News for 'Sanatan Dharma'

Non-veg food vendors assaulted at Gita recital in Kolkata, Mamata fumes

Non-veg food vendors assaulted at Gita recital in Kolkata, Mamata fumes

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the BJP following an assault on food vendors at a Bhagavad Gita recital event in Kolkata, asserting that the state would not tolerate intimidation, communal division, or attempts to dictate dietary choices. She vowed stringent action against those responsible and accused the BJP of trying to import a culture of communal division and weaponize religious texts for political mobilization.

No regrets, support Yogi: Lawyer who hurled shoe at CJI

No regrets, support Yogi: Lawyer who hurled shoe at CJI

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Rakesh Kishore said that he was hurt by the CJI's remarks while dismissing a plea seeking restoration of the structure of Lord Vishnu in the Javari temple in Khajuraho.

Ancient temples 'converted' into mosques be vacated, demands Akhara chief

Ancient temples 'converted' into mosques be vacated, demands Akhara chief

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

The president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Mahant Ravindra Puri, has demanded the evacuation of mosques built on ancient temples across India. Puri, who is also the president of the Mansa Devi Temple Trust in Haridwar, claims that around 80% of mosques in India are built on temples and that their domes resemble those of temples. He has appealed to Muslims to hand over such structures to Hindus and has called for the formation of a "Sanatan Board" to protect Hindu religious institutions. Puri also denied banning Muslims from attending the Maha Kumbh Mela, saying that they are welcome to visit and learn about Hinduism.

Posters warn non-Hindus to keep off Varanasi ghats, probe ordered

Posters warn non-Hindus to keep off Varanasi ghats, probe ordered

Rediff.com7 Jan 2022

Posters asking non-Hindus to stay away from the ghats of the Ganga and the temples along the river came up in Varanasi, prompting the police to launch a probe.

Was tortured to name Modi in Malegaon blast case: Pragya Thakur

Was tortured to name Modi in Malegaon blast case: Pragya Thakur

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

Former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, alleges torture by investigating officers and pressure to implicate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent figures.

Etawah tonsure: 'All Hindus have right to recite Bhagavad Katha'

Etawah tonsure: 'All Hindus have right to recite Bhagavad Katha'

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

In response to the recent incident in Etawah where a non-Brahmin kathavachak (religious storyteller) was allegedly assaulted and tonsured, the Kashi Vidvat Parishad, a prestigious council of Sanskrit scholars and experts on Hindu scriptures, has issued a strong statement defending the rights of all Hindus to recite and narrate the Bhagavad Katha.

'Lord Ram Will Protect The Constitution'

'Lord Ram Will Protect The Constitution'

Rediff.com8 Feb 2024

'Rama is Lord God of maryada. Today's maryada is the Constitution.'

Islam Arab religion, here everyone was Hindu: MP bureaucrat

Islam Arab religion, here everyone was Hindu: MP bureaucrat

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

He further said that people were converted from Hindus to Muslims and appealed Muslims to reconsider whoever considers Arabs as ideal.

Yoga should be done in mosques but not...: Muslim cleric

Yoga should be done in mosques but not...: Muslim cleric

Rediff.com22 Jun 2025

"I have supported yoga but opposed Surya Namaskar. Muslims cannot perform Surya Namaskar. Surya Namaskar is an act within yoga. Every man and woman should do yoga. Yoga should be done in madrasas and mosques too. But Surya Namaskar is bowing to the sun, worshipping the sun. Islam forbids all these things."

Haridwar hate speech accused Tyagi says his life is in danger

Haridwar hate speech accused Tyagi says his life is in danger

Rediff.com1 Sep 2022

Haridwar hate speech accused Jitendra Narayan Tyagi, who has been asked by the Supreme Court to surrender by September 2, said his life is in danger and he may be killed in a suicide attack.

Udhayanidhi Stalin And The Sound of Silence

Udhayanidhi Stalin And The Sound of Silence

Rediff.com11 Oct 2024

Tamil Nadu's Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has reacted to Andhra Pradesh counterpart Pawan Kalyan's out-of-turn taunts with a one-liner, 'Let's wait', and thereby hangs a tale, notes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Rioters are like demons, will be crushed, says Yogi

Rioters are like demons, will be crushed, says Yogi

Rediff.com28 Sep 2025

"You have seen that in Islam, it is said that they oppose 'bootparastee' (idol worship). It is their matter and their philosophy. We perform idol worship. We worship the 'saakaar brahma' and the 'niraakaar brahma', which is allowed by the Sanatan Dharma.... Some are saying 'I Love Mohammad' and indulging in arson and vandalism." "They know that this is Sharadiya Navratra, the occasion of Vijaya Dashami. If they spread chaos during the Sharadiya Navratra, work like 'Chundd' and 'Mundd', then Goddess Bhagwati is not going to tolerate it. Goddess Bhagwati crushes such 'Chundd' and 'Mundd'," Adityanath said.

JCBs used to remove dead bodies after Kumbh stampede: Akhilesh's big claim

JCBs used to remove dead bodies after Kumbh stampede: Akhilesh's big claim

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Indian government of hiding the number of deaths in the stampede at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Yadav demanded strict action against those involved in covering up the "mis-management" of the event and called for an all-party meeting to discuss the arrangements. He also criticized the government's handling of the stampede, claiming that they used JCB machines and tractor trollies to clear the bodies lying around after the incident.

BJP MP smells 'conspiracy' behind Maha Kumbh stampede

BJP MP smells 'conspiracy' behind Maha Kumbh stampede

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

Prasad hit out at the Opposition, alleging that it starts getting upset the moment it hears "Kumbh" or "Sanatan".

Sai Baba should NOT be worshipped as deity: Dharma Sansad

Sai Baba should NOT be worshipped as deity: Dharma Sansad

Rediff.com26 Aug 2014

A two-day-long 'Dharma Sansad' convened by the Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati of Dwarka Peeth has passed a resolution that Sai Baba, the 19th century saint from Shirdi, should not be worshipped as a deity by the followers of 'Sanatan Dharma'.

'Society Knows Mamta Kulkarni's Past'

'Society Knows Mamta Kulkarni's Past'

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

'Suddenly, she arrives in India, participates in the Maha Kumbh and is given the position of Mahamandleshwar.' 'This needs investigation.'

Maha Kumbh: 2 cr take 'Amrit Snan'; no rush for Sangam Nose

Maha Kumbh: 2 cr take 'Amrit Snan'; no rush for Sangam Nose

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

The Maha Kumbh witnessed its third grand 'Amrit Snan' on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees from across the globe, all seeking spiritual liberation through the sacred dip, which was going on smoothly, officials said.

Mamta Kulkarni Gets Into Trouble Again

Mamta Kulkarni Gets Into Trouble Again

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Rishi Ajay Das, the founder of Kinnar Akhada, has expelled both Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from the Akhada.

'Occasion inauspicious': Digvijaya urges PM to defer Ayodhya event

'Occasion inauspicious': Digvijaya urges PM to defer Ayodhya event

Rediff.com3 Aug 2020

'For the convenience of Modiji this inauspicious muhurat was fixed'

Court rejects FIR plea over MF Husain's paintings row

Court rejects FIR plea over MF Husain's paintings row

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

A Delhi court refused to order an FIR on a complaint alleging that two paintings by late artist M F Husain hurt religious sentiments, stating that no further investigation was required. The court, however, issued notice to the Delhi Art Gallery for a complaint case hearing on February 12. The paintings, featuring Hindu deities Hanuman and Ganesh, were seized by the police earlier this month following the complaint. The complainant, advocate Amita Sachdeva, argued that the paintings insulted the revered deities and constituted obscenity.

'You Have To Respect The Soul Of India'

'You Have To Respect The Soul Of India'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2024

'Bharat is the core value that has to be lived by and if you deny it, then the people will discard you.'

Ram temple on Muslim graveyard? Lawyer writes to trust

Ram temple on Muslim graveyard? Lawyer writes to trust

Rediff.com18 Feb 2020

Shamshad said according to Muslims, there is a graveyard known as 'Ganj Shahidan' around the demolished Babri Masjid where 75 Muslims who lost their lives in the 1885 riots in Ayodhya were buried.

INDIA bloc blacklists 14 TV anchors for spreading hatred, BJP cries foul

INDIA bloc blacklists 14 TV anchors for spreading hatred, BJP cries foul

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

The opposition alliance INDIA on Thursday announced that it will boycott shows of 14 television anchors on several platforms, a decision the Bharatiya Janata Party compared with the Emergency.

Will Udhayanidhi Stalin lead DMK in 2026 Tamil Nadu polls?

Will Udhayanidhi Stalin lead DMK in 2026 Tamil Nadu polls?

Rediff.com29 Sep 2024

The party, rallying in his support, campaigned that national icons like Periyar EV Ramasamy, Dr BR Ambedkar and Naryana Guru had spoken against discrimination including those based on a person's birth. That the Sanatan Dharma controversy cut no electoral ice in Tamil Nadu was also seen as a success for Udhayanidhi.

Another former spokesperson quits Congress, joins BJP

Another former spokesperson quits Congress, joins BJP

Rediff.com11 Apr 2024

Gupta, along with some other leaders, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and the party's national general secretary Vinod Tawde.

Muslim men can wear 'tarpaulin hijab' on Holi: UP minister

Muslim men can wear 'tarpaulin hijab' on Holi: UP minister

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

A BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh has sparked controversy by suggesting that Muslim men cover themselves with tarpaulins to avoid being sprinkled with colors on Holi. The remarks, made by Raghuraj Singh, come days after a police officer in Sambhal made similar comments. The festival of Holi coincides with the second Friday of the month of Ramzan this year, leading to concerns about potential clashes. The controversy has fueled tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities in the state, highlighting the sensitive nature of religious festivals in India.

Unfair for Modi to target Udhayanidhi: Stalin defends son

Unfair for Modi to target Udhayanidhi: Stalin defends son

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

Pro-BJP forces, unable to tolerate Udhayanidhi's stance against oppressive principles, have spread a false narrative, alleging he called for the genocide of people with Sanatan thoughts, Stalin said in a statement and wondered why Prime Minister Narendra Modi would also join those targeting the Tamil Nadu minister.

Cong under fire as K'taka leader alleges 'love jihad' after daughter's murder

Cong under fire as K'taka leader alleges 'love jihad' after daughter's murder

Rediff.com20 Apr 2024

BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde sought to draw a parallel between Karnataka's handling of Neha Hiremath's killing to the way West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allegedly shielded the Sandeshkhali case accused Shajahan Sheikh.

C'garh headmaster held for asking people not to worship Hindu gods

C'garh headmaster held for asking people not to worship Hindu gods

Rediff.com29 Jan 2024

On January 22, when the consecration of Ram Lalla's idol was held at the Ayodhya temple, Sarovar gathered a group of people including children in Mohtarai village under Ratanpur police station limits.

After Dharma Sansad diktat, Sai Baba idol removed from Valsad temple

After Dharma Sansad diktat, Sai Baba idol removed from Valsad temple

Rediff.com27 Aug 2014

A Sai Baba idol was moved from a temple in Valsad and kept 'safe' in the basement after a resolution to this effect was passed in the recently concluded Dharma Sansad (Religious Convention) held in Chhattisgarh.

Sambhal predates Islam, Vishnu temple destroyed in 1526: Yogi

Sambhal predates Islam, Vishnu temple destroyed in 1526: Yogi

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that forcibly seizing someone's faith and trampling over their beliefs is "unacceptable," especially "when we know the truth about Sambhal" which predates Islam, with the Vishnu temple there being destroyed in 1526. He said that Sambhal has been mentioned in scriptures that are 5,000 years old, which contain references to Lord Vishnu's future incarnation. He also mentioned that a temple of Lord Vishnu in Sambhal was demolished in 1526, and two years later, in 1528, the Ram temple in Ayodhya was destroyed, both acts carried out by the same person.

Shah takes holy dip in Triveni Sangam at Maha Kumbh

Shah takes holy dip in Triveni Sangam at Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a dip at the Triveni Sangam in Mahakumbh Nagar on Monday and described the Maha Kumbh as a unique symbol of the Sanatan culture's philosophy, which is rooted in harmony.

Plea claims mosque in UP's Badaun is site of Shiva temple

Plea claims mosque in UP's Badaun is site of Shiva temple

Rediff.com3 Sep 2022

Civil judge (senior division) Vijay Gupta took up the matter on Friday and directed the Intezamia Committee managing the Shamsi Jama Masjid to present its side on September 15, when the court will next hear the matter.

Are We A Nation With A Wayward Moral Compass?

Are We A Nation With A Wayward Moral Compass?

Rediff.com3 Sep 2024

'Violence is the human abuse of power and rape is one of its worst manifestations.' 'Especially, the R G Kar kind, which allegedly involves not just brutal rape and murder but also destruction of evidence, complicity of authorities, suppression of protests, people willing to defend the indefensible and a shameful persistence of all involved to hold on to their seats of power,' asserts Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).

Puri is the only Jagannath Dham: Odisha objects to Bengal's temple naming

Puri is the only Jagannath Dham: Odisha objects to Bengal's temple naming

Rediff.com2 May 2025

Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra, who was the chief priest during the inauguration of the Jagannath Temple at Digha on April 30, on Friday joined the voices demanding withdrawal of the 'Jagannath Dham' phrase attached to the new temple in West Bengal.

A non-sanatani was made Kumbh in-charge: Yogi slams SP

A non-sanatani was made Kumbh in-charge: Yogi slams SP

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath slammed the opposition Samajwadi Party over the 2013 Kumbh Mela arrangements, accusing the then chief minister Akhilesh Yadav of appointing a "non-Sanatani " as the in-charge of the religious congregation in Prayagraj. Adityanath highlighted the presence of dignitaries, including the President, Prime Minister, and heads of state from 74 countries, at the recent Maha Kumbh, contrasting it with the "chaos, corruption, and pollution " of the 2013 event. He also criticized the opposition's criticisms of the Maha Kumbh arrangements, arguing that everyone found something in accordance with their nature and character. Adityanath refuted allegations of discrimination against any community at the Maha Kumbh, emphasizing the unity and inclusivity of the event.

Over 260 citizens urge CJI to act against Udhayanidhi for 'hate speech'

Over 260 citizens urge CJI to act against Udhayanidhi for 'hate speech'

Rediff.com5 Sep 2023

Over 260 eminent citizens, including former judges and bureaucrats, have written to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud urging him to take cognisance of DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin's 'eradicate Sanatan Dharma' comment, calling it "hate speech".

'This dialogue is being removed right away'

'This dialogue is being removed right away'

Rediff.com18 Jun 2023

'The producers of Adipurush as well as Director Om Raut did not expect such a backlash.'

Maha Kumbh: 3.5 crore seers, devotees take Amrit Snan

Maha Kumbh: 3.5 crore seers, devotees take Amrit Snan

Rediff.com14 Jan 2025

Seers from various 'akharas' took the first 'Amrit Snan' at the Maha Kumbh on Makar Sankranti on Tuesday as an unbroken stream of people converged at the Triveni Sangam on the occasion with around 3.5 crore devotees taking a dip.

UP juice vendor arrested for mixing urine in drinks

UP juice vendor arrested for mixing urine in drinks

Rediff.com14 Sep 2024

According to a police officer, the arrest was made following complaints by the public that the juice seller had been serving fruit juice to the customers after mixing human urine in it.