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

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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)

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

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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

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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)

VHP leader Praveen Togadia barred from entering Bengaluru

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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

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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)

Karnataka Forest & Environment Minister threatens to quit over Sangh Parivar’s influence on intelligence wing

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Ramanatha-Rai

Mangaluru: Claiming that the state intelligence department was filled with officials who were in favour of the Sangh Parivar, Minister for Forest and Environment B Ramanath Rai has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to identify such officials in the department and replace them on the grounds that they did not work in favour of maintaining law and order situation.

According to highly-placed sources in the Congress party, the minister opined that such officials did not submit intelligence reports that worked in favour of the law and order situation and gave false information especially in the context of Dakshina Kannada district.

Resignation threat

A local media report claimed that Mr Rai has also threatened to resign from the post of the minister over Sangh Parivar’s influence on intelligence department.

He also has expressed dissatisfaction at the direct involvement of state party leaders in the party affairs in Dakshina Kannada district, report said.

Stating that the failure and non-cooperation of the intelligence department was the reason for the recent communal clashes in the district, Mr Rai has been appealing to the chief minister to reconstitute the intelligence department since it was not possible to control law and order at the last instant if the intelligence officials submitted reports favouring the Sangh Parivar. It is said that the minister was not happy with the lack of response in this regard.

The intelligence department officials are aware of the imminent threats and where clashes and riots are going to occur. However, they are misguiding the government by providing false information. By this, the people affected by the clashes are disappointed with the government, which could weaken the future prospects of the Congress party, say sources close to Mr Rai. It is said that Mr Rai had already brought this to the notice of the chief minister two weeks ago.

Sources have said that the district in-charge minister Rai has also expressed displeasure over the political developments in Puttur constituency in the district, primely over the constituency MLA Shakunthala Shetty having taken suggestions from party chief G Parameshwar while nominating office bearers in local bodies instead of having asked him. The minister is of the opinion that the activities of the MLA went against the interest of the party.

(CD Network)

Education getting rapidly 'saffronised': Archbishop

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Archbishop Bernard Moras

Bengaluru: Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore on Thursday expressed his concern over the ‘rapid saffronisation’ of the education system in the country and the slow disappearance of secularism in educational institutions.

Addressing the 17th All India Association for Christian Higher Education conference here on Thursday, the archbishop said India was a multicultural society and the education imparted at Christian institutions was for all. He said the institutions were not only imparting education, but also preparing the future generation to become the leaders of the nation.

He said though it had been more than six decades since the country attained independence, nearly 30 per cent of the population did not have access to basic education. However, he said, South India was fortunate enough to have a large number of educational institutions.

H G Dr Jacob Mar Irenios, Metropolitan of Kochi, Malankara Orthodox Church, urged the leaders of the Church to contribute to improving the quality of education. Rev Dr Prasanna Kumar, secretary and bishop-designate, Diocese of Central Karnataka of the Church of South India, was also present on the occasion.

VHP to organise 'Ram Mahotsava' for building temple in Ayodhya

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vhp

Lucknow: Seeking to “mobilise Hindus” and “remind them of their resolve” for construction of a Ram temple, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is planning to organize ‘Ram Mahotsava’ for the first time on the lines of Durga Puja aross the country.

“We will celebrate Ram Mahotsava from March 21 or March 22 and it will continue till April 1. This will be for the first time that such an event is being organised by the organisation,” VHP Media incharge Sharad Sharma said today.

This programme would be organised in every village in the country, he said.

“It will give strength to Ram Janmbhoomi movement. The programme will not only be organised in villages where temples are located, but at those places also where there is no such arrangement,” Sharma told PTI here.

“During the Mahotsava, two to two-and-a-half feet tall statues of Lord Ram will be worshipped for 10 days as it is done during Navratras. These statues will either be enshrined permanently or immersed,” he said.

He said Hindus have already been asked to take a pledge for construction of the temple.
“But strengthen the resolve and to ensure that it is fulfilled, people will be asked to renew their pledge,” Sharma said.

“We plan to reach 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh villages across the country. In Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand, we will make efforts to reach each and every village,” he said.

The VHP media in-charge said that the organisation has planned 600 Hindu Sammelans or conclaves across the country.

(Agencies)

Hindu Mahasabha's latest diktat: Bollywood’s Khans should convert to Hinduism

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bollywood-khans

Meerut: Since last year, there have been a series of controversies pertaining to attempts by hard-core Hindu outfits, which were involved in reconversion campaigns. Now, in order to glam up the issue, a Hindu outfit has targeted Bollywood Khans, who are married to Hindu women.

The Hindu Mahasabha has dared Shah Rukh Khan, Amir Khan and Saif Ali Khan to convert to Hinduism to prove their love for their wives.

The Hindu Mahasabha, in an editorial in its weekly publication Hindu Sabha Varta, has challenged Shahrukh, Amir and Saif to convert to Hinduism if they really love their wives, according to The Hindu.

The report added that the editor of the weekly described their wives as victims of “love jihad”.

While Shah Rukh is married to Gauri Khan, Amir Khan to Kiran Rao and Saif Ali Khan to Kareena Kapoor.

In Gujarat, all schools asked to perform 'compulsory' Saraswati Puja

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Representational Image. Courtesy: TakeEarth

Representational Image. Courtesy: TakeEarth

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad School Board has whipped up a controversy with its circular asking all schools to hold ‘Saraswati Vandana’ on Vasant Panchami on Saturday, drawing accusations of promoting ruling BJP’s Hindutva agenda and warnings of legal action and protest by Congress.

“Vasant Panchami is the occasion to remember Goddess of knowledge Maa Saraswati Devi. To make students understand the importance of education, schools need to organize Saraswati Puja and make students recite prayers of Saraswati during prayer gathering. Also, make them understand how Vasant Panchami is celebrated in other states,” reads the January 19 circular issued by the board.

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) School Board runs around 450 primary schools in the city, including 64 Urdu medium schools, mostly in Muslim dominated areas attended by around 16,000 students from the minority community.

The circular has raised the hackles of opposition Congress, which has dubbed the move as an attack on the fundamental rights of Muslims. All forms of idolatry is prohibited in Islam.

Congress councillor from Sarkhej ward Haji Mirza Baig called it an attempt to promote the BJP’s Hindutva agenda.

“In a democracy, everyone has the right to follow their religion and related rituals. This circular is an attack on the freedom of not only Muslims, but also of other religions. Why (do) they want Muslim students to perform puja? It should not be made compulsory in Urdu schools,” said Baig.

“Congress councillors will stage protest against such dictatorial approach of AMC. Urdu schools, where majority students are Muslims, must be kept away from this order. Otherwise, we will take legal action and knock the doors of the court,” he warned.

Amid the mounting outcry over its circular, the board attempted a damage control with its chairman claiming it was not intended to hurt anybody’s religious sentiments.

“Our sole aim is to promote the quest for knowledge among children and not to hurt the followers of any religion,” Jagdish Bhavsar, chairman of the board, said.

“Everybody prays and worships in his own way. If they are not comfortable with offering prayers to Saraswati, they can do ‘Ibadat’ (worship) in their own way. The only aim of this circular is to make children aware of the importance of education,” he said.

AMC School Board’s administrator L D Desai appeared to defend the move, saying, “Saraswati is the goddess of education and schools are temples of education for students of all religions. Thus, we just want students to understand the importance of education by remembering the goddess through prayer on that day.”

Describing it as an “educational and not religious” programme, Desai said,”There is absolutely no controversy. None of the Urdu medium schools have approached us against this programme.

(PTI)

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