, points out Shekhar Gupta
A local court on Thursday dismissed the case of alleged blasphemy against Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and hurting sentiments of Sikhs in 2007. District and Sessions Judge Tejinder Singh accepted the report submitted by the state seeking dismissal of the case.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MP from Hyderabad, chanted "Jai Bheem, Jai Meem, Takbeer Allahu Akbar, Jai Hind", after members from the ruling side shouted slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'.
A look at few gurus who have attracted controversy in recent times.
Various Sikh leaders on Friday hailed the decision of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion, which annulled its edict of pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda Sect Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
State govt said it is not averse to seeking Army's help to maintain law and order.
Shubir Rishi/Rediff.com speaks to rockstar saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insaan days before the release of the sequel, MSG 2.
Sikh organisations, including hardline groups, gathered to take part in 'Sarbat Khalsa', seeking to free Sikh institutions from political influence.
This is only the second endorsement in the baba-led space by a celebrity after wrestler Sushil Kumar featured in an ad last year for Patanjali Ghee.
'Merely keeping low price may help in the lower segment initially but people have become much more aware and careful about their health and it will eventually determine value for money.'
A look at few gurus who have attracted controversy in recent times.
The controversy over Sant Rampal and his army of followers taking the law into their hands has once again thrown the spotlight on the clout that India's godmen possess.
Speaking at a function in Varanasi on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti, she urged the audience to take the teachings of the saint to the masses. "He (Sant Ravidas) had dreamt of a society, where there is no discrimination and where every person is respected. You all should take forward his teachings to the masses, especially at a time, when there is so much violence and hatred in the society. His teachings are need of the hour," Priyanka Gandhi said.
It is as much about farmer woes and the lack of job opportunities as about the mixing of religion and politics.
Be it consumer products, lifestyle or entertainment, spiritual gurus are stepping into business and are finding success
The high-voltage campaign for the February 4 assembly elections in Punjab came to an end on Thursday evening following hectic campaigning by various political parties.
How many of these have aged well?
The results for the bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Telangana, Maharashtra, Punjab and Tripura were announced on Tuesday.
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