News for 'priest'

Delhi HC summons Shashi Tharoor

Delhi HC summons Shashi Tharoor

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

The Delhi high court on Monday issued summons to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in a defamation suit filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rajeev Chandrashekhar.

HC stays Alt News co-founder Zubair's arrest in post on Narsinghanand

HC stays Alt News co-founder Zubair's arrest in post on Narsinghanand

Rediff.com21 Dec 2024

The Allahabad High Court has stayed the arrest of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in an FIR accusing him of promoting enmity among religious groups. The court also directed Zubair not to travel abroad. The FIR was lodged last month following a complaint by an associate of controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand. Zubair had moved the high court, requesting quashing the FIR and protection from coercive action. In his plea, he stated that his post did not call for violence against Narsinghanand.

Another ancient well with clean water found at religious site in Sambhal

Another ancient well with clean water found at religious site in Sambhal

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

An ancient well with clean water has been discovered at a religious site in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The well, located at Kshem Nath Tirtha, was buried and closed off for a long time before being reopened. The discovery has delighted local devotees and is being seen as a divine blessing. The well is believed to be an historic water source that was previously used by pilgrims visiting the site.

SEE: Modi takes a holy dip at Maha Kumbh

SEE: Modi takes a holy dip at Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam at the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday. Holding 'rudraksha' beads and chanting mantras, the prime minister offered prayers while standing in the river. Modi took a boat ride with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to reach Triveni Sangam -- the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Maha Kumbh, being held after 12 years, has so far drawn over 38 crore pilgrims from across India and the world.

Elgar Case: Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale walk out of jail

Elgar Case: Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale walk out of jail

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

Researcher Rona Wilson and activist Sudhir Dhawale, accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, were released on bail from a Navi Mumbai prison on Friday, more than six years after they were arrested. The duo walked out of the Taloja jail after completing bail formalities before the special NIA court, over a fortnight after they were granted bail by the Bombay High Court. The HC granted bail to Wilson and Dhawale on January 8, noting they had been in jail since 2018 and the trial in the case, in which anti-terror act UAPA has been invoked, was yet to start. Apart from Dhawale and Wilson, 14 other activists and academicians were arrested in the case. Eight of them have been granted bail till now, with one, Mahesh Raut, still in jail as the appeal filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against his bail is pending before the Supreme Court. Jesuit priest and activist Stan Swamy, one of the accused, died in 2021 while lodged in judicial custody. The case pertains to provocative speeches allegedly delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, triggering violence at Koregaon-Bhima, a village outside Pune city, the next day. The Pune police had claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. The NIA later took over the probe.

Amazing, Awesome, Stunning Photographs!

Amazing, Awesome, Stunning Photographs!

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

The 2025 Sony World Photography Awards has announced its National and Regional Award winners, celebrating talent from 56 countries.

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced reservation for Muslims in supplying goods and services up to a value of Rs 1 crore to various government departments, corporations and institutions in the state budget for 2025-26. The budget also increased the value limit of government contracts in which Muslims can avail reservation to Rs 2 crore. The reservation to Muslims under 2B category is in addition to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Castes coming under Category-1, Category-2A. The budget also included various welfare schemes for minorities, including Rs 50,000 to support simple marriages and Rs 1,000 crore under the Chief Minister's Minority Colony Development Programme.

Mourning The Dead In Manipur

Mourning The Dead In Manipur

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

Scenes from funerals in Jiribam in Manipur for Meiteis killed in the ethnic violence that broke out in Borobekra.

Kedarnath priest alleges scam in gold plating of temple walls

Kedarnath priest alleges scam in gold plating of temple walls

Rediff.com18 Jun 2023

In a video that surfaced online, senior priest Santosh Trivedi alleged that the temple's sanctum sanctorum has been covered with brass plates in the name of gold plating, claiming it is a 'Rs 125 crore scam'.

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

If as critics point out, the environmental impact assessment study was commissioned only after the auction process got underway with not all the stakeholders getting to know of it, then the government has already compromised the trust it could have enjoyed with Kerala's public including its coastal communities, points out Shyam G Menon.

No off-season: Modi bats for round-the-year tourism in U'khand

No off-season: Modi bats for round-the-year tourism in U'khand

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Mukhwa temple in Uttarakhand, the winter abode of Goddess Ganga, and offered prayers. The visit is expected to boost winter pilgrimage and tourism in the state. Modi also flagged off a trek and bike rally and addressed a public meeting in Harshil. This comes a day after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two major ropeway projects to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib worth over Rs 6,000 crore.

A Tamil Nadu Village Prays For Kamala

A Tamil Nadu Village Prays For Kamala

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

Hours before the US presidential elections, special prayers were held for Democrat candidate Kamala Harris's victory at her ancestral village in Tamil Nadu.

Kamala Harris And The Broken Link

Kamala Harris And The Broken Link

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

'Her grandfather left the village more than 70 years ago. None of her family is here. Nobody from her gothram is here. The people who knew her grandfather are long dead. I cannot understand why people keep coming here and asking us questions about her.'

MP principal, teacher, priest, nun booked for assaulting, molesting girls

MP principal, teacher, priest, nun booked for assaulting, molesting girls

Rediff.com5 Mar 2023

The school, situated in Junwani, some 60 kilometres from the district headquarters, is run by Jabalpur Diocesan Education Society of the Roman Catholic community, he said.

AAP releases 'Kejriwal ki Guarantee' for Delhi poll

AAP releases 'Kejriwal ki Guarantee' for Delhi poll

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

The manifesto outlines 15 guarantees, with Kejriwal promising "robust" job creation for Delhi residents as his first guarantee.

Prayers offered at reopened temple in Sambhal

Prayers offered at reopened temple in Sambhal

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

Devotees thronged the Khaggu Sarai area in Sambhal on Tuesday to offer prayers to an idol of Lord Hanuman that was discovered in the Bhasma Shankar temple, reopened last week after being shut for 46 years.

What's next for AAP after Delhi rout

What's next for AAP after Delhi rout

Rediff.com9 Feb 2025

Whether AAP bounces back or fades into political oblivion will depend on its strategy in the coming months.

No place for Sai Baba in temples: Shankaracharya boycotts Shimla event

No place for Sai Baba in temples: Shankaracharya boycotts Shimla event

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

Jyotispeethadheeswar Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, who was scheduled to participate in the "Gau Dhwaj" hoisting programme at the Ram temple in Shimla, boycotted the event and did not visit the shrine.

Suspense over Narsinghanand's whereabouts as more cases filed

Suspense over Narsinghanand's whereabouts as more cases filed

Rediff.com6 Oct 2024

As controversy raged over Yati Narsinghanand's objectionable remarks against Prophet Muhammad, his supporters on Sunday alleged that the Dasna temple head priest is being illegally kept in detention by police, which denied the claim.

Tirupati temple 'purified' amid animal fat in laddu row

Tirupati temple 'purified' amid animal fat in laddu row

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

As the controversy continues to reverberate nationwide, various quarters are demanding steps to safeguard the sanctity of Hindu temples and their 'prasadam'.

'Radical organisation': Plea seeks ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh

'Radical organisation': Plea seeks ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

This comes amid the row over the arrest of former priest of ISKCON Bangladesh, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, over sedition charges, which led to protests and unrest in Bangladesh.

If any person...: Adityanath amid Narsinghanand's Prophet remark row

If any person...: Adityanath amid Narsinghanand's Prophet remark row

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

The chief minister stressed that faith of every sect and religion should be respected.

Cong accuses govt of mismanagement in Manmohan funeral, BJP hits back

Cong accuses govt of mismanagement in Manmohan funeral, BJP hits back

Rediff.com29 Dec 2024

The BJP has accused the Congress of politicising the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh and levelling "baseless allegations" of disrespect and mismanagement at his State funeral. The Congress has countered by alleging that the government's arrangements for the funeral were a "shocking display" of disrespect. The row comes as the Congress alleges that the Centre did not allow news agencies except for DD (Doordarshan) to cover the funeral, did not provide enough space for Singh's family around the pyre, and did not stand up for the national flag during the gun salute. The BJP has refuted all of these charges.

'The Largest Peaceful Gathering Of Pilgrims'

'The Largest Peaceful Gathering Of Pilgrims'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Through history, the Mela has held different meanings for ascetics, the colonised, colonisers, and tourists, but all have been moved by its grandeur points out Atanu Biswas.

ASI inspects 'Skanda Purana' well at newly found Sambhal temple

ASI inspects 'Skanda Purana' well at newly found Sambhal temple

Rediff.com21 Dec 2024

On Friday, a four-member team of the ASI surveyed the recently-discovered Shri Kartik Mahadev temple, five pilgrimage sites and 19 'koops' (wells).

When Hindus, Muslims came together to save Dhaka's ancient temple

When Hindus, Muslims came together to save Dhaka's ancient temple

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

On August 13, Muhammad Yunus visited the Dhakeswari Temple and reached out to the distressed Hindu community members in the wake of attacks on the minority communities.

Chhari Mubarak Heads For Amarnath Cave

Chhari Mubarak Heads For Amarnath Cave

Rediff.com15 Aug 2024

On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, Head Priest Mahant Deependra Giri along with sadhus and devotees at the Amareshwar temple in Srinagar offered the traditional Chhari Pujan to the Chhari Mubarak or the holy silver mace of Lord Shiva before leaving for the Amarnath cave to conclude the annual Amarnath Yatra.

Historic! Diyas Light Up Srinagar

Historic! Diyas Light Up Srinagar

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

In a historic moment, on Thursday October 31, 2024 night, Srinagar's Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk lit up with thousands of diyas to celebrate Diwali for the first time.

Would have chosen Usha Vance as my VP, but...: Trump

Would have chosen Usha Vance as my VP, but...: Trump

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of newly sworn-in Vice President JD Vance, has made history as the first Indian-American and Hindu Second Lady of the United States. Usha, a lawyer and daughter of Indian immigrants, held the Bible during Vance's oath of office, signifying her role in supporting her husband's political journey. Her background and her husband's rise to the Vice Presidency highlight the growing political influence of Indian Americans and their increasing representation in national politics.

'Ravan Bhakt', 'Ghoshna Mantri': Slangs heat up Delhi poll

'Ravan Bhakt', 'Ghoshna Mantri': Slangs heat up Delhi poll

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections have turned into a fierce battleground of slogans, one-liners, and AI-generated memes between the three main contenders: AAP, BJP, and Congress. From the AAP branding the BJP as the "Bharatiya Jhootha Party" (Indian Liar Party) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling the AAP "AAP-Daa" (disaster), the war of words has taken center stage. With the poll results set to be announced on February 8, the elections are being viewed as a referendum on the AAP's governance model, which emphasizes free welfare schemes. The ruling party faces stiff competition from a resurgent BJP that is seeking to return to power in the capital after a gap of more than 25 years. The Congress, although a long shot, hopes to regain its lost ground.

US urges action against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

US urges action against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

Rediff.com24 Dec 2024

Amid growing outrage here about the large-scale attack on minority Hindus and their places of worship in Bangladesh, United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday spoke with the interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and both leaders expressed commitment to protect human rights in the troubled South Asian nation.

Travails Of A Hindu School in Meghalaya

Travails Of A Hindu School in Meghalaya

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

A state government that came to power after swearing to protect all people without discrimination refused to help a non-Christian organisation till the high court rapped it on its knuckles, observes former BJP MP Tarun Vijay, former Chief Editor, Panchjanya, the RSS weekly.

Elderly priest, wife sustain burns in petrol bomb attack in Rajasthan

Elderly priest, wife sustain burns in petrol bomb attack in Rajasthan

Rediff.com21 Nov 2022

The attack took place on Sunday night in the Heera ki Basti area where Navratan Prajapat (72) was having dinner in a small accommodation he shares with his wife, they said.

Floods Submerge Ujjain Temples

Floods Submerge Ujjain Temples

Rediff.com29 Sep 2024

On Saturday, September 28, 2024, continuous rain in Ujjain has led to an increase in the water levels of the Shipra river.

'Pope Francis Was Warm And Welcoming'

'Pope Francis Was Warm And Welcoming'

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

'Senior Vatican officials were pleasantly surprised at the number of Indians who had come to witness the ceremony.'

Chardham priests body to contest Uttarakhand polls

Chardham priests body to contest Uttarakhand polls

Rediff.com18 Nov 2021

'We will tell people how BJP put an end to a 2500 year old tradition to constitute the board infringing upon our rights'

Goddess Kali crown gifted by Modi stolen from B'desh temple

Goddess Kali crown gifted by Modi stolen from B'desh temple

Rediff.com11 Oct 2024

Prime Minister Modi presented the crown to the Jeshoreshwari Temple in March 2021, during his visit to Bangladesh.

'Prime Minister Of India Has Become The High Priest Of Hinduism'

'Prime Minister Of India Has Become The High Priest Of Hinduism'

Rediff.com23 Jan 2024

'We are very close to become a theocratic State where Hinduism is the official religion of the government.'

Thousands visit Ayodhya temple on consecration anniv

Thousands visit Ayodhya temple on consecration anniv

Rediff.com11 Jan 2025

The three-day celebrations began on Saturday with a recital of Yajurveda and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performing an 'abhishek' on the Ram Lalla idol.

Alt-News co-founder Zubair booked for post on Narsinghanand

Alt-News co-founder Zubair booked for post on Narsinghanand

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

A first information report (FIR) was filed in Ghaziabad on Monday against Alt-News co-founder Mohammad Zubair for allegedly promoting enmity among religious groups and other offences following a complaint by an aide of controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand, according to police.