Nasheman

India's largest selling Urdu weekly, now also in English

You are here: Home / Archives for Communalism

Bengaluru: VHP to hold live telecast of Praveen Togadia's speech

by

Praveen Togadia

Bengaluru: A day after Karnataka High Court rejected VHP’s plea for a stay on the police order banning its leader Praveen Togadia’s entry into the city on grounds of law and order, the saffron outfit has made all arrangements to live telecast his speech through video-conferencing at the ‘Hindu Virat Samavesha’ to be held here tomorrow.

“Togadia has already reached Karnataka borders and will enter the state today or tomorrow. There is a stay on his entry into Bengaluru city, but there isn’t on his giving speech through video-conferencing mechanism,” VHP’s State Public Relations Officer Manjunath Swamy told reporters here.

Justice Abdul Nazir had on Saturday turned down the interim prayer by Karnataka VHP Organising Secretary Keshav Hegde for staying the police commissioner’s order banning Togadia’s entry into the city from February 5 to 11.

City Police Commissioner MN Reddi had earlier this week imposed the ban on the ground that Togadia’s “provocative and inflammatory” speeches would have “grave” consequences and likelihood of breach of peace.

Swamy said they have invited some television channels to live telecast Togadia’s speech arranged outside Bengaluru for tomorrow’s event here.

On City Police Commissioner MN Reddi’s remark that the live telecast even from outside Bengaluru will amount to an offence, Swamy said, “It will not amount to an offence. The Police Commissioner can tell many things. Even I am an advocate and tell you that it will not amount to an offence. If it is done, then it will be an anti-democratic act.” Reddi told reporters that any speech made by Togadia through video-conferencing will amount to offence.

“It will amount to an offence. We will do everything to issue a ban order on Togadia using video-conferencing mechanism to deliver speech,” he said.

VHP had challenged the police commissioner’s prohibitory orders on Togadia’s entry into the city in the High Court with the interim prayer for a stay on the ban.

While declining the interim plea, the Judge, however, said the writ petition filed by Hegde was maintainable and adjourned the matter without mentioning the next date of hearing.

(PTI)

Protest in Bengaluru against 'Attacks' on Churches

by

church-attack-bangalore

Bengaluru: Nuns, priests and archbishops chanted Hail Mary on the streets of Bengaluru on Friday, as thousands of Christians took out a procession in the city against the recent attacks on churches in Delhi.

The rally began at the St. John’s College of Nursing just off the busy Hosur Road and saw the protesters marching, carrying banners.

Participants spoke of the need to be allowed to practice their religion with freedom and called for attacks on churches to stop.

The Archbishop of Bengaluru, Rev Bernard Moras, along with other Archbishops from around the country brought up the rear of the procession.

“Hardly a day has passed off in recent months without reports of attacks on Christians, Churches and Christian institutions from across the nation,” said a statement by the archbishops.

“The police manhandling of peaceful gathering of even women, children, nuns and priests at the gate of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in the heart of New Delhi on February 5, 2015 raises questions whether constitutional guarantees are not applicable to the Christian community,” the statement added.

Yesterday, a large number of policemen cracked down on a protest in Delhi against attacks on churches, and dragged activists, including priests, into buses.

The protest outside the Sacred Heart cathedral in the heart of the city was “unlawful”, said the police, who were seen pulling women and even children, leaving bags and shoes scattered on the road.

Christian groups had organized a silent march to highlight what they called lack of serious action in recent attacks on churches. They said they would march to Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence.

There have been five attacks on churches since December. Some Christian groups suspect a pattern of orchestrated attacks, and say the police are undermining them.

(Agencies)

The New York Times slams Modi’s dangerous silence on communal attacks in India

by

Modi-protest-us

New York: After U.S. President Barack Obama raised the issue of religious intolerance in India, The New York Times (NYT) published a very strong editorial criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what it calls his “dangerous silence” on a series of communal events in the country.

The editorial, by the NYT editorial board, lists recent attacks on churches and reports of Ghar Vapsi or conversion and marks out the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for its proposed conversions programme in Ayodhya in March this year, saying the group “was playing with fire.” “Mr. Modi’s continued silence before such troubling intolerance increasingly gives the impression that he either cannot or does not wish to control the fringe elements of the Hindu nationalist right,” the NYT editorial surmised.

New York Times editorial: ‘Modi’s Dangerous Silence’

Full text of the Editorial published in the New York Times on February 6, 2015:

What will it take for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak out about the mounting violence against India’s religious minorities? Attacks at Christian places of worship have prompted no response from the man elected to represent and to protect all of India’s citizens. Nor has he addressed the mass conversion to Hinduism of Christians and Muslims who have been coerced or promised money. Mr. Modi’s continued silence before such troubling intolerance increasingly gives the impression that he either cannot or does not wish to control the fringe elements of the Hindu nationalist right.

Recently, a number of Christian churches in India have been burned and ransacked. Last December, St. Sebastian’s Church in East Delhi was engulfed in fire. Its pastor reported a strong smell of kerosene after the blaze was put out. On Monday, St. Alphonsa’s Church in New Delhi was vandalised. Ceremonial vessels were taken, yet collection boxes full of cash were untouched. Alarmed by the attacks, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has urged the government to uphold the secular nature of India and to assure its Christians they are “protected and secure” in their own country.

There is also concern about the mass conversions. Last December, about 200 Muslims were converted to Hinduism in Agra. In January, up to 100 Christians in West Bengal “reconverted” to Hinduism. Hard-line Hindu nationalist groups, like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), make no secret of their support for a “homecoming” campaign designed to “return” non-Hindus to the fold. More than 80 per cent of Indians are Hindu, but Pravin Togadia of the VHP says his organisation’s goal is a country that is 100 per cent Hindu. The only way to achieve that is to deny religious minorities their faith.

The VHP is reportedly planning a mass conversion of 3,000 Muslims in Ayodhya this month. The destruction of the Babri Mosque there in 1992 by Hindu militants touched off riots between Hindus and Muslims across India that left more than 2,000 people dead. The VHP knows it is playing with fire.

Mr. Modi has promised an ambitious agenda for India’s development. But, as President Obama observed in a speech in New Delhi last month: “India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of religious faith.” Mr. Modi needs to break his deafening silence on religious intolerance.

Karnataka high court upholds ban on Praveen Togadia

by

Praveen Togadia

Bengaluru: The Karnataka high court today upheld Bengaluru police commissioner’s order on banning entry of VHP leader Praveen Togadia into Bengaluru.

He was to take part in Virat Hindu Samavesha, which will be held at National College grounds on February 8.

Advocate General (AG) Ravivarma Kumar on Thursday had submitted to the high court that Togadia was a dangerous man who could disrupt the communal harmony in the State through his provocative speeches.

In likelihood that Togadia may deliver provative speech at the Hindu convention, the Bengaluru police commissioner issued orders banning Togadia from entering Bengaluru between February 5 and February 11. The decision has been met with much criticism from right wing groups and religious leaders, and also the opposition BJP, which crippled the House proceedings for two consecutive days and even staged a walkout.

BJP walks out of Karnataka Assembly against ban on Togadia

Earlier, on Wednesday the BJP MLAs raised objection in the Karnataka Assembly to the ban on VHP leader Praveen Togadia entering Bengaluru, leading to the adjournment of the House repeatedly.

BJP leader R Ashoka raised the issue as the House met for the day and questioned the government’s intention behind the action and called it an attempt to “suppress” the majority, leading to a heated argument between BJP and Congress MLAs.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah intervened to say government would not allow anything that disturbs peace in society. This further angered BJP members.

The Speaker said he would give permission to raise the issue during Zero Hour and Question Hour should be allowed to function smoothly, to which members agreed.

(Agencies)

Religious intolerance in India would have shocked Gandhi: Obama

by

Photo: PTI

Photo: PTI

Washington: US President Barack Obama on Thursday said the “acts of intolerance” experienced by religious faiths of all types in India in the past few years would have shocked Mahatma Gandhi.

The comments by Obama came a day after the White House refuted suggestions that the US President’s public speech in New Delhi in which he touched upon religious tolerance was a “parting shot” aimed at the ruling BJP.

“Michelle and I returned from India – an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity – but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs – acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation,” Obama said in his remarks at the high-profile National Prayer Breakfast.

The US President, who has just returned from India, was referring to violence against followers of various religions in India in the past few years. He, however, did not name any particular religion and said the violence is not unique to one group or one religion.

“Humanity has been grappling with these questions throughout human history. And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ.

“In our home country, slavery and Jim Crow (racial segregation state and local laws) all too often was justified in the name of Christ,” he said, addressing the gathering of over 3,000 US and international leaders.

“There is a tendency in us, a sinful tendency that can pervert and distort our faith. In today’s world, when hate groups have their own Twitter accounts and bigotry can fester in hidden places in cyberspace, it can be even harder to counteract such intolerance.”But God compels us to try. “And in this mission, I believe there are a few principles that can guide us, particularly those of us who profess to believe,” he said.

In a US-style Town Hall address in New Delhi on January 27, the last day of his India trip, Obama had made a strong pitch for religious tolerance, cautioning that India will succeed so long as it was not “splintered along the lines of religious faith”.

The White House yesterday strongly refuted allegations that Obama’s remarks on religious tolerance was aimed at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying the speech in its entirety was about the “core democratic values and principles” of both the US and India.

(PTI)

Protests over church attack ahead of polls in the capital

by

Indian Christians protest outside the Delhi police headquarters in New Delhi on December 2, 2014 after a Catholic church was badly damaged in a fire which some suspect was arson. EPA

File photo of protest outside the Delhi police headquarters in New Delhi on December 2, 2014 after a Catholic church was badly damaged in a fire which some suspect was arson. EPA

New Delhi: Just ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, hundreds of Delhiites have come together for a protest march over the recent church attacks and governments inaction in the case.

The protesters will be marching from the Scared Heart Church till Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence in Delhi.

It’s a silent protest to express our anguish over government’s inaction in the church attack cases, said a protester to TV reporters.

The protesters demand an answer as to why police has not taken any action against the miscreants and why the government is silent.

The Delhi police has reached the spot and is detaining the protesters.

Section 144 has been imposed outside Home Minister’s residence.

A church was vandalised by unidentified miscreants in South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area on Feb 2, 2015.

This is the fifth such attack on a church since November last year.

Last month, a church was vandalised in West Delhi’s Vikaspuri area. In December, the St Sebastian’s Church in Dilshad Garden, was partly gutted and the Christian community had alleged foul play in the incident.

(Agencies)

NHRC asks for report on Delhi church attack

by

This is the fifth attack on a church since December.

This is the fifth attack on a church since December.

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday issued notice to the union home ministry, Delhi government and Delhi Police for a detailed report, including the status of investigation, into the ransacking-cum-theft in a Delhi church.

The NHRC issued notice to the secretary of the home ministry, chief secretary of Delhi government and the Delhi Police Commissioner to submit their reports on the allegations of desecration of the St. Alphonsa’s Church in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj in the early hours of Monday.

“Home ministry, Delhi government and the Delhi Police have been given ten days’ time to respond,” said a NHRC release.

The NHRC intervened in the matter after taking suo motu cognizance of media reports about the incident of breaking open the doors of the St. Alphonsa’s Church and defiling of the place of worship and the objects held sacred, the release said.

The church’s administration Monday claimed it did not seem to be just an incident of theft as this was the fifth case within nine weeks when a church in Delhi was targeted.

A few sacred items, including a ciborium (receptacle) and a monstrance kept inside a tabernacle, a cabinet made of wood and glass, were taken away.

The release said the NHRC also received a telephonic information from advocate Manoj V. George alleging that the police were not taking necessary and appropriate action.

“The commission has observed that the intention of the offenders appears to be to insult a particular religion and…promote disharmony… the matter involves serious issues relating to violation of human rights and requires the intervention of the commission to ensure prompt investigation,” the release said.

Earlier, NHRC member Justice Cyriac Joseph accompanied by some officers visited the church Monday and met Fr. Vincent, the priest at the church.

“Fr. Vincent explained to the NHRC team the nature and the extent of damage caused to the church. He said that the miscreants entered the church by breaking open the front main door. The tabernacle on the main altar directly below the main crucifix was opened and the Chalice and the Monstrance were removed from the tabernacle and the Holy Communion Hosts were thrown around the place,” the release said.

Fr. Vincent informed the NHRC team that the adjacent room called the Sacristy in which vestments and clothing and valuable articles like Chalice were kept, was also ransacked, the release said.

“He alleged that the intention of the miscreants was not to commit theft or burglary, as neither the money kept in three offering boxes nor any valuable objects were taken away. The act was to desecrate the sanctity of the church and to create a sense of insecurity in the minds of religious minority,” the release said.

As per the release, Fr. Vincent also expressed the apprehension that there was an attempt to downplay the incident as mere a theft or a burglary.

However, the release added, the senior police officials present on the spot during the visit of the NHRC members denied the allegation and the reports that the FIR was registered showing the offence as theft or burglary.

“The ACP (Assistant Commissioner of Police) assured that FIR would be registered on the basis of the written complaint dated and in the light of the statement recorded by the police from Fr. Vincent Salvatore. The police officer asserted that there was no inaction on the part of the police and the investigation would be conducted strictly and accordance with law,” the release said.

(IANS)

VHP leader Praveen Togadia barred from entering Bengaluru

by

Praveen Togadia

Bengaluru: Senior VHP leader Praveen Togadia has been barred from entering Bengaluru from February 5 to February 10.

Bengaluru police commissioner M N Reddi has issued a notice to Togadia prohibiting him from entering the city.

The VHP leader was scheduled to attend ‘Hindu Virat Samavesha’ convention on February 8 in the city.

The ban came in the wake of provocative speeches made by Praveen Togadia in the past.

Sources said that VHP is planning to organise ‘Ghar Wapsi’ after the convention on February 8.

(Agencies)

VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi stokes fresh controversy with communal rants

by

sadhvi_prachi

Badaun: VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi has stoked fresh controversy by making inflammatory remarks on the issue of ‘love jihad’ and defending her statement that Hindu women should have four children.

“They are trapping our daughters through ‘love jihad’. These people who give birth to 35-40…. Are spreading love jihad….. They are trying to make Hindustan into Darul Islam.

“When I made the remarks, it was as if the country was hit by a quake. The media said you have sparked an uproar with your remarks on four children. I said I have only advocated four children for Hindus not 40…. And it is important because the country needs it,” the saffron clad leader said at a function organised here by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) which “felicitated” Hindus who have more than four children.

Prachi had contested the 2012 Assembly elections on BJP ticket from Purkazi constituency in UP. She was among persons accused of inciting riots through their provocative speeches in Muzaffarnagar in 2013 and was later granted bail.

The latest hate speech came despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warning to party leaders to restrain from making controversial comments which can overshadow his government’s agenda of development and economic reforms.

The BJP was quick to distance itself from Prachi’s remarks, saying the party does not agree with such views and is not interested in discussing any such issue.

“The BJP does not agree with any such comment. We do not think that the comments are correct. BJP does not want to discuss any issue other than good governance and even the people are not ready to accept any such discussion.

“Under such circumstances, there is no significance of such remarks,” said chief of BJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit Laxmikant Bajpai.

He asserted that the leader was not speaking at a party platform.

Prachi felicitated 20 persons, who had more than four children at the ‘Virat Hindu Sammelan’ organised by VHP here yesterday. Those “honoured” included Dwarika Singh, who have 11 children, Rampal Singh and Surnam Singh, who have nine children each.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Sadhvi Prachi said, “Why family planning is implemented for Hindus only.”

On “Ghar Wapasi”, she said that if 1,400 years ago everyone was Hindu, “UP Urban Development Minister Azam Khan, Jama Masjid’s Imam Bukhari, former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Yusuf Raza Gilani should also do ghar wapasi”, a term used for reconverting into Hinduism.

Prachi said that she was not against love but against “Love Jihad”.

“A campaign is being run to trap Hindu girls in the name of love,” she said.

The sadhvi had drawn criticism last month over her remarks that Hindu women should have four kids.

“Earlier we used to say ‘hum do hamare do’. But now we have started saying that ‘sher ka bachcha ek hi achha’ (for a lion, one offspring is enough). This is wrong,” Prachi had said at a gathering in Bhilwara.

“If there is one child, where all will you send him? To protect the border… Or make him a scientist or he will take care of business…. So, we need four children. One can go to protect the borders, one can serve the society, give one to the saints and one to VHP to serve the nation and protect the culture. This is very important,” she had said.

Demanding a law to ban forced conversions, Prachi had supported the VHP’s ‘Ghar Wapsi’ or reconversion programme.

“If a son is angry due to the some reason and leaves the house, should he not be allowed to return. Should the family not accept him?

“That’s why ‘Ghar Wapsi’ should be supported,” she said.

Earlier, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj drew criticism when he asked Hindu women to have at least four children, with the opposition accusing BJP of trying to polarise the atmosphere.

BJP on its part had distanced itself from the remarks of Maharaj, who was also served a show cause notice, and urged its workers and public representatives to refrain from making such comments.

(PTI)

Church vandalized in Delhi, 5th attack in 2 months

by

This is the fifth attack on a church since December.

This is the fifth attack on a church since December.

New Delhi: St. Aphonsa’s church in Vasant Kunj area, South Delhi was vandalized by some unidentified miscreants today. This is the fifth such attack on a church in the national capital in two months.

The incident occurred at around 1 am. The miscreants threw away prayers items kept in the church and damaged a few other things, according to police.

Police officials are present on the spot but no FIR has been registered yet.

“We are investigating the incident and scanning the footage of CCTV installed near the church to identify the accused,” said a police official.

Earlier, a church was vandalized in West Delhi’s Vikaspuri area in the wee hours of Jan 14, 2015.

(Agencies)

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives