Residents march against mounting of Hindu statue

Kisumu, Kenya: Kisumu residents engaged police in running battles in the city centre to protest the construction of a statue by members of the Hindu religion along Nyerere Road. Police were forced to lobby teargas canisters at the protestors who had set the statue ablaze. The incident affected traffic on the busy road, as the angry mob converged on different corners playing hide and seek with the security officers. The protesters, Muslims and Christians, argued that erecting a religious statue in the heart of the town portrayed Kisumu as a city of the Hindu religion. The statue, which was constructed near Aga Khan Hall along Nyerere Road, was meant to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha temple in Kisumu.

“Christians are not allowed to bow down to other gods and the location of the statue means everyone using this road bows,” said Erick Otieno, a resident. The statue is located on a roundabout next to the temple and the residents argued that road users were being distracted and that its continued presence could lead to accidents. Kenyan heroes The demonstrators asked the county government to build statues of Kenyan heroes. “Even we Christians and Muslims don’t erect statues of our gods on public roads; we do it inside places of worship, so why should Hindus be allowed to erect theirs on public roads?” asked Mr Otieno. On Tuesday, Christians from the Ministry of Repentance and Holiness Church demonstrated against the monument, saying it would promote idolatry in the region.

Kisumu Central Deputy OCPD Joe Lekuta asked the residents to appeal to the county government, which approved the placement of the statue. “The construction of the statue was not a coincidence. It was allowed by the county government so do not engage in acts that demean the gods of other people,” said Lekuta. He warned that police would take action against those who engage in destruction of the monument.
source: standardmedia.co.ke

Kisumu, Kenya: Kisumu residents engaged police in running battles in the city centre to protest the construction of a statue by members of the Hindu religion along Nyerere Road. Police were forced to lobby teargas canisters at the protestors who had set the statue ablaze. The incident affected traffic on the busy road, as the angry mob converged on different corners playing hide and seek with the security officers. The protesters, Muslims and Christians, argued that erecting a religious statue in the heart of the town portrayed Kisumu as a city of the Hindu religion. The statue, which was constructed near Aga Khan Hall along Nyerere Road, was meant to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha temple in Kisumu.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000104181/residents-march-against-mounting-of-hindu-statue

Kisumu, Kenya: Kisumu residents engaged police in running battles in the city centre to protest the construction of a statue by members of the Hindu religion along Nyerere Road. Police were forced to lobby teargas canisters at the protestors who had set the statue ablaze. The incident affected traffic on the busy road, as the angry mob converged on different corners playing hide and seek with the security officers. The protesters, Muslims and Christians, argued that erecting a religious statue in the heart of the town portrayed Kisumu as a city of the Hindu religion. The statue, which was constructed near Aga Khan Hall along Nyerere Road, was meant to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha temple in Kisumu.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000104181/residents-march-against-mounting-of-hindu-statue

Kisumu, Kenya: Kisumu residents engaged police in running battles in the city centre to protest the construction of a statue by members of the Hindu religion along Nyerere Road. Police were forced to lobby teargas canisters at the protestors who had set the statue ablaze. The incident affected traffic on the busy road, as the angry mob converged on different corners playing hide and seek with the security officers. The protesters, Muslims and Christians, argued that erecting a religious statue in the heart of the town portrayed Kisumu as a city of the Hindu religion. The statue, which was constructed near Aga Khan Hall along Nyerere Road, was meant to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha temple in Kisumu.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000104181/residents-march-against-mounting-of-hindu-statue

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Sibal condemns Hindu Sena protest against Caravan magazine over Aseemanand's interview

New Delhi, Feb.7 (ANI): Minister of Communication and Information Technology Kapil Sibal on Friday criticized Hindu Sena workers for protesting outside the office of Caravan Magazine, for running the interview of Swami Aseemanand, in which he allegedly implicated Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat for his involvement in the 2007 terror attacks.

Sibal asserted that the mindset of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is anti-freedom of expression.
"This is a violent attack on the freedom of expression, and the experience of the NDA should make you recognize and understand that this is something they did even during 1999-2004, when people from Tehelka were able to expose them. What did they do? They set up a commission to destroy them. Same thing is happening now," he told media here today.
"Caravan is not a Congress agent; it is a periodical which investigates thoroughly some issues. They have investigated what Aseemanand has been saying. And they stand by their story. And now they are attacking them. The mindset of BJP is anti-freedom of expression. The mindset of BJP is to destroy whoever comes on their way," he added.
Earlier in the day, Hindu Sena workers staged a protest outside Caravan magazine's office over the Aseemanand controversial interview.
"If any Hindu leader or organization is accused of terror then it's an accusation on all 100 crore Hindus. Caravan Magazine should be shut down or else Hindu Sena will shut it down," a Hindu Sena worker Vishnu Gupta said. (ANI)

source:in.news.yahoo.com

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Hindu prayer services raise money for Bangladeshi victims of attacks

 
Young children joined in the prayers for victims in Bangladesh

Hindu prayer services were held in Bromley-by-Bow to raise money for victims of attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority following the country’s recent election.

Children as young as three added their voices to the recital of verses from holy Hindu scripture, The Bhagavad Gita as the congregation demanded safety and security for the victims.
The services at Kingsley Hall last week, part of a series of events across Britain, began with the Narayan Puja, a prayer to the deity Vishnu.
The Aarti was also recited, a prayer to remove darkness and give relief to the suffering.
Ajanta Deb Roy, co-organiser of the event, said: “These events should happen more, because in Bangladesh they are targeting minority people, and this shows that not everyone is involved in the violence.
“People from all faiths have showed their support.”
The January 5 election in Bangladesh was boycotted by main opposition parties, and saw the re-election of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League in a record low turnout.
A bloody period of political turmoil has seen more than 300 people killed since the beginning of last year.

source:eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk

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No Decision on Declaring Diwali School Holiday: NYC Mayor

The City of New York is still undecided on declaring school holidays for Diwali festival, a longstanding demand of the Indian community, the largest South Asian group here.

However, for Eid and the Chinese New Year, the city's Mayor said, "The goal is to get there."

"Have not spoken about Diwali yet. On the other two (festivals), goal is to get there (declare school holidays)," Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

"It will take time. It is complicated in terms of logistics and school calendar and budget. But it is something I want to get done in a reasonable time frame," de Blasio said.

Appearing on a local radio show, the Mayor was asked if he would make the Lunar New Year, Eid (both Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha) and Diwali school holidays.

Indians are the largest South Asian group here, comprising 2.4 per cent of the city's population of more than 8 million people.

The New York City metropolitan area is home to nearly 600,000 Indian-Americans, with a majority of residents concentrated in Queens neighbourhoods such as Jackson Heights, Flushing, Glen Oaks, Floral Park, Bellerose, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, and Elmhurst.

The ethnic community has long been demanding that the city's schools should be closed on Diwali.

A representative of the Association of Indians in America, Shashi Shah told the New York Daily News that the community is disappointed that Diwali is not a school holiday in the city.

Shah appealed to the Mayor to recognise the Hindu holiday, saying, "We are disappointed. We have been trying for a long time. It's very important for the community."

Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg too had opposed a school holiday on Diwali saying kids should not miss more school

source:news.outlookindia.com

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Kalaghoda axes play after Hindu groups call it 'anti-national'; producers move it to YouTube

The art festival drops the play loosely based on Mohammad Ali Jinnah after right wing group Hindu Janajagruti Samiti protests by calling it anti-national

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Mumbai's iconic art festival known for its rich portrayal of contemporary art and culture took little consideration while bending over backwards following threats from rightwing Hindu groups.
The play dubbed as 'Ali J' was scheduled to take place on Thursday, Feburary 6. However, following threats by a Hindu nationalist group, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, that called for the play to be cancelled terming it as 'anti-national' and that it 'spreads communal–hatred'.
On their website, that boasts a tagline 'For establishment of a Hindu nation', the group accuses the play of glorifying Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who they blame for partition of India 67 years ago. The website also states that it led a motely crew of right wing groups to submit a complaint in the Colaba police station, a fact also confirmed by the police. Along with this a warning was also issued to the organisers that if attempts were made to stage its show, the group would hold demonstrations. “Patriotic Hindus are registering their protest,” it stated.

Protest : Show of play ‘Ali J’ glorifying Jinnah to be staged on 6 Feb at Mumbai http://t.co/gZPXcm53Pc
— Hindujagrutiorg (@hindujagrutiorg) February 5, 2014

So what is 'Ali J' really about?
Touted as a political thriller, Ali J is a one act play starring Karthik Kumar, and deals with being Muslim in today's India. However, Sunil Vishnu K, director of Evan Entertainment that produced the play, in conversation with dna, explains, “It is not anti-national or anti-Hindu! If anything, it implores concerns of a generation about partition.”
Further calling the accusations to be unfounded, Sunil is appalled that the protesters would boycott the play without even having watched it. “The play deals with ideas of secularism and unity. It is far from being anti-national!”
Ironically, Sunil explains, the play imagines how things would be if we were all a little more tolerant.
The show was earlier presented in Bangalore and also faced some mild objections by local Hindu groups. But Sunil informs how the theatre community in the city, led by renowned personality Arundathi Nag, came out in solidarity to ensure a peaceful and successful showcase.
Commenting on the art festival's decision to drop the play, Sunil says, “Kalaghoda was made to believe that there would be a law and order situation if they showed Ali J. My play wasn't dropped because the law forbids it; on the contrary, it was because such situations were created, that suppressed our freedoms to present it.”
Web to the rescue
But even as Kalaghoda backs out and refuses to provide a platform to present this theatre, YouTube comes as a much stronger alternative. The show will air online on Thursday at 5.30 pm on Evam Entertainment's YouTube channel.
“It isn't just about this play,” explains Sunil. “It is about freedom of speech. Or else anything and everything can be banned just because someone claimed that it was 'anti-national'.”
On a Facebook group protesting the cancellation of the play screening, the producers point out, “Ali J was prevented from performing based on protests and threats from fundamentalist groups, without them even watching the play. This is an outrage against the freedom of speech and artistic expression, in a secular Democracy. You have stopped us from performing using force; but can you stop people from watching it?”
“I only want to share this play with the masses,” Sunil explains his decision to make Ali J available on a public platform, which is sure to cost him. “I want people to watch it, share it and talk about it. I want them to see for themselves if whether the play evokes anti-national emotions.”
He urges people to watch the play in solidarity of freedom of speech. “If this becomes a trend, then we, the artists, might as well pack our bags and go,” he says in conclusion.

source:dnaindia.com

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Robert Village Hindu School—An Example

The Robert Village Hindu School, in the Tableland catchment, Southeast Trinidad, was established 50 years ago. The first principal was Chandreika Maharaj, a wellknown teacher and religious activist. When he retired as principal, Robert Village Hindu was recognised in the educational sector as a most successful primary school. Maharaj was credited with training a group of young teachers who became committed educators.


The Maha Sabha Education Board was impressed with Maharaj’s dedication and performance, and went on to name the school the Chandreika Maharaj, Robert Village Hindu School. On January 19, the school halls were filled with more than 600 parents, past pupils and well-wishers, as the school celebrated its golden jubilee—50 years of providing education to children from rural Trinidad.


Parents and teachers celebrated in typical Hindu fashion by inviting pundit Moonilal Maharaj from Chaguanas and pundit Ajay Maharaj to conduct puja and readings from the Hindu holy book, The Ramayan. The acting principal, Shoba Maharaj in a special 50thanniversary publication, spoke about the history and successes of this self-help venture into education: “This prestigious establishment has certainly produced many outstanding citizens, all of whom make contributions to the development of our twin-island republic.

source:guardian.co.tt/

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Eight dead after holy Indian cave at Hindu temple collapses

 

Dated 4th feb
The wall of a cave leading to a popular Hindu temple in central India collapsed on Tuesday killing eight worshippers, including three young girls, police said.
State Home Minister Ram Sewak Pekra said the accident at Bildwar Cave in Chhattisgarh may have been triggered by blasts in nearby coal mines.
“Frequent blasts are carried out in the nearby coal mines and that could be the reason for the cave-in. We have asked the rescue team to do a thorough combing of the site to ensure no one else is trapped,” Pekra told AFP.
Senior police officer Manisha Thakur told AFP that eight bodies had been recovered — three were girls aged between 10 and 13, and five men.
?Three others are injured. They are in a serious condition,? said Thakur.
India has a long history of accidents at religious festivals and sites, with 18 killed at a stampede during a funeral procession for a Muslim spiritual leader in Mumbai last month.
Heavy machinery was still clearing the mound of debris at the cave into the evening on Tuesday after the collapse, which happened at around 5:00 pm (1130 GMT).
The temple is visited by devotees all year round.
Pekra said that a detailed investigation into the collapse would be carried out.

source:rawstory.com

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Devout Hindus celebrate Basant Panchmi in Allahabad

Allahabad, Feb.4 (ANI): Thousands of devout Hindus took a holy bath and dip in the sacred waters of 'Sangam', the confluence of River Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, on Tuesday in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, on the occasion of Basant Panchmi, a festival that marks the onset of spring.

The festival glorifies Hindu Goddess Saraswati, patron of knowledge, music and the arts.
The devotees offered prayers and performed religious rituals on the banks of the river early on Tuesday.
Security has also been tightened in and around the city, as police personnel have been deployed in large numbers keeping in mind huge rush of devotees.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Umesh Kumar said his team was determined to make the festival a successful one.
"Crowd of devotees are coming to take holy dip on the occasion Basant Panchmi. Till now, around 2 lakh devotees have taken holy bathe. We are determined to make the holy dip successful with the help of police personnel," said Kumar.
Locals queued up before priests who had erected makeshift altars on the riverbanks to perform the rituals and offer prayers.
A devotee, Aman said that he came to seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswati.
"I have come here to take holy dip on the occasion of Hindu festival, Basant Panchmi. We will also pray before Hindu Goddess, Saraswati as we hope that we will be blessed with knowledge and wisdom," said Aman.
'Saraswati Puja' is a festive day for students of all disciplines, special worship ceremonies to honour the goddess 'Saraswati' are put together at various places in India.
Saraswati Puja is observed on the fifth day after the no moon night in the Hindu month of Magh (early in February).
It is believed that of Goddess Saraswati was born on this day. Saraswati has been identified with the Vedic Saraswati River.
The festival concurs with 'Vasant Panchami', which is also named as 'Shree Panchami'. Women dress in yellow, which is the colour of spring, and prepare a variety of sweets flavoured with saffron. (ANI)

source:in.news.yahoo.com

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The Hindus are the sons of Bangladesh soil

By Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman

It seems be came the fate of religious minority, especially the members of Hindu community, who take birth in the soil of Bangladesh and are living here from generation to generation that Hindus fell prey to casualties. When the country faces hard time of a political crisis or a change, the the Hindu community, becomes the target of minority persecution by the So-called Islamist terrorist organizations.
When it goes under a electioneering process, parliament or local governments, as if it is the destine of the Hindus that they will lose their lives, their women will be raped, their houses would be ransacked and destroyed, business establishments and shops will be looted and touched into ashes, their mondirs and temples will be damaged and put on fire, and their property, houses or agricultural lands would be grabbed by the lootera Muslim criminal organization Jamaate Islami and its terrorist student wing Chhatra Shibir, Popularly known as Gestapo Bahini. BNP (the so-called Bangladesh Nationalist Party) was always with them.
We have been observing since 1947 when India was divided into Pakistan & Hindustan on the basis of Jinnah's two nation theory, that means Muslim majority areas will be made Pakistan (name should be Muslimstan) and Hindu majority areas Hindustan. Minority persecution happened in 1947, in 1962, 64, and 1971 when we were in the war of liberation, again after the assassination of country's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, we saw in 1992 when the fundamentalist Hindus destroyed Babri Mosque in Uttar Prodesh, India, the fundamentalist Muslims destroyed 247 Mondirs in different places of Bangladesh and its capital Dhaka.
It has happened after the election of 2001 and last January 5, 2014. But can any body deny that Hindus and other religious minority Buddist, Christian’s are the sons of this soil. Still I remember my village, my childhood. It was a remote village of Chandpur district where half of the year was remaining under the rainy season and we used to go to school by boat together, play together, even we the boys both Muslims and Hindus of our village used to masticating sugarcane sitting on the boat and enjoy each others family & religious festivals. We took part in our war of liberation together. Of course none of us ever has forgotten our own religious belief and obligations.
We believe that the religion is personal and the state belongs to every body, it should not be mixed with our Political and state life. Still I remember my friend Priya, Jagadish, Dulal, Santosh, Ranajit, Badal, Shomvo, Gandhi and many others whom I can not remember now. I don't know where they are, how they are? I know only Priya and Dulal left Bangladesh in sixties were settled in Kolkata, India (Dulal died two years back). Priya lives a Posh life there, but I saw him crying for motherland.
The panic and horror I saw in sixties on their face & eyes at the time of communal riots in 1964 and Pakistan India war in 1965 were seen during the last January 5 election. I sow the same horror in the eyes of Hindus in different parts of the country published on the front page of news papers and the main bulletins of the television channels. Main two Prime reasons behind this act of terror are (1) our neighboring country is Hindu majority Hindustan or India and BNP and its alley Jamaat consider Hindus are the enemy of the country (2) Hindus Prefer to vote for AL (Awami League) as it is a secular non-communal political party. So they suffer if vote for, even do not. This time it happened in Jessore, Khulna, Rajshahi, Joypurhat, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Pabna, Satkhira, Ovoynagar, Dinajpur, panchagarh, Chittagong, Baushkhali, Shitakunda, Laksmipur, Chandpur and other places of the Country. We saw hundreds of thousands of Hindus left their places for life leaving their houses, lands, Business, Valuable etc behind.
Following the parliament election held on October 2001, Nation saw with sorrows and panic that the BNP and its terrorist alley Jamaat & shibir led by Begum Khaleda Zia tried to observed their victory celebration through the heinous act of ethnic cleansing. We have been seeing this for last 66 years (1947-2014) and the Hindus became weaker and weaker financially and numerically. Exodus of Hindus to the neighboring India is a known fact for us, but fact remains we didn't do anything to stop it.
Irony is that the party which claiming to be the Nationalist and its leader Begum Khaleda Zia who Claimed herself uncompromising? Is she responsible for these communal attacks? Khaleda Zia herself ordered terrorist to come down on the street with Petrol Bomb, lathel weapon. We saw in may 5, 2013 in the time of Hifazat gathering around Shapla Chattar that she ordered her party activities to join the Hefazat and help (?) them when Hefazat started damaging the road dividers, tourching the book shops including the Holy Qurran and Hadith (S) selling shops and other road side hawkers shops and the party office of Awami league and CPB (Communist Party of Bangladesh) aiming at they wanted to free their leaders now facing capital punishment by international war crime tribunals by creating Lawless in the Country. It also wanted to create a Tahier squire in Dhaka to achieve their target, particularly at the time of the execution of Jamaat leader Kader Molla, popularly known as `Mirpur's Kashai' BNP's target was to reduce the percentage of Hindu votes, popularly known as AL's vote bank. Because AL is a non-communal, democratic and secular political party and it believes in Bengali Nationalism.
All are still very lively in my mind. The fears I saw among them during Pakistan-India war and riots in 60s, such fears were seen in face-eyes of Hindus of different regions after the recent elections (Jatiya Sangsad 2014). There are two prime reasons of it-our neighbour India is a country of Hindu majority. So Hindus will have to be identified as ‘enemy’ (?), second Hindus like Awami League as secular political party, . . . so general impression is they are giving vote for AL even do not, they become victim.
The executive director of ‘Broti’ Sharmin Murshid in a TV talk-show said anyone having black colour on finger was tortured. Thousands of Hindus were forced to take shelter in other places to save life. The road of Abhainagor is like the ‘71’s Jessore Road which became important in September 1971 when millions used it as a highway to life defying natural calamities to evade Pakistani atrocities. They fall prey to killing-torture in the same way after 2001 October elections. They naturally became weak economically because their land-property, businesses were looted-grabbed gradually over the last 66 years (1947-2014). Moreover, this time only they are realising what an inhuman life they are maintaining in the prevailing cold weather after leaving their houses in the face of torture. This time it has been cleared who are launching such attacks—Jamaat-Shibir is committing such inhuman crimes against humanity under the protection of Begum Khaleda zia, who is now populary call Amir-e-Hajabi (Hafarzat+Jamat+BNP). Their target is to save Jamaat leaders who are under-trial or facing death sentences for their war-time crimes and BNP’s target is to reduce vote of Awami League. Jamaat dreams to create Egypt’s Brotherhood’s Tahrir Square like movement; create mass upsurge. But it is Bangladsesh, they also realize it. So they launch attacks on Hindus who are minority and weak socially and financially. It is our national shame that we could not save them. Although, it was possible to resist criminals if steps would have been taken. Because, it did not happen all of a sudden or all over the country, such attacks, killings, torture-repression have started from the day the court began to hand down verdicts on war crimes cases, it was very beginning of last year. But it seems that the administration was enjoying daydream.
Thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and conveying her gratitude on be half of the citizens of the state, she does not sleep if everyone remains asleep, as if she is responsible for whole things only. In 1964, Bangabandhu resisted the riot launching a campaign styled “Purbabangla stand against riot”. During that time the government was unfavorable, because Ayub's Military Junta was in power. This time government is different. It was needed to remain alert and take precautionary measures. Nonetheless, Iqbalur Rahim M.P of Dinajpur was found trying to resist it. Such people are allover the country but why they were asleep? For getting party nomination, they take to the street wearing white clothes (such clothes are used to wrap up dead body of a Muslim for burial), chant slogan by hiring people on payment ‘ . . . brother go ahead, we are with you’ and now trying to be minister.

source:asiantribune.com

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Ten Hindu pilgrims killed in bus accident in Nepal

Kathmandu:  A bus carrying Hindu pilgrims skidded off a mountain road and fell down more than 300-metre in eastern Nepal, killing at least 10 people, police said today.

The bus, carrying 66 passengers to Haleshi Mahadev of Khotang from Sindhuli district, skidded off the road and plunged some 300-meter down in Suklatar village of Okhaldhunga district on Friday, a police officer told PTI.

Three people died on the spot, while seven others succumbed to their injuries in different hospitals yesterday, the officer said.

Fifty-six passengers, who were seriously injured, have been admitted to Katari Hospital in Udaypur, Neuro Hospital in Biratnagar and B&B Hospital in Lalitpur district.

source:ndtv.com

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Necessary protection: Hindu community demands adequate security

Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai. PHOTO: PPI

PESHAWAR: The Hindu community has voiced strong disapproval over Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai’s order to remove the security gate from Pir Ratan Nath Temple which was constructed after a police constable was shot dead outside the place of worship last week.
In a press statement, All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement Chairman Haroon Sarbdyal spoke out against the issue. He said two days ago, the minister visited the area where residents complained that the gate was a hurdle for traffic. Yousafzai then ordered the police to remove it.

“The security gate was constructed by the Hindu community to protect itself and the police guards against such attacks in the future,” said Sarbdyal, “But the minister ordered its removal without even consulting us.”
He lamented the police had safeguarded their stations and other government and religious buildings by placing blockades and barbed wires around them, whereas one step taken by the Hindu community to protect themselves was not acceptable to Yousafzai. “We may be a minority, but we are citizens of Pakistan and have equal rights,” said Sarbdyal.
In his defence, Yousafzai said he had earlier ordered the capital city police officer to sit down with locals and resolve the issue amicably. He stressed his intention was to facilitate all inhabitants of the locality.
source:tribune.com.pk

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Demanding rights: ‘No security for Hindu community’

Hindu Panchayat president Mukhi Eshwar Lal Makheja laments string of violent incidents. PHOTO: FILE

 

SUKKUR:  Minorities’ rights and their safety are guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan but the Hindu community laments that they are deprived of their basic right. 

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Hindu Panchayat president Mukhi Eshwar Lal Makheja reported that a string of violent incidents, including kidnapping for ransom, robbery, extortion, gang rape and forced conversions had been inflicted upon members of the community over the last three months.

Citing examples of the incidents, Makheja said that a trader, Lachman Das, had been kidnapped from Airport Road, Sukkur, about two and a half months ago and had not been rescued to date. Another trader belonging to the Hindu community, Ravi Kumar, was kidnapped near Sangi but was later rescued.

Makheja appealed to the authorities to provide protection to the Hindu traders as they were an important part of the country’s economy. “Members of the Hindu community are involved in the rice and dates trades, apart from playing their roles in the services sector as doctors and pharmacists,” he said.

source:tribune.com.pk

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Cherukolppuzha Hindu Meet Begins

 

Swami Kashikananda Giri Maharaj inaugurating the 102nd Ayroor-Cherukolppuzha Hindu religious convention on Sunday 

 

The eight-day long 102nd Ayroor-Cherukolppuzha Hindu religious convention, organised under the auspices of Hindu Maha Mandalam,  began on the sand-bed of Pampa at Ayroor Vidyadhiraja Nagar near Kozhenchery on Sunday.
Delivering the inaugural address, Swami Kashikananda Giri Maharaj of Kandivli Anandabhavan Ashramam in Mumbai called on the people to surrender before God through prayer.
The Swami said that the people should reach out to God with a determination and unconditional prayer.“People could purge their mind through meditation,” the seer said. “One could see God’s presence in all living objects and through meditation one could feel it,” Swami Kashikananda Giri said.Hindu Maha Mandalam president T N Upendranatha Kurup welcomed the gathering. Prime Minister’s advisor T K A Nair presided over the function.
Swami Nirmalanandagiri delivered the introductory address. Swami Prajnananda Theerthapada of the Vazhoor Theerthapada Ashramam delivered the benedictory address. Yogakshema Sabha president Akeeramon Kalidasa Bhattathiri delivered the keynote address.
Maha Mandalam secretary M P Sasidharan Nair proposed a vote of thanks on the occasion.
At 10 am, Maha Mandalam president T N Upendranatha Kurup received the processions carrying the portrait of Vidyadhiraja Chattambi Swami, the torchlight and flag at Vidyadhiraja Nagar, followed by hoisting of the flag in front of the auditorium.

source:newindianexpress.com

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Universities urged to designate prayer spaces for Hindu

Michael Sergel, Newstalk ZB February 1, 2014, 1:19 pm

 

Universities are being urged to provide designated prayer spaces for Hindu students.
A growing number of students identify as Hindu, especially in the Auckland region.
Rajen Zed, spokesman for the Universal Society of Hinduism, says universities should set aside halls for Hindu spiritual exercise.
He says the halls should include statues of popular deities, and be equipped with a traditional bell and drum.
He says Hindu students should have their spiritual needs met, in the same way Christian and Muslim students are accommodated.

 

source:nz.news.yahoo.com 

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