He said: “It is a responsibility of each citizen of India to maintain the law and order situation. It was my little step towards helping people. I welcome Muslim people to offer namaz at my place.”…reports Asian Lite News.
Stories of humanity and brotherhood continue to strengthen society. One such report was received from Gurugram, where a Hindu man offered the roof of his house for Friday namaz.
The man, Akshay Rao said: “I offered the land to the Muslim community as it was facing problems post objections raised by right wing outfits. The right wing outfits have raised objection to Muslims offering namaz in open spaces, post which 50 per cent of such prayers could not be held. Such an initiative can help to maintain harmony in the society. I will also provide the roof of my property, where every Friday, some people can comfortably offer prayers.”
He said: “It is a responsibility of each citizen of India to maintain the law and order situation. It was my little step towards helping people. I welcome Muslim people to offer namaz at my place.”
More than 25 people can offer prayers at the place offered by Rao.
Meanwhile, Muslim representatives have demanded that the district administration should open the 19 mosques under the Waqf Board, which are currently unused, for offering namaz.
Welcoming Rao’s initiative, Muslim Ekta Manch chairman Haji Shehzad Khan, said: “It’s a good initiative that a Hindu brother nearby gave his place to offer Friday prayers. There is a dispute regarding open Namaz in sector 12 of Gurugram. We are peace-loving people and do not want to disturb law and order.”
The petitioner accused that the ETPB had forged documents to prove the Sindh Heritage Department issued a no objection certificate (NOC) for the demolition of a Dharamshala, a shelter for Hindu pilgrims…reports Asian Lite News
The Pakistan Supreme Court has asked the chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board to appear before it on Tuesday to explain the alleged sale of a Hindu property in Karachi, Dawn news reported.
“Under what law are the properties belonging to the minorities being sold?” asked Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed during the hearing of a petition submitted by Vankwani complaining that the apex court’s directives about the protection of properties belonging to minority communities were not being implemented.
Vankwani is the patron of the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC).
He approached the court with a plea to ensure the implementation of a 2014 judgement which spelt out guidelines for the government to promote religious and cultural tolerance in society by developing curricula for schools and colleges, the Dawn news report said.
The judgement had proposed a task force for promoting tolerance and establishing a police unit to protect the minorities’ places of worship.
The petitioner claimed an inquiry had found that the ETPB had forged documents to prove the Sindh Heritage Department issued a no objection certificate (NOC) for the demolition of a Dharamshala, a shelter for Hindu pilgrims, in Karachi. The piece of land, spread over 716 square yards, was then handed over to a builder for the construction of a shopping centre, the report said.
On June 11, the Supreme Court had ordered the Sindh government’s Heritage Department and the ETPB not to demolish any part of the Dharamshala, in Karachi’s Saddar.
The apex court had directed Karachi’s commissioner to take over the building so that no person trespassed upon the premises, the report added.
In his application, Vankwani requested the apex court to transfer control of the premises to the management of the nearby Baghani Temple. He called for an inquiry by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) into the alleged forging of documents and demolition of the heritage property by the ETPB.
The applicant said the Evacuee Trust Property Board had not complied with the court’s directive that the ETPB release an amount of 38 million PKR to the (PHC), which it had incurred on the construction and restoration of the Samadhi (shrine) of Shri Paramhans Dayal Ji Maharaj (Teri temple) in Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the report added.
The K-P government had given a grant of 2 million PKR to the PHC for the restoration work, which cost a total of 40 million PKR.
“But unfortunately ETPB has not paid the balance amount of 38 million PKR to PHC even though eight months have elapsed since the issuance of the order (on February 8),” Vankwani alleged.
He urged the Supreme Court to issue a fresh directive to ETPB for payment of 38 million PKR to PHC and to initiate contempt proceedings against the organisation.
The applicant informed the court that a total of 1,831 temples and gurdwaras were under the ETPB’s jurisdiction, but only 31 of them were being used for worship these days. The remaining have either been closed down, encroached upon or given on lease to a third party, the report said.
The petitioner complained that a man by the name of Mahboob Qazi, who claimed to be a government employee, had hurled death threats against him.
“His (Qazi’s) hit men came to my apartment in Karachi’s Bath Island last week and thrashed my guards,” Vankwani added.
The Supreme Court asked the Inspector General of Sindh to submit a report about the threats on Tuesday.
This ceremony coincides with the Dubai EXPO, where the BAPS Hindu Mandir is exhibited through the “Three Rivers Story” displayed within the India pavilion…reports Asian Lite News
BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi witnessed another construction milestone ceremony called “Pratham Shila Sthaapan Saptah”- This auspicious weeklong ceremony starts today, 9Th of November, and will go on till the 16 of November at the BAPS Hindu Mandir site in Abu Dhabi.
Pratham Shila Sthaapan Saptah ceremony -min
This ceremony was held in the presence of Pujya Brahmvihari Swami, sadhus and more than 300 dignitaries along with devotees, volunteers and well-wishers from all around the world, who participated to witness the first carved sacred stones being placed upon the foundation’s five-meter high plinth. A team of 17 stone artisans has arrived to work on this one-of-its-kind historic Hindu mandir, in the region.
PUJYA BRAHMAVIHARI SWAMI: “Most of us have been following the visible progress of this Temple since 2018 with several historic and memorable ceremonies. This is yet another but very important construction milestone as we will now get the first glimpse of the blueprints of this marvelous temple come to life. Over the next few days, visitors will be able to appreciate the intricate art and universal value stories carved on each stone. These stories etched on the stones, will forever celebrate the values of Human Harmony. We all are extremely grateful to one and all for their prayers, love and support to help fulfil this spiritual dream day by day and brick by brick.”
He further thanked the hundreds of volunteers and well-wishers who have been tirelessly and selflessly spending their valuable time to ensure that this dream becomes a reality. The stonework for the Mandir is being sculpted by more than 2,000 skilled artisans in India and then shipped to the UAE to be assembled on the site like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
The Mandir will be the first and the only such stone structure which will have more than 300 hi tech sensors embedded at 10 different levels to provide online active data of stress, pressure, temperature and seismic events for the next 50 years. The building will have no steel reinforcements reflecting Vedic architecture of ancient religious shrines in India.
This ceremony coincides with the Dubai EXPO, where the BAPS Hindu Mandir is exhibited through the “Three Rivers Story” displayed within the India pavilion.
Hasanul Haq expressed apprehensions that terrorists may resort to more sporadic attacks targeting minorities…reports Asian Lite News
Tensions are simmering as unabated targeted attacks are being carried out against Hindus in Bangladesh, attacks that started in Cumilla during Durga Puja have spread to other parts and there are reports of violence, arson and killing from various parts of the country.
Speaking to ANI in a telephonic conversation, former Information Minister of Bangladesh Hasanul Haq, who is also chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Information and Broadcasting, said these attacks are on the secular Awami League government and there is no communal tension between Hindus and Muslims on the ground.
“There is no tension between Hindus and Muslims on the ground and they are living in harmony. It is an attempt by terrorists and zealots to target the secular government of Sheikh Hasina. Fear lingers that terrorists may do a sporadic attack on temples, monasteries and churches to vitiate the atmosphere and target secular Sheikh Hasina government,” he said.
Hasanul Haq expressed apprehensions that terrorists may resort to more sporadic attacks targeting minorities and asserted that the government will go to the bottom of the matter and a crackdown is being carried out.
“Sheikh Hasina government is following the policy of secularism. It is our constitutional duty to protect minorities, we stand with them. Crackdown against terrorists is going on. Forty persons have been picked up,” he said.
“Finger of suspicion is on terrorists. There is one overground Jamaat-e-Islami and 15 covert terror groups operating in Bangladesh,” he added.
He said 32,000 pandals had been organized during Durga Puja and all Hindus and Muslims were in a festive mood.
“We protected them, 50 came under attack. The government will rebuild houses, temples destroyed in the attacks,” the former minister said.
Hasanul Haq today visited the attack site and spent time with victims in the Rangpur district located in north Bangladesh. He also visited the ISCKON temple. (ANI)
Hasina again promised strong action against those involved in provoking communal disturbances by spreading fake photos of the Quran being placed at the feet of a Hindu deity in a Comilla temple…reports Sumi Khan
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday assured the Hindu community that they will continue to enjoy equal rights and freely celebrate their festivals as she promised strong action against those who indulged in violence and vandalism at temples and Durga Puja pandals in Comilla and elsewhere.
“You are considered as citizens of this country. You live in equal rights. You will enjoy equal rights. You will observe your religion and celebrate festivals with equal rights. That’s what we want. This is the real policy of our Bangladesh and our ideal.
“I urge you again never to think of yourself as a minority,” she said, joining the Mahanabami of Durga Puja, organised by the Mahanagar Sarvajanin Puja Committee at Dhakeshwari Mandir in Dhaka, virtually from her official residence, Ganobhaban.
“The minority-majority here should not be judged by number. You are an independent citizen in independent Bengal. You have to have that confidence; this is what I want… Why do you think of yourselves as a small community?
“Please remember, all of you have the freedom to speech, you have right to enjoy your festival by being born in this land… You are the next generation of those who were born on this earth. So, everyone lives here in their own right… I do not consider you as a minority, we consider you as our relatives.
“We are getting a lot of information and of course we will find out who is behind the provocation to destroy the communal harmony… strong action will be taken against those no matter which religion they belong to. I want to remind all; Bangladesh is a land of communal harmony. Here, people of all faiths will live together and will practice their own religion,” she said.
Hasina again promised strong action against those involved in provoking communal disturbances by spreading fake photos of the Quran being placed at the feet of a Hindu deity in a Comilla temple, during the biggest festival of Hindus here.
The photos, extensively posted on social media, provoked disturbances across the country. Four rioters were killed in police firing at Chandpur when they went to attack temples and vandalised the Durga Puja pandals and hue and cry raised by radical Islamists demanding to stop the Durga Puja festival, alleging “insult to Islam”.
On the incident in Comilla, she said: “We are taking action on the incident that took place. Appropriate steps are being taken in this regard. They will be found wherever such incidents take place. We have done it in the past and we can do it.
“Some people only use their intellect for evil and tend to ruin things when they’re going very well. They try to destroy the communal harmony at a time when Bangladesh is moving fast on the path of development.
“Those who cannot gain people’s trust and have no ideology tend to do this. It is one of their weaknesses. If we are all aware of this, action can be taken against them.”
“Strong punishment must be given to them. Punishment should be given so that no one dares to do so in future…,” she added.
Meanwhile, state Information Minister Murad Hassan said that Bangladesh was a secular nation and will soon return to the 1972 Constitution.
“The military dictators tried to undermine Bangladesh’s core ideal of secularism by declaring Islam as the state religion. We will soon return to the 1972 secular constitution that founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave to Bangladesh after independence,” he said in a video post.
Officials informed that the Rangers had been deployed in the troubled area and the situation was under control….reports Asian Lite News
A Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province was reportedly vandalised by hundreds of people after a nine-year-old Hindu boy, who allegedly urinated at a local seminary, received bail, a media report said on Thursday.
According to the Dawn news report, the incident took place on Wednesday in Bhong town, about 60 km from Rahim Yar Khan city.
Besides the vandalisation, the mob also blocked the Sukkur-Multan Motorway (M-5), the report added.
Citing sources, Dawn news said that a case was registered against the minor on July 24 based on a complaint filed by a cleric, Hafiz Muhammad Ibrahim, of the Darul Uloom Arabia Taleemul Quran.
Pic credit ANI
The sources said that “some Hindu elders did tender an apology to the seminary administration saying the accused was a minor and mentally challenged”.
But, when a lower court granted him bail a few days ago, some people incited the public in the town on Wednesday and got all shops there closed in protest, the report quoted the sources as further saying.
A video clip showing people wielding clubs and rods storming the temple and smashing its glass doors, windows, lights and damaging the ceiling fans went viral on the social media.
In response, one Twitter user said: “Ganesh Temple, village Bhong in Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab has been ravaged. Another day, another attack on Hindus in Pakistan.”
Attack on Hindu temple at Bhong City District Rahimyar Khan Punjab. Situation was tense since yesterday. Negligence by local police is very shameful. Chief Justice is requested to take action. pic.twitter.com/5XDQo8VwgI
Another said: “Yesterday, mob ran amok at Temple over minor boy issue who allegedly urinated, boy said to be mentally handicapped. Hindu community made apology for boy — case registered against nine-year-old boy. Those vandalised temple, no FIR registered against them.”
District police spokesman Ahmed Nawaz Cheema said Rangers had been deployed in the troubled area and the situation was under control.
A small town close to the River Indus and Sindh-Punjab border, Bhong houses a number of gold traders who originally hail from Ghotki and Dehrki (Sindh), according to the Dawn news report.
A ruling PTI member representing minoritie said he had been in touch with the local Hindu community and influential Rais family of Bhong since the issue surfaced.
A three-judge bench issued the order in the case related to the implementation of a 2014 judgment on minorities rights…reports Hamza Ameer
The Pakistan Supreme Court has barred the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) from demolishing a Hindu dharamshala in Karachi and leasing it out to an individual.
A three-judge bench issued the order in the case related to the implementation of a 2014 judgment on minorities rights.
Ramesh Kumar, the co-opt member of the one-man commission on minorities, upraised the court that the property, located in the heart of Saddar town in Karachi city and measuring about 716 square yards, was a dharamshala.
Kumar also submitted photographs of the building and told the Supreme Court that the ETPB had leased the property to the individual for the demolition and allowed construction of a commercial plaza.
The Supreme Court’s order in the case, maintained: “The very photograph apparently shows that the building is of a dharamshala constructed in the year 1932, which can be read from the marble slab affixed on the building and must be protected heritage building.”
The court issued a notice to the Sindh provincial secretary heritage, asking for a report on the building and barred authorities from demolishing it.
“In the meantime, no demolition activity of the said building shall be conducted by anyone and possession of the building and the land shall be taken over by the Commissioner Karachi, who shall manage the same and not allow any person to enter upon it,” the order added.
The court noted that the one-man commission has also requested for allocation of more funds for clearance of outstanding liabilities and also for allocation of budget for the year.
“In the meantime, the amount of 14.994 million PKR be disbursed to the commission. For allocation of a new budget, let a proper response be filed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.”
The Hindu community has moved the Abbottabad bench of the Peshawar High Court, which has admitted the case for hearing and issued notices to the authorities concerned….reports Asian Lite News
Illegal constructions at the site of a 3,000-year-old Shiv temple in Mansehra in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has irked the area’s Hindu community.
According to The News International, despite its religious, historical and architectural significance, the authenticity of the temple is at risk due to the unplanned constructions at the site by the department concerned.
It was reported that toilets are being constructed along the lower sacred cult object, leading many to believe that the temple’s sacredness, historical and architectural originality, and authenticity have been trampled.
The Hindu community has moved the Abbottabad bench of the Peshawar High Court, which has admitted the case for hearing and issued notices to the authorities concerned.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s technical team of the board will visit the area in a few days and the issue will be resolved in consultation with all the stakeholders, reported The News International.
All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement chairman Haroon Sarab Diyal said that the community has brought the issue to the notice of the authorities concerned to stop these constructions at the site to ensure the sacredness and authenticity of this important temple. However, no authority has taken note of the seriousness of the matter.
He said that the Mansehra Shiv Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Pakistan, better known as Chitti Gati, a name that is given due to the presence of the Shiva lingam made of white marble.
“The annual Shivaratri in the temple is visited by people all around Pakistan and from abroad… the temple has a great religious significance and has the potential to attract religious tourists/visitors from home and abroad,” he said.
Archaeology and Museum Director Abdul Samad said that any heritage building which is 100 years old comes under the antiquities definition of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Antiquities Act 2016 and that the recent intervention in the temple in Mansehra is illegal and against the law, The News International reported.
“…We have moved a comprehensive summary to hand overall 100 years and plus old buildings to the archaeology dept for conservation and uplifting. The historic and religious buildings need to be secured for which they should be handed over to the department,” said Samad. (ANI)
