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Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Protest after BJP MLA offers bounty on priests
Mumbai: Thousands from the Christian community participated in a daylong sit-in at Azad Maidan Friday, protesting threats issued by the BJP MLA from Sangli, Gopichand Padalkar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The MLA in a public speech on June 17 had allegedly offered a bounty ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 11 lakh for acts of violence against Christian priests and missionaries engaging in "forceful conversions". Similar dharnas and morchas are being held in several cities and districts across the state. The community is demanding Padalkar's resignation and an FIR. The archdiocese of Bombay meanwhile expressed "deep concern" over state revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule's proposal to enact a strict anti-conversion law. "While we respect the govt's duty to uphold public order, we firmly believe that any legislation restricting religious freedom must be carefully evaluated against India's constitutional framework. The choice of religion is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 25. We urge the Maharashtra govt to reconsider this proposal, which risks fostering division and targeting vulnerable communities," the archdiocese said in a statement Friday. In Mumbai, individuals, priests, pastors, NGOs and secular organisations came to Azad Maidan after a call by the Samast Christi Samaj. "Around 15,000 Christians from all parts of Maharashtra came. We are seeking protection from the govt and police and demanding that an FIR be registered against Padalkar," said Cyril Dara, convenor of the Samaj. Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi and Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad addressed the gathering. Gaikwad said, "People vote for you (BJP), and with this power you make such kinds of malicious comments." Samuel Salve, a pastor from Ahmednagar, said, "Today I have filed a petition against Padalkar in the high court." "We demand the suspension of Padalkar and the registration of a criminal case for hate speech," said Melwyn Fernandes, secretary of the Association of Concerned Christians. (Inputs by Bella Jaisinghani)
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Lord, along with siblings, begins annual sojourn amid Jai Jagannath chants in Vizag
There was an air of festivity along the main thoroughfares of the city on Friday as tall 'Rathas' (chariots) carrying the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Bhalabhadra and Godess Subhadra pulled by devotees moved at a slow pace, with cultural troupes performing before the grand processions, and devotees trying to catch a glimpse of the deities. The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra organised by ISKCON, Hare Krishna Movement, Utkal Samaj and Sri Jagannadha Swamy temple drew devotees in large numbers. Devotees gathered on either side of the road and prayed to the deities. Many devotees took selfies and pictures before the chariots. Some of the artistes and cultural troupes, who came to perform before the chariots, took pictures of their groups. The overcast sky and cool weather provided a welcome relief to those pulling the chariot and the artistes participating in the processions. Traditional dances, bhajans, congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra and chants of 'Jai Jagannath' marked the commencement of the 18th Annual Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra from the Central Park, near the GVMC. The procession began after Mataji Nitasevini broke a coconut and ceremoniously swept the ground in front of the chariot, symbolising service. Visakhapatnam West MLA PGVR Naidu (Ganababu) inaugurated the Rath Yatra. The procession passed through Dabagardens, Jagadamba junction, Ram Nagar Main Road, before culminating at Gurajada Kalakshetram, where special Vedic rituals were performed by priests. The Rath Yatra, organised by Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, began from the Sri Jagannath temple at Daspalla Hills, after sweeping of the chariot by J.K. Nayak, president of the Samaj. The procession passed through VMRDA Children Arena, AU Out Gate and VUDA Park to reach the Gundicha temple, at Lawson's Bay Colony, where the deities would be in sojourn till July 5. Marwadi Yuva Manch provided drinking water. General secretary of the Samaj, Bimal Kumar Mahanta was present. Scores of devotees participated in the Jagannadha Swamy Radha Yatra from Town Kotha Road to the Turner's Choultry. Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, and Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsikrishna Srinivas inaugurated the yatra after the rituals, by pulling the rope. The chariots of Embar Mannar and Sri Kodanda Ramaswamy temples followed the chariot of Sri Jagannadha Swamy. Endowments Commissioner N. Sujata, Assistant Commissioner Annapurna, temple EO T. Rajagopal Reddy were among those who participated in the Rath Yatra. As one side of the road was occupied by the chariots and devotees, vehicles were allowed to ply on the other side causing traffic snarls at a few junctions.
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj to celebrate Rath Yatra in Vizag on June 27
Utkal Sanskrurika Samaj, a socio-cultural organisation for Odias in Visakhapatnam will be celebrating Rath Yatra on Friday (June 27, 2025) coinciding with the Rath Yatra of Sri Jagannath Dham at Puri. The idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will be taken out in a colourful decorated chariot from the temple at Dasapalla Hills behind All India Radio to the Gundicha temple at Lawson's Bay colony amidst chanting of 'Hari bol' and Sankeertan. The deities will be taken to the chariot from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in a ritual called Pahandi Bije. Then after sweeping of the platform by the designated Gajapati J.K. Nayak, president of the Samaj, and vice president of OSL group of companies, the devotees would pull the chariot. The chariot would pass through Vizag's VMRDA Children's Arena, AU Gate, Park Hotel and VUDA park to reach the Gundicha temple at Lawson's Bay Colony, where the deities will be in sojourn till July 5, and return that day known as Bahuda Yatra. There will be Pooja, Archana and offering of Odia ethnic savouries and Prasad sevan during the stay. Marwadi Yuva Manch will provide drinking water to the devotees en route. Various artistes will perform during the procession and Sankeertan deputed by the Culture Department of the Government of Odisha. General Secretary of the Samaj Binal Kumar Mahanta has urged upon people to participate in large numbers in the divine procession.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Asthika Samaj to host 18th year Adipuram; Suhashinis Deepa Pooja on the cards
Nagpur: Asthika Samaj is all set to celebrate its 18th Adipuram Mahotsavam this July with traditional fervour. A key highlight of the celebrations will be the Suhashinis Deepa Pooja, which draws participation from hundreds of married women (Suhashinis) across Vidarbha. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Enrolment for the pooja has begun, and the Samaj has urged those yet to register to do so at the earliest to avoid last-minute hassles. For registration, Suhashinis may contact: Anadhi Kalyankumar (9970159234), Usha Suryakumar (9923487382) or Geetha Ramanathan (8087520512). Further details are available with the secretary of Asthika Samaj.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj celebrates Debasnana Poornima with religious fervour in Visakhapatnam
Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj for Odias in the city celebrated Debasnana Poornima on its premises at Dasapalla Hills near All India Radio with religiously fervour and gaiety. Jyestha Poornima in the Hindu calendar is celebrated as `Deba Snana Poornima' (bathing of Gods), in the presence of the Odia people under the guidance of the Samaj president president J.K. Nayak. Early morning, the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were taken out from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to the decorated Snana Vedi, the bathing platform. The deites were bathed with 108 pitchers of scented water. This bath will cause fever and the deities will be in quarantine called Anasara and will convalesce for 14 days. On June 26, the devotees will be rejunevated to go on the famous Rath Yatra on June 27, said the Samaj general secretary Bimal Kumar Mahanta.
