'Pray from outside if in jeans': Bajrang Dal posters spark uproar at Jabalpur temples; activists slam move
The posters, displayed by the right-wing vigilante group Mahakal Sangh International Bajrang Dal, instructed women to wear traditional Indian attire when visiting temples.
Females to cover their head inside temple premises, states poster
The posters stated, 'Those wearing miniskirts, jeans and tops and half pants must not enter temples and pray from outside. Only those wearing traditional Indian dresses must enter temple premises.' In addition, the posters called on women and girls to keep their heads covered inside temple premises, emphasising, 'only you can save Indian culture.'
Women activists of the city strongly condemned the posters. Ranjana Kurariya, an advocate and activist for women's rights said, 'What clothes we wear and what not is our right. We could wear a saree, salwar kurta, or even anything we feel like. Seeing such posters, women visiting the temples will feel hurt.'
Ankit Mishra, the district media in-charge of International Bajrang Dal, said that they had placed these posters in about 30 to 40 temples in the city. He stated that it is an appeal to females and not a diktat.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
15 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Muslim bodies urge govt to ensure end of 'Israeli aggression' in Gaza
In a joint statement, prominent Muslim organisations and Islamic scholars called on both the Indian government and global powers to intervene and stop the 'continuing atrocities' in Gaza.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Look at your own country: Bombay High Court raps CPI(M) over Gaza protest petition
The Bombay High Court on Friday (July 25, 2025) dismissed a petition filed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the CPI challenging the Mumbai Police's decision to deny permission for a protest at Azad Maidan against the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The court observed that the Indian political organisations should prioritise domestic issues over international conflicts. A Division Bench comprising Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad pulled up the petitioners for focusing on matters outside the country and said, 'Our country has enough issues to deal with. We do not want anything like this. I am sorry to say that you are short-sighted. You are looking at Gaza and Palestine while neglecting what's happening here. Why don't you do something for your own country? Look at your own country. Be patriots. People say they are patriots, but this is not patriotism. Show patriotism for the citizens of our own country first,' the Bench remarked sharply during the hearing. Senior advocate Mihir Desai representing CPI(M), informed the Bench that on June 13, 2025, his clients submitted an application seeking permission from the Azad Maidan police station to hold a peaceful protest and gathering in Azad Maidan to show solidarity with the people of Gaza, who are currently in the midst of a genocide, by calling for a ceasefire. On June 17, denying permission to the All India Peace and Solidarity Foundation (AIPSF) that police informed them that the permission to protest was being denied in exercise of their powers under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Section 68 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. Mr. Desai informed the Bench that the political parties have time and again taken up several causes that has concerned India and have been conducting health and education camps. The Court noted that the CPI(M), being a registered as Indian political party, should ideally be engaging with local civic concerns. 'You are a registered party in India. Your party could have taken up issues like garbage dumping, pollution, drainage, or flooding. Why are you not protesting on these issues? We are only giving examples. Instead, you want to protest over something happening thousands of miles away and showing concern for Palestine and Gaza,' the Bench observed. The petitioners stated that the Indian government's stance and support of Palestine as a State, has been an integral part of the nation's foreign policy. In 1974, India became the first Non-Arab State to recognize Palestine Liberation Organisation as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. In 1988, India was also one of the first countries to recognize Palestine as a State. In April 2024, India voted in favour of the Human Rights Council Resolution on the Right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Moreover, India is a State signatory to the Genocide Convention, 1948, and the protest which was held to condemn violence and genocide in Gaza, can in no way termed to be the foreign policy of the India State. Mr. Desai further argued that citizens have a fundamental right to protest at designated places and that disagreements with the government's foreign policy cannot be grounds to stifle dissent. He also contended that mere apprehensions of law-and-order issues, without concrete evidence, should not override constitutional freedoms. He also clarified that the protest has nothing to do with Operation Sindoor or India's border relations with neighbouring countries. CPI(M) issues statement Rejecting the petition, the court observed, 'You don't know the dust it could kick up. Whether to take a side for Palestine or Israel is their (Govt of India) work, why do you want to create such a situation that the country has to take sides on this? Why do you want to do this? It's obvious, going by the party you represent, that you don't understand what this could do to the foreign affairs of the country.' The CPI(M) has strongly condemned the Bombay High Court's remarks while dismissing its petition challenging the denial of permission to protest against the Gaza conflict. Calling the Court's comments unconstitutional and politically biased, the CPI(M) criticised the bench for questioning its patriotism and aligning with the Central government's foreign policy stance. 'It is regrettable to say that the Bench appears to be completely unaware of the constitutional provisions that empower political parties or the history of our country and the support and brotherly feelings of the Indian people towards the Palestinian people for their right to a homeland. The statement made by the High Court bench regarding the CPI(M) smacks of the bench aligning itself with the position of the Central Government,' the party said in a statement. The party invoked India's historical support for Palestine and urged citizens to reject what it termed a troubling judicial trend undermining democratic rights. 'We appeal to the freedom and democracy-loving people of the country to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in unequivocally rejecting this objectionable view,' the statement read.
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Will act tough against language-based violence, says CM Fadnavis
Mumbai, July 25 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has warned that violence in the name of language will not be tolerated. "One can take pride in the Marathi language, but assaulting others for not knowing or speaking Marathi will not be accepted. Legal action will be taken against such offenders," he stated. Fadnavis was speaking at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi during the foundation stone laying ceremony of a new Centre for Strategic and Defence Studies named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the inauguration of the Kusumagraj Chair for Marathi language studies last evening. Highlighting the significance of Marathi, Fadnavis said it is an ancient language. "It was due to our request that Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted it the status of a classical language. Pride in Marathi is natural and justified, but violence in its name will not be tolerated. Those indulging in such actions will face strict legal consequences", he said. He emphasized Marathi's contribution to the country, especially in the field of theatre. "If any language has kept Indian theatre alive across the nation, it is Marathi", he said. Fadnavis added that research and academic study of the language is vital and the Kusumagraj Chair at JNU will work towards that objective. Fadnavis also stressed the importance of respecting all Indian languages. "Every citizen must take pride in their mother tongue. However, respecting other Indian languages is also our responsibility. We easily accept English but often neglect our native languages, which is not right," he said. UNI SP PRS
