Magh Mela in Allahabad

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  Hindu devotees take holy dips at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna river, during the annual month-long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad. (AP Photo)
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  Hindus serve blessed sweets during the annual month-long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela at the Sangam. (AP Photo)
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  A man serves food to Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, at a community feast during the annual month-long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela. (AP Photo)
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  A Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, attends the annual month-long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela. (AP Photo)
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  A Sadhu smokes marijuana at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the annual traditional fair of "Magh Mela" in Allahabad
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  Hindu devotees gather around bonfire at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati river. (AP Photo)
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  Hindu priests wait for devotees at Sangam, the confluence of the Hindu holy rivers of Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during the annual traditional fair called "Magh Mela" in Allahabad. (AP Photo) 
  courtesy:newindianexpress.com

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Tough Times: Reds Cite Vedas to Win Hearts

Its mythology over ideology for the Communist party of India as a survival strategy. Left staring at a rapidly shrinking support base, and unable to attract the new generation of voters, the Communist Party of India (CPI) is turning to the power of Hinduism to stay relevant.
Today, a three-day seminar begins in one of the last red bastions in the country which will focus on the “power of the past”. The Kannur meet—aptly called Bharateeyam—will have stalwarts studying the past to seek answers for the future.
For the first time in the history of any Left party,  sessions will be held on traditional Indian knowledge systems, Indian philosophy and culture. Also on the agenda are detailed discussions on Vedic and pre-Vedic periods and the Upanishads.
The seminar, which will be attended by academics and Vedic experts from across the country, will have separate sessions on Vedanta, Indian Philosophy and Thoughts, Relevance and Significance of Upanishadic Literature and Indian Knowledge Systems.
“Vedic literature forms a wonderful monument of literary wealth handed over to us by our ancestors…” begins the brochure for the seminar. And the stated objective of the meet is to “popularise ancient authors and their thoughts to the new generation without any prejudice.”
While one may, out of habit, associate these topics with right-wing politics and ideology, one need not anymore if one goes by the CPI argument.
“Vedas and Upanishads are part of our collective past. Why should we let the RSS hijack it? We all have lessons to learn from these ancient texts,” said a CPI leader when asked about the apparent incongruity in the topic of the seminar and the tenets of Leftist ideology. Organised on behalf of a trust named after late CPI leader N E Balram, the seminar is being attended by politicians and academics from across the country.
“Other Communist parties may agree or disagree, but it is a fact that no Left party can survive in India without acknowledging India’s collective past and traditions,” the CPI leader added for good measure.
Going a step further, the brochure proudly declares that CPI leaders like Veliyam Bhargavan and K Damodaran are “scholars of Vedic literature and classic Sanskrit.”
Interestingly, the seminar is being held at a time political parties are still recovering from the after effects of the AAP phenomenon in Delhi and elsewhere. CPI in particular has reasons to worry as its senior leader and National Council member Kamal Mitra Chenoy recently joined AAP. While quitting CPI he said: “Either we can say people are stupid or we are behind times.”
However, CPI leaders insisted the seminar had nothing to do with AAP.

source:newindianexpress.com

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Whole town invited to join Hindu celebrations at Swindon Puja

Members of the Saraswati Puja festival committee. Back, from left Rita Dey, Kakoli Saha, Suzana Saha, Noyon Sarkar, Labony Roy,Front, from left, Priyonti Dey, Pollob Dey  
 
PEOPLE from across the town will come together to honour the Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom next month.
The Swindon Puja Committee has organised the second annual Hindu festival on February 4 to celebrate Saraswati Puja, an event devoted to the goddess Saraswati, at The Platform in Faringdon Road.
More than 200 people attended the event last year, which was the first of its kind held in the town and organisers are hoping for an even bigger turn out this year.
The festival’s cultural secretary, Sujan Saha, 33, of Commercial Road, said: “Last year, we were really pleased that 200 people came to our festival.
“We arranged the multi-cultural event ourselves to provide free homemade sweets, food and drinks.
This year we are celebrating for the second time and on behalf of the committee, I would like to invite our Swindon people so that they can come and enjoy a different culture.
“Our Puja committee’s main aim is to celebrate Bengali social, culture and religious events throughout the year so that our next generation will learn and remember about our rich, colourful heritage.
“The festival will start at 10am and we will pray to our goddess Saraswati at 11am.
“The committee has also organised a multi-cultural programme in the evening.”
The event begins with various prayers throughout the day, followed by a cultural programme from 5pm where there will be sari tying facilities for women, henna art work for children and a photo shoot with the goddess.
Music and dance will continue into the evening, with performances from bass player Phil Spalding, Giorgio Mollo, and local artist Adam Hodges, and others.
South Swindon MP Robert Buckland, and Mayor Nick Martin will also be at the celebration.
Last year, a statue of Saraswati was shipped over from Calcutta and installed in pride of place in the venue. The community raised £6,000 to stage the event in 2013, but this year it is more likely to be in the region of £7,000. Call for more details 07946506747.
source:thisiswiltshire.co.uk

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Hindu leaders meet with police after temple armed robbery attempt

Leaders from about a dozen Hindu temples met in Scarborough recently not to discuss spirituality, but safety and security.
Last Sunday night, a man and a woman burst into the Sri Varasiththi Vinayagar Hindu Temple at Kennedy Road and McNicoll Avenue and attempted to rob worshippers at gunpoint.
“It’s terrible what happened in temple because it’s a worship place. We go there to pray,” said Jeya Rajah of the temple. “Those people who do this, they don’t believe in God.”
The community leaders met with police, concerned about recent violations of their sacred places.
It's the fourth time Rajah’s temple has been targeted by thieves. Last summer worshippers at other temples were victims of "snatch and grab" type robberies.
“But there’s nothing in the temple,” he said. “We have decoration pieces but they are not gold. I don’t know what they came for.”
The incidents prompted a police info blitz, but they don’t think any community is being singled out.
“I don’t like to use the term they are targeting any specific culture or community,” said Staff Sgt. Dave Rydzik. “Whether it’s in the Tamil community or Chinese community, if they’re wearing lots of jewelry or carrying lots of money, criminals will target you.”
The Toronto Police Hold Up Squad arrested two people in connection with Sunday's attempted armed robbery, but are still looking for a third suspect.

source:www dot cbc dot ca

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Britain’s first state-funded Hindu school plans large-scale expansion

Posted: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 16:42

Britain's only state-funded Hindu school, located in Harrow Middlesex, is planning a large-scale expansion which will make it one of the largest "faith schools" in the country.

Avanti House School announced on Monday 20 January 2014 that it has identified Whitchurch Playing Fields under Harrow Borough Council as the site where the secondary section of the school will eventually be shifted.

It is within miles of the school's current home, which includes a primary and secondary school set up.

The school is based on a "Hindu ethos" but claims to be open to the community at large. It specialises in maths and performing arts.

The new site, located in the heart of an area with a large population of Indian-origin, would accommodate 1,260 students after reaching full capacity.

Councillor Susan Hall told the school's proponents that a feasibility study will be carried out by the Education Funding Agency. If this is favourable it could lead to the school being opened at its new site in January 2016.

Hall said: "There is a pressing need for more school places in Harrow and a lack of suitable land for development. We have worked closely with the Avanti Schools Trust who already have a strong and indeed unique track record in Harrow serving our significant Hindu community.

"Harrow Council was of course a key partner in delivering the Krishna Avanti Primary School in 2008".

Stephen Evans, the NSS campaigns manager, told The Times: "Our objections to this school are really the same as for any other faith school. In a society already seeing rising tensions over race and religion, it is dangerously misguided to separate children on the grounds of their parents' religion at such a formative time in their lives. Minority faith schools further separate religious minorities from mainstream communities, creating self-imposed segregation. The only fair way forward is to ensure that no religion is allowed control of publicly-funded schools".

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2 charged after armed robbery at Hindu temple

Police believe the minivan pictured belongs to a suspect in a hold-up at a Hindu temple in Scarborough on Jan. 12, 2014. HANDOUT/Toronto Police Service

 
Police released a security video still of a man wanted for a hold-up at a Hindu temple in Scarborough on Jan. 12, 2014. HANDOUT/Toronto Police Service

Two people have been charged in connection with an armed robbery at a Hindu temple in Scarborough, and a third suspect is still at large.
Police said the man and woman targeted the temple, near Kennedy Road and McNicoll Avenue, around 9 p.m. last Sunday.
The woman allegedly pointed a gun at a worshipper and tried to restrain him with zip ties and duct tape. The other suspect, who was also armed, rounded up more victims, but one escaped and called 911.
Both suspects fled before police arrived.
Detectives said the pair had robbed a cellphone store near Sheppard and Bayview last November, and the man had broken in to the same temple on Jan. 7.
Jermaine Copeland, 28, and Kaitlynn Dutton, 19, have been charged with 28 offences, including forcible confinement, assault, and possession of counterfeit money.
Police are looking for another man known as Kumar, who is associated with Copeland and Dutton. They’ve released a security video still of a light-coloured, older-model minivan they believe belongs to him (see above). It was seen leaving the temple on the night of the robbery.

source:citynews dot ca

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Muslims in Bihar Better Off than Dalits, Finds Survey

By IANS - PATNA

Published: 12th January 2014 02:42 PM

Last Updated: 12th January 2014 02:42 PM

The socio-economic condition of Muslims in the state of Bihar is better than that of the state's Dalit Hindus, but worse that upper caste Hindus and Other Backward Castes (OBCs), a survey has found.

"Muslims are better placed in comparison to Dalits in 31 of 37 districts of Bihar, but Muslims are at the bottom at the national level," Abusaleh Shariff, chairperson of the New Delhi-based Centre for Research and Debates in Development Policy said on the basis of a survey conducted by his centre in collaboration with the US-India Policy Institute based in Washington DC.

The report is based on the 2011 census, when the total population in Bihar stood at 10.5 crore, of which 16.5 percent were Muslims.

Twelve development indicators, including health, education and employment have been focused upon in the report to assess the condition of Muslims in Bihar.

Abusaleh, who was also associated with the much-publicised Sachar Committee report on the status of Indian Muslims published in 2006, said that like Kerala, socio-economic condition of Muslims in Bihar had improved fast, thanks to the money-order economy.

"A large proportion of Muslim migrants went outside Bihar and abroad in search of livelihood, and they send remittance that mainly have contributed to improve socio-economic condition of their families," Abusaleh said.

Abusaleh, a noted economist, said the development taking place in Bihar in the last few years also helped to improve the condition of Muslims. "But still, there is need to do more for the development of the Muslims of Bihar," he said.

According to the survey report, in comparison to 12.2 percent upper castes, 13.5 percent rural Muslims have jobs, and against 19 percent urban upper castes, 17.3 percent urban Muslims get job opportunities.

Saibal Gupta, head of the Patna-based Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI), said that the condition of Muslims in Bihar improved in recent years but more needs to be done for their development.

About nine years ago, a survey was conducted by ADRI and sponsored by the Bihar State Minorities Commission, on the socio-economic condition of Muslims in Bihar, showed that Muslims were the poorest community in the state.

That survey report said that about 49.5 percent of rural Muslim families and 44.8 percent of the urban Muslim households fall below the poverty line, 19.9 percent among them are acutely poor, and 28.04 percent Muslims in rural areas are landless labourers.

 

courtesy:newindianexpress dot com

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Widespread attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh on polling day

Dhaka:  In the wake of widespread attacks on Hindus in the country, Bangladesh has decided to set up special tribunals to punish perpetrators of violence against the minority community. Culprits may be tried under the Terrorism Prevention Act - the Law Ministry has consulted the Supreme Court on the matter.

Not a single Hindu died on or around polling day, but houses were allegedly torched, vandalised and looted allegedly by activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami and opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that boycotted the polls.

In one of the worst-affected Hindu villages - Malopara in the Abhaynagar area of Jessore district -houses were vandalised and looted on Sunday and many swam across a nearby river to save their lives during a vicious attack by Jamaat men, angry that the Hindus had dared to vote despite their warnings.

A young woman with a child in her arms said, "They came with stones and started throwing them at us. We hid in boats and went up and down the river all day and night."

Another woman said, "We can't stay in our houses at night. If there is some police, then we can risk it."

The police set up camp soon after and tried to restore some kind of normalcy.

"Jamaat-Shibir men won't dare create trouble in Jessore anymore. Not just in Malopara, anywhere. Even then people are traumatised, terrorised. That is true," said Joydeb Bhadra, Superintendent of Police, Jessore district.

But the situation remains tense in Jessore, Dinajpur and Thakurgaon districts. No minority life was lost - except one man who reportedly died of a heart attack when Jamaat activists set fire to his house in Joypurhat - but the Bangladesh government will have to work very hard to restore confidence in the Hindu community.

Courtesy:ndtv dot com

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BJP Questions Govt's Silence on Attack on Hindus in B'desh

The BJP today questioned the "silence" of the Centre as well as the Assam government over attacks on Hindus during recent elections in Bangladesh and said giving Indian citizenship to Hindu migrants should be considered favourably.

"In the recent polls, Hindus were attacked in Bangladesh. Why Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Tarun Gogoi are silent? Why no step is taken to protect the lives of Hindus there?" BJP's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here.

Suspected opposition activists attacked Hindus at several places in Bangladesh during and after the polls, accusing the minority community of backing the Awami League which swept the elections following a boycott by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

In the wake of widespread attacks on Hindus in the country, Bangladesh had yesterday decided to set up special tribunals under an anti-terror law to punish the perpetrators of violence aimed at the minority community.

Talking about illegal migration from the neighbouring country to Assam, Prasad said "Lots of Hindus have come to Assam. They come due to various reasons, including religious compulsions. There should be a favourable consideration regarding giving Indian citizenship to them."

He, however, alleged the Congress-led governments at the Centre and Assam of supporting the illegal Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh for "vote bank politics".

"In the recent step of the Assam government in asking the migrants to register, BJP senses a sinister move. It is an attempt to influence the voter list. We condemn the step," he added.

Prasad said the UPA government had promised in 2005 to update the National Register of Citizens within a year, but did not complete the process.

On the controversial land swapping agreement with Bangladesh, Prasad said it would require a constitutional amendment and BJP wouldn't allow the Bill to pass in the Parliament.

When asked what would be the BJP's policy regarding deportation of illegal immigrants if it came to power at the Centre, he said "The most important thing is proper detection by a tribunal."

He also alleged that functioning of the erstwhile Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act was very slow and no infrastructure support was given to it.

Courtesy:news dot outlookindia dot com

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Bangladesh Parties Join Hands to Protect Hindus

By IANS - DHAKA

Published: 10th January 2014 05:07 PM

Last Updated: 10th January 2014 05:07 PM

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  Hindus in the district's Sundargang, Sadullyapur, Palashbari and Govindaganj areas are now reportedly living in fear | File/AP

Leaders of the ruling Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have come together to protect the minority Hindu community in Gaibandha district.

Houses of Hindus were attacked, torched and ransacked in various places of the country after the Jan 5 general elections.

Several homes and business establishments of Hindus were targeted in Kuptala, bdnews24.com reported Friday.

The BNP and Awami League leaders of the area agreed to jointly provide security to the Hindu community, the report said.

Hindus in the district's Sundargang, Sadullyapur, Palashbari and Govindaganj areas are now reportedly living in fear.

The joint meeting of the Awami League and BNP was presided by a local leader, Mojibor Rahman.

"The leaders of the two parties have agreed to live peacefully, shunning all sorts of violence," bdnews24.com quoted Rahman as saying.

Awami League's Zeyad Ali said: "Leaders and activists of both parties have agreed to work together to maintain communal harmony."

Faizar Rahman, BNP chief of the area, said: "We want to assure the minorities that such incidents will not recur."

The National Human Rights Commission Wednesday said the Bangladesh government has failed to prevent attacks on Hindus after the elections

Courtesy:newindianexpress dot com

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Mason Assaulted by Caste Hindu Duo

By Express News Service - THOOTHUKUDI

Published: 10th January 2014 10:41 AM

Last Updated: 10th January 2014 10:41 AM

Two caste Hindus were arrested for allegedly attacking a Dalit mason with liquor bottles at Prakasapuram near Nazareth on Wednesday.
Sources said that Chinnadurai(27), son of Narayanan, a mason of Prakasapuram, on Wednesday evening was returning home. While  he was crossing a shop in Nazareth,  four persons on two bikes, who passed through the stretch, insulted him by calling his caste name.
When Chinnadurai questioned them, they stopped their bike and started abusing him. Suddenly two persons, Esakimuthu(27) from Nazareth, and Krishnakumar(28)from Mookuperi, of the four-member group started hurling blows on Chinnadurai.
Police said, both Esakimuthu and Krishnakumar were in an inebriated condition and attacked the Dalit mason with beer bottles. Chinnadurai sustained injuries and was rushed to the Sathankulam GH. The duo were arrested on Wednesday and remanded to custody on Thursday.

source : newindianexpress dot com

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No fun fair on temple grounds

THE Batu Caves Thaipusam task force, a coalition comprising Hindu Temples and Hindu-based NGOs, has banned any form of entertainment during the Thaipusam festival on Jan 17.
The playing of non-religious music and the setting up of a fun fair on temple grounds are also not allowed.
The ban includes the carrying of kavadis that are disrespectful and mock the religious festival.
At a press conference held at the Malaysian Hindu Sangam office, its president Datuk Mogan Shan warned that devotees carrying fancy kavadis, such as those bearing logos of soccer clubs, company logos or other images deemed inappropriate, will not be allowed inside the premises.
This includes kavadi bearers with durians, chillies and apples stuck to their bodies. Items such as swords, tridents, knives, whips, poles, cigar, liquor bottles are also prohibited.
Mohan said leaflets with information on the significance of Thaipusam would be distributed to the public, listing the do’s and don’ts.
“The guidelines are applicable nationwide,” he said.
Meanwhile, Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) councillor G. Gunaraj, who was representing MPS, said the police and about 200 volunteers would be recruited to help ensure that the guidelines are observed.
“The volunteers will be wearing a special T-shirt and cap and stationed in strategic areas to monitor activities,’’ he said.
On the fun fair, Gunaraj said MPS had already issued a notice to the temple that it was not allowed for safety reasons.
“Due to space constraints, it is not conducive to have the fun fair during the festival, so the council will not allow this,’’ he said.
In previous years, the Batu Caves Temple committee leased out space in the temple’s compound to a local operator to set up the fun fair during Thaipusam.
Those interested in volunteering can call 010-298 5002 or visit the task force Facebook page at facebook.com/thaipusam2014

Courtesy:thestar dot com dot my

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Avoid wastage when fulfilling vows, devotees told

Published: Friday January 10, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Friday January 10, 2014 MYT 7:46:16 AM

Overloaded: Visitors throwing rubbish in front of the temple last year . -filepic

Malaysian Hindu Sangam former president Datuk A. Vaithilingam has called on Hindus performing prayers and fullfilling vows to curb wastage during the Thaipusam festival.
Vaithilingam said while rituals and personal practices of devotees were a positive thing, some were no longer practical or conducive.
He cited as example the ritual of breaking coconuts.
“This act symbolises the surrendering of one’s ego and in the past, the broken coconuts were then collected and consumed.
“However, these days the coconuts are disposed of and end up in the landfill, adding to tonnes of waste.
“In view of this, if you wow to break coconuts, then just break one as a symbolic gesture,’’ he said, adding that it would defeat the purpose when one vowed to break thousands of coconuts but employed others to do it,’’ he added.
Vaithilingam also urged devotees who wish to provide free food and drinks to the masses during the Thaipusam festival, to co-ordinate with the NGOs and companies who will also be doing so.
Hindu priest Shiva Sri A.P. Muthukumara Sivachariar agreed with Vaithilingam, saying that the breaking of coconuts no longer seemed like an act of devotion.
He also advised devotees to reduce the number of coconuts they planned to break and donate the money to charity instead.
“On the distribution of free food and drinks, it is my view that there are too many people doing so and that is unnecessary. All the food and coconuts are ending up in DBKL dustbins and should be stopped,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Society of Malaysia (EPSM) said it was happy with the Selayang Municipal Council’s green initiative this year.
It said private companies and NGOs distributing free food and drinks during Thaipusam should follow the rules and be environment-conscious.
EPSM president Nithi Nesadurai said that it was not going to be easy for NGOs, as polystyrene foam cups and packaging were the most convenient way to serve food.
“But it can be done and devotees and visitors can help by bringing along their own utensils,’’ he said.
“It is a shame that such an iconic event is associated with waste and litter everywhere in Batu Caves,’’ he said.
T.M. Ramachandran of the Hindu Seva Sangam (HSS), said the organisers were currently trying to work with a private company to distribute free food using eco-packs.
“It is costlier but much friendlier to the environment,’’ Ramachandran said.
“I also advise people to bring along their own cups and plates,’’ he added.
Malaysian Indian Progressive Association founder and president Rajaretinam Armuggan agreed with Ramachandran and Nithi, and urged the public to bring their cups and plates.

Courtesy:thestar. dot com dot my

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Hindus laud Albuquerque Public Schools for offering yoga

Friday, 10 January 2014, 2:30 pm
Press Release: Zed Rajan
Hindus have applauded Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) in New Mexico (USA) for reportedly offering yoga in its various schools, and have urged all New Mexico school districts to do the same for their pupils.
Calling it a “step in the right direction”, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, suggested all school districts of New Mexico to incorporate yoga in the lives of the students. Yoga, referred as “a living fossil”, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Zed pointed out.
In the 2013-2014 APS Wall Calendar, Superintendent Winston Brooks, in his message, wrote: “We’ve definitely evolved as a district. Just look at the pictures in this calendar:..fourth graders use yoga to help prepare for rigorous learning...”
Its Volcano Vista High School, which reportedly has a yoga room, offers a course titled "Yoga/Pilates" whose "syllabus" says "by incorporating yoga into your lives, you will learn how to harness positive energy and use it to help you focus on you and forget about negativity".
APS has posted "Yoga with Kermit the Frog" PowerPoint presentation on its website; Eisenhower Middle had a "Yoga Class"; Johnson Middle and Coronado Elementary have yoga clubs; APS promoted "asthma and exercise class" last year which started with yoga; West Mesa High is holding one hour weekly Yoga events; Pajarito Elementary last year offered yoga class for the staff; Desert Ridge Middle planned a "short yoga lesson"; Arroyo Del Oso Elementary had monthly yoga events in 2013; Mission Avenue Elementary held yoga workouts in 2013 focusing on "breathing, balance and body control" and exploring a variety of Yoga poses; Family Fitness Nights at Zia Elementary included yoga and it organized a Family Fitness Night in 2013 focusing on "Yoga for the whole family"; Alvarado Elementary finished a Yoga unit in 2013 and its website says that “Yoga is an ancient system of exercise that focuses on integrating mind and body”; its 2013-2014 Wall Calendar shows Longfellow Elementary students practicing yoga; "Yoga by Julia" offers special discount for APS employees; reports suggest.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that yoga, although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.
According to USA’s National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. According to an estimate, about 21 million Americans, including many celebrities, now practice yoga. Yoga was the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Rajan Zed added.
APS, largest school district in New Mexico and 30th largest in USA, has about 90,000 students, including over 5,000 homeless, in its 140 schools. Over a third of its students come from homes where the primary language is not English; and one of its schools has its own film studio. Martin Esquivel is President of APS Board of Education.
ENDS
courtesy:scoop dot co dot nz

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Hartal: Windshield of pvt. bus in Kochi shattered

Shops and establishments along the main roads didn’t open but those in the interior areas functioned as usual.

The hartal called by right wing organisations, including Bharatiya Janata Party, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Hindu Aikya Vedi in the Thrikkakara municipality region in protest against Tuesday’s explosion passed off with a lone case of stone throwing.

A crude device had exploded near the Ayyappa Seva Sangham pavilion close to collectorate junction on Tuesday night.

Hartal supporters threw stone at a private bus at Chembumukku, shattering its windshield. Shops and establishments along the main roads didn’t open but those in the interior areas functioned as usual. District collectorate and Infopark functioned. Bus and other public transport system came to complete halt at least until afternoon.

Hindu organisations supporting the hartal laid siege to the Seaport-Airport Road during the day. The siege was called off at the request of the police to facilitate the movement of inter-district buses. 

source:thehindu dot com

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Hindu Raksha Dal Leader, 12 Others Held for AAP Office Attack

By PTI - GHAZIABAD

Published: 08th January 2014 06:55 PM

Last Updated: 08th January 2014 07:18 PM

 

 

Ghaziabad One of the activists of Hindu Raksha Dal detained by UP police after attack at Aam Aadmi Party's Kaushambi office in Ghaziabad on Wednesday.| PTI 

 

Hours after the attack on Aam Aadmi Party's Kaushambi office here, Ghaziabad Police today arrested the national convenor of Hindu Raksha Dal and 12 others in connection with the incident.    
Hindu Raksha Dal national convenor Pinki Choudhary was arrested from Sahibabad area here and an FIR was lodged against him, along with 30-40 unknown persons, in connection with the attack.        
"We have registered an FIR against Pinky Choudhary and around 30-40 unknown persons for the attack on AAP's office," Deputy Superintendent of Police Ran Vijay Singh said.
"A case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code has been registered," he said, adding that police have so far arrested 13 persons in this regard and more arrests would be made soon.   
"Police are scanning footage of CCTV cameras installed in the party's office to identify other accused, who would also be arrested soon," the DSP said.       
Earlier in the day, activists of Hindu Raksha Dal attacked Aam Aadmi Party's Kaushambi office to protest against AAP leader Prashant Bhushan's remarks on referendum in Kashmir.     
Around 40 activists of Hindu Raksha Dal broke flower pots kept outside the AAP's office and tore party posters. Some glass doors were also smashed in the attack.
"We are against AAP's leader Prashant Bhusan's remarks on Kashmir. The attack was also instigated by Kejriwal's remarks on Batla encounter," Choudhary told reporters here after his arrest.
Bhushan had recently said a referendum should be carried out in Kashmir to decide on deployment of the army to deal with security threats in the Valley.    
Choudhary alleged that another AAP leader had made remarks against Hindu Gods which was not acceptable to them.           
Meanwhile, around 35 activists of the outfit protested outside Indirapuram police station against their leader's arrest this evening, prompting police to lathicharge them to disperse them.

Courtesy:newindianexpress dot com

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Hasina Slams Attacks on Hindus in Poll-Related Violence

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today condemned attacks on Bangladesh's minority Hindu community in post-poll violence and promised stern action against the perpetrators.

"Everyone responsible for the attacks on the minority community will face stern punishment. I have never compromised with terrorism," Hasina told a meeting of her victorious Awami League-led alliance that swept Sunday's general election after a boycott by opposition parties.

She said the paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh, anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion and police have launched a massive campaign to track down those responsible for attacks in the western and north-western areas.

Hasina accused main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its ally, fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami, of intimidating Hindus on the grounds that they are perceived as traditional supporters of her Awami League.

"The attack on the minority community indicates that the character of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami remains unchanged," she said.

Her comments came amid fresh reports of intimidation of Hindus in northwestern Panchagarh, where miscreants vandalised some shops owned by Hindus and torched a house.

The worst attacks were reported from western Jessore on election day, when suspected opposition activists vandalised 130 Hindu homes and torched another 10 in Malopara village as the minority community went to cast votes in defiance of the boycott called by the opposition.

Police said 70 to 80 men attacked Malopara but security forces immediately rushed to the scene. The activists threatened Hindus with dire consequences for voting, sparking panic and prompting the army's intervention.

Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council member Kajal Debnath said in northwestern Dinajpur that 153 Hindu families had their shops and homes vandalised.

According to media reports, Hindus were also attacked in Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha and Thakurgaon in the same region.

"We demand army action to protect our community in troubled areas alongside the other law enforcement agencies, but interventions of all political parties and intellectuals is the most crucial necessity at the moment for their protection," Debnath said.

Courtesy:news dot outlookindia dot com

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High Time for Hindus to Unite, Says Togadia

By Express News Service - SANGAREDDY

Published: 07th January 2014 09:15 AM

Last Updated: 07th January 2014 09:15 AM

It is high time that all the Hindus in the country should unite, said Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Praveen Togadia.
Togadia was on his way to Karnataka from Hyderabad via Sangareddy.
The VHP president stayed overnight at the residence of VHP district president Panyala Prabhakar. Togadia met local VHP leaders on Monday morning. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the situation in the country was very anxious and called upon Hindus to unite.
The lack of unity among Hindus was the main reason for not finding solution to the problems being faced by the country, he added.
Hindus should unite and bring pressure on the government for redressal of problems, he said.

Courtesy:newindianexpress dot com

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Harassed 300 Dalits Embrace Buddhism

 
Residents of Seshasamuthiram Dalit Colony at the Villupuram collectorate on Monday | Express 

Tired of being discriminated against by Caste Hindus for the past two years, around 300 Hindu Dalits of the Seshasamuthiram Colony embraced Buddhism on Monday.
The Dalits were banned from entering the temple and were also not allowed to use the local crematorium. They alleged that the district administration had failed to respond to as many as 28 petitions filed by them in the last two years. Around 79 Dalit families live in a colony in the hamlet which houses over 3,000 Caste Hindus.
“As we are in the minority, Caste Hindus banned our entry inside their temples,” a Dalit said.
So, the Dalits, most of whom are farm labourers, had built a Mariamman temple around a decade ago through donations. They also conducted periodic poojas in the month of Aadi. They also carried out idol processions on bullock carts. In 2012 too, Dalit devotees had built a wooden car to carry the Mariamman idols. “The caste Hindus, however, did not allow the procession to pass through the lone road leading to their temple,” Dalit residents alleged. In September of the same year, the Dalits got a court stay against a Sankarapuram RDO order which prohibited the procession from entering the road leading to caste Hindu areas. The caste Hindus still did not allow the procession to pass through the common state highway. This led to protests by Dalits who demanded the right to conduct the Mariamman procession. “But everything went vain,” said Anjalai (33), a resident at Seshasamuthiram Dalit Colony.
“Subramaniyan, DMDK Panchayat chairman, indirectly supports caste Hindus to safeguard his vote bank,”  Thamayanthi (35), another resident of the colony, said.
Tired of the discrimination and the local administration’s inaction, around 300 Dalits thronged the Villupuram collectorate to submit a petition seeking community certificates as Dalit Buddhists. The petition also stated that the hesitation of the administration in ending the discrimination is the sole reason for their conversion.

courtesy:newindianexpress dot com

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​B’desh Hindu leaders demand more protection for minorities

Dhaka: Human rights groups and Hindu leaders in Bangladesh today demanded more security for religious minorities amid reports that members of the community were attacked in several parts of the country during elections.

Activists of main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its key-ally fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami attacked Hindu households in western Jessore and northwestern Dinajpur, local media reports said.
The Daily Star and several other newspapers said the activists vandalised 130 Hindu houses and torched another 10 in Malopara village as they went to cast votes defying the opposition call for the boycott.
Police, however, said 70 to 80 men attacked the  village but joint forces comprising police and paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh chased them away.
The activists threatened the Hindus of dire consequence for voting, sparking panic and prompting the army “striking forces” intervention.

“We were on election duty. In spite of that we rushed here to protect the villagers,” Maj Rahman last night said, adding that a temporary police camp was installed at the area.

“Some 400 Hindus were forced to flee their homes and take refuge on the other side of the local Bhairab river fearing fresh attacks,” Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddho-Cristian Oikya Parishad vice president Kajal Debnath told PTI.
Other reports said Hindus came under attack also at Pornia area in northwestern Dinajpur overnight where the opposition activists severely assaulted 10 elderly people of the community and vandalised over 10 houses for defying their calls for election boycott.
But army intervened, forcing the activists to flee.

“We demand intensified protection…we don’t want to be traded off politically or used for anybody’s political purpose,” Debnath told PTI in an apparent reference to a perception that the Hindus were traditionally supporters of Awami League, which pursue a policy of secularism.

He added: “Keep me (Hindus) beyond (political) focus, I don’t want to be a victim.”
According to media reports, only a small number of Hindus cast their votes in north-western Lalmonirhat and southwestern Satkhira either fearing attacks by opposition activists.
They said most of the Hindu villagers were annoyed with the government for not taking adequate steps for their protection during earlier such attacks in recent months when the opposition spearheaded anti-government campaigns.
The five persons, missing since January three, were suspected to have been killed due to a land dispute and buried in a freshly dug pit.
courtesy:freepressjournal dot in

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