After walking for 111 days Pilgrim from UP reaches Pahalgam for Amarnath Yatra
Harnam Prasad, who is on a 7000 kilometer pilgrimage, has reached Pahalgam, carrying a 17 kg Kanwar on his shoulder.
Harnam Prasad took on the pilgrimage from his house in Lakhimpuri, offering his prayers in Rameshwaran Jyotirling in Tamil Nadu, Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple in Andhra Pradesh and visiting several religious places in Mathura, Vrindavan before reaching Pahalgam.
'I have been walking for one hundred and eleven days. I am taking a padyatra from Rameshwaram Jyoti Linga, to Baba Barfani Amarnath. On my way I have visited Srisailam Mallikarjun. After that, I went to Vrindavan Mathura and straight from Mathura I went to Delhi and visited Khatu Shyam Baba. Taking his blessings, I went straight to Jammu and Kashmir through Jammu and Punjab Haryana,' Harnam Prasad told ANI.
Harnam Prasad lifted 17 kg Kanwar (sacred water pots) on his shoulders midway, from Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur, and said with them he will cover a total of 1700 km of 7000 km pilgrimage, before doing 'abhishek' of Lord Shiva and Nandi Maharaj with the sacred water.
'I lifed the Kanwar in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, with them I'll cover seventeen hundred kilometers of 7,000 kilometers padyatra and perform abhishek on Mahadev on Nandi Maharaj,' he said.
Prasad said that he only wishes for our blooming country to flourish and it should be Hindu nation.
'My only wish is that our nation should be Hindu nation, Gaumata should be our Rashtramata and Akhand Bharat should be built,' he said.
On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced that the ongoing Amarnath Yatra has surpassed the 2-lakh mark, with devotees continuing to throng the holy cave shrine.
In a post on X, LG Sinha expressed his joy, stating, 'With Baba Amarnath Ji's blessings, the holy pilgrimage has crossed the 2 lakh mark today. This is a sacred journey of a lifetime, and I welcome all the devotees to discover and experience the divinity. Har Har Mahadev!'
The 38-day annual Amarnath pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine in south Kashmir began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
35 minutes ago
- News18
'He Is Not Educated': BJP Leader Hits Out At Tejashwi Yadav For 'Like Urine' Remarks
Last Updated: Tejashwi Yadav was criticised by the BJP after he said that he considers the sources reporting the presence of foreign nationals with Indian documents in Bihar as 'urine.' The Election Commission of India's (ECI) Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have found the presence of foreign nationals with Indian documents such as Aadhaar, domicile certificates, and ration cards during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav rubbished all such claims. He said that he considers such 'sutras" (sources) as 'mutra" (urine). Hours after his remark, Yadav faced massive criticism from the BJP, with party leader Sanjay Jaiswal calling him 'uneducated and irresponsible." Speaking to ANI, Jaiswal urged him to apologise, express regret, and take an oath not to speak beyond what he is taught at home. 'Only Tejashwi Yadav can make such comments about media personnel or any human being in general. The problem with Tejashwi Yadav is that he is not educated, which is why the people at his home make him memorise whatever they want, and he just repeats it. But if someone asks him a question outside of that, he will create this kind of mess,' he said. #WATCH | Bettiah, Bihar: On the statement of Bihar Legislative Assembly LoP & RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, BJP leader Sanjay Jaiswal says, '…Only Tejashwi Yadav can make such comments about media personnel or any human being in general. The problem with Tejashwi Yadav is that he… — ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2025 Notably, the ECI BLOs on Sunday said that they found the presence of foreign nationals, including those from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, with Indian documents like Aadhaar cards, domicile certificates, and ration cards during house-to-house visits carried out as part of the SIR. Tejashwi Yadav reacted sharply to the news and said,"Who are these sources? These are the same sources that said that Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore have been captured. 'Ye sootra ko hum mootra samajhte hai' (We consider these sources to be urine)." 'SIR was conducted for the last time in 2003 under the UPA government. Since then, we have seen many elections, including the ones in 2014, 2019, and 2024. In those elections, we lost by three to four lakhs. Does that mean all these foreigners voted for PM Modi?" he added. view comments First Published: July 14, 2025, 07:01 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
No Country For Minorities: Bangladesh's Dangerous Descent Into Islamist Violence
Last Updated: Across Bangladesh, reports indicate consistent refusals to accept complaints from minority communities, pointing to institutional bias or complicity The arrest of Fazor Ali, a local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), for the alleged rape of a 21-year-old Hindu woman in Cumilla's Muradnagar upazila on June 26, 2025, has ignited widespread outrage and protests across Bangladesh. This horrific incident, where Ali allegedly broke into the victim's home at knifepoint, underscores a broader crisis facing the nation's Hindu minority. The assault, compounded by the circulation of a graphic video online, has not only violated the survivor's dignity but also exposed the persistent vulnerability of Hindus in Bangladesh. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024, the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus has faced mounting criticism for its inability to curb escalating violence against religious minorities, particularly Hindus. Reports indicate a surge in attacks, including sexual violence, land grabbing, and temple desecrations, raising alarms about the growing influence of Islamist groups. The Cumilla case, where the survivor now faces threats to withdraw her complaint, highlights a systemic failure to protect minorities and deliver justice. Critics argue that Yunus's policies, including the release of individuals with extremist ties and leniency toward fundamentalist groups, have emboldened perpetrators, creating an environment where Hindus live in constant fear. Inadequate Protection for Bangladesh's Hindu Minority The Hindu community, comprising roughly 8% of Bangladesh's population, has long faced targeted violence, but the situation has worsened under the Yunus interim government. Since August 2024, reports have documented a spike in attacks, including 13 gang-rapes of Hindu women in Cumilla alone since April 2025. The case of the 21-year-old survivor in Muradnagar exemplifies this vulnerability. Staying at her father's home during a local festival, she was attacked while alone with her children, highlighting how Hindus, particularly women, are targeted in moments of vulnerability. The government's responsibility to protect minorities, as emphasised by international observers, has been inadequately fulfilled. The lack of proactive measures, such as increased security in minority-dominated areas or community outreach programmes, has left Hindus exposed to predatory violence. Temples and homes have been looted and destroyed, with incidents such as the burning of an ISKCON temple in Khulna in August 2024, signalling a broader pattern of unchecked aggression. The Yunus administration's failure to implement robust protective policies has allowed such atrocities to persist, undermining trust in the state's commitment to safeguarding its pluralistic identity. Without targeted interventions, the Hindu minority remains at risk, caught in a cycle of fear and marginalisation. Emboldening Islamist Extremists Through Policy Failures The interim government's policies have inadvertently emboldened Islamist groups, exacerbating threats to Hindus. Following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, Yunus's administration lifted bans on groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and released individuals with known extremist affiliations, including those facing terror charges. These decisions have signalled a softer stance toward fundamentalist elements, allowing them to operate with greater impunity. The Cumilla rape case, involving a BNP leader with a reported history of harassing Hindu women, reflects how political clout and extremist ideologies intersect to perpetuate violence. Local accounts suggest Fazor Ali's actions were enabled by his perceived untouchability due to political affiliations, a dynamic that thrives in an environment where Islamist rhetoric goes unchallenged. The government's reluctance to confront these groups head-on, coupled with Yunus's dismissal of minority attacks as 'political issues," has further emboldened perpetrators. For instance, Islamist parties' threats against the Women's Affairs Reform Commission in May 2025, warning of mass agitation, underscore their growing influence. This permissive atmosphere not only endangers Hindus, but also undermines Bangladesh's secular foundation, as extremist narratives gain traction without sufficient resistance from the state. Failures in Law Enforcement and Judicial Processes Law enforcement's handling of the Cumilla case reveals systemic flaws that hinder justice for minority victims. The survivor faced a three-day delay in registering her complaint, and authorities failed to conduct a mandatory medical examination within 24 hours, violating procedural standards. Such lapses, described by rights groups as 'gross violations", reflect a broader pattern of police inaction in cases involving Hindus. Across Bangladesh, reports indicate consistent refusals to accept complaints from minority communities, pointing to institutional bias or complicity. In the Cumilla incident, while Fazor Ali and four others were arrested, the initial escape of the accused after being beaten by locals suggests inadequate police response at the scene. The circulation of a graphic video, recorded by bystanders and shared online, further compounded the survivor's trauma, yet authorities were slow to act until public outrage forced their hand. The High Court's intervention, demanding the video's removal and the survivor's protection, highlights the judiciary's attempt to compensate for executive failures. However, without systemic reforms to ensure prompt investigations, unbiased policing, and victim support, such incidents will continue to erode trust in the legal system, leaving Hindus without recourse. Political Exploitation of Communal Tensions The Cumilla rape case has also exposed how political rivalries exacerbate communal violence, with Hindus caught in the crossfire. The BNP's senior leadership, while calling for 'exemplary punitive action", has simultaneously alleged that the case is a smear campaign orchestrated by the Awami League to tarnish their image. Such claims, dismissing the survivor's ordeal as political propaganda, trivialise the crime and shift focus from justice to partisan battles. This politicisation not only undermines the victim's agency but also deepens communal divides, as Hindus are portrayed as pawns in a larger power struggle. The Yunus government's failure to decisively address these narratives allows extremist elements within political parties to exploit tensions for electoral gain. Historically, both the BNP and Awami League have been criticised for their treatment of minorities, with the BNP's past governance (2001-2006) marked by accusations of harboring insurgents and tolerating anti-Hindu violence. top videos View all The current interim government's inaction in curbing such rhetoric enables a cycle where political actors deflect accountability, leaving Hindus vulnerable to further attacks. Addressing this requires a unified stance against communalism, which the Yunus administration has yet to demonstrate. The author teaches journalism at St Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Kapil Mishra inaugurates Kanwar camp in Delhi, says pilgrims to receive grand welcome this year
New Delhi: Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra on Thursday inaugurated a Kanwar camp near Kondli Pul, marking the beginning of the city's preparations for the annual Kanwar Yatra. The event was also attended by Patparganj MLA Ravi Negi, local municipal councillors, and other community leaders. Speaking to IANS, Mishra said that the number of Kanwar camps in Delhi has seen a dramatic rise this year. "Last year, 170 Kanwar camps were set up in the capital. This year, we have more than doubled that number, with a total of 374 camps being established across the city to ensure all necessary facilities for the devotees," he said. Highlighting the government's support, Mishra added, 'An additional fund of Rs 1 lakh per camp will be provided by the Delhi government to strengthen infrastructure and improve services for the Kanwariyas.' Patparganj MLA Ravi Negi expressed immense joy and happiness over the annual Kanwar Yatra and told IANS, said, 'After 27 years, a government of Sanatan Dharma has come into power. The camps are bathed in saffron, reflecting the spirit of the faith.' He added, 'These Kanwariyas are the torchbearers of Sanatan Dharma. We welcome them wholeheartedly at these saffron-themed camps.' The Kanwar Yatra, a major annual pilgrimage for devotees of Lord Shiva, sees lakhs of Kanwariyas from Delhi and neighbouring states walking barefoot to fetch holy water from the Ganges, which they offer to Shiva temples. The Delhi government's extensive preparations indicate a focus on both religious sentiment and public safety as the Yatra gains momentum. As enthusiasm over the Kanwar Yatra heightens in Delhi this year, it is being assumed that Delhi is all set to welcome the Kanwar Yatra with the magnificence of a Kumbh Mela. Major routes and entry gates across the city are being specially decorated to honour the pilgrims.
