Veteran Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram feels the fervour for militant, extreme, right-wing Hinduism is working in favour of the BJP in the Hindi belt. Our Hinduism is more inclusive, he says in an interview with The Hindu on Friday. He speaks on a range of issues including the alleged misuse of Central agencies, Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, and more.

How does the current Lok Sabha election differ from previous elections? The Opposition in the country seems to be gripped with a sense of urgency and anxiety over the outcome of the election.

I can speak authoritatively about the situation in Tamil Nadu. I can speak to some extent about the situation in Southern States. Therefore I should speak about only what I know. In Tamil Nadu, the situation is no different from 2019 or 2021. The DMK-led alliance, the INDIA Front, will score resoundingly as it did in 2019 and 2021. In the Southern States, the situation has turned in our favour. In Karnataka and Telangana we have governments today. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is on the verge of disintegration. In Karnataka, the Janata Dal (Secular) is practically wiped out by the BJP. Therefore, in Karnataka and Telangana we hope to do far better than 2019 when we got two and three seats respectively. In Kerala, of course, the 20 seats will be shared by the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front (UDF). I think that the UDF will have a slight edge and nothing will be left for the BJP.

Do you think if the BJP is re-elected that will change the course of Indian politics and democracy?

It depends, if the BJP is elected to power. I hope it will not. Then, of course a new government will come to power in Delhi led by the INDIA front and we will reverse the damage that has happened in the last 10 years. We have said so in our manifesto. There is much work to be done to clean up the mess - legal, political, administrative. If the BJP wins by a resounding majority, I have already cautioned that they will amend the Constitution. They will change the Westminster principles of Parliamentary democracy. They dont believe in that. They will introduce some kind of electoral autocracy. There will be a facade of the elections. All their other pronouncements lead to that conclusion: one nation, one election and one nation, one language. All that will convert India into an electoral autocracy. If the BJP wins by a small majority, it will hang on. It will become more repressive. It will try to crush the Opposition. Its goal is to get rid of the Congress, which is the only other national party and then deal with each regional party, State party on a case-by-case basis. I think there is much to expect; much to fear after the result of the election. So let us wait for the results.

What is the reason behind the substantial growth of the BJP?

What is working in favour of the BJP in the Hindi-speaking Northern States is the fervour for different kinds of Hinduism: militant, extreme, right-wing Hinduism. We are Hindus. But our Hinduism and practice of Hinduism is very different. We have great temples for Lord Siva, Lord Muruga and Lord Vishnu. But each one in Tamil Nadu has a family deity, what we call Siru Theivangal (Small Gods). Mariamman, Muthmariamman, Vekkaliamman, Vaiya Karuppan. Our practice of Hinduism is more inclusive. When you go to the temples of small deities, every community prays there whereas the BJP practices extreme, right-wing Hinduism and it is largely influenced by Varnashrama, the four caste divisions, which we reject. We rejected it in Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh because of great social reformers like Jyotirao Phule, Narayana Guru, E.V.R. Periyar, Basvaiah and a whole lot of others. That social reform movement seems to have passed the Hindi-speaking Northern States.

The BJP has been accusing the Congress and other regional parties of promoting dynasty politics...

I have a long list of 110 leaders of the BJP who are dynastic, starting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singhs son, or Sushma Swarajs daughter. What about Karnataka? [B.S.] Yedyurappas son. In Andhra Pradesh, the BJPs ally N. Chandrababu Naidu is the son-in-law of N.T. Rama Rao. What about their ally in Karnataka? H.D. Kumarasamy, the son of H.D. Deve Gowda. What does the BJP mean by accusing us of dynastic politics? If you point one finger, three fingers are pointing to yourself. The BJP minus [Prime Minister] Narendra Modi is full of sons and daughters. Whether it is right or wrong is a different matter. You cannot accuse the Opposition of dynastic politics when you have so many so-called dynasts in your own party. It is a completely baseless allegation and proved on the ground.

To what do you attribute the rise of Hindutva? Many BJP supporters say the country is going through a Hindu awakening and Hindu assertion after years of humiliation meted out.

What humiliation?

Humiliation in the hands of colonial rulers and before them the Muslim conquest.

Colonial rule is a fact of history. Before that, Mughal rule is a fact of history. But before that, there were other dynasties and empires. You cannot alter history. It is a fact. You can only shape a new India according to the needs of times. What India needs today is not going back to old, premature, pristine Hinduism. What India needs today is a secular nation wedded to science and technology and taking 142 crore people forward. We are the largest population in the world. This large population can survive only if we have secularism, tolerance and brotherhood. The country cannot survive if we divide on the basis of religion or language.

Why then is there a North-South divide on the rise of Hindutva? Is radical Islam across the world complementing the Hindutva forces?

It has nothing to do with Islam. It has got to do with history and the pace of development of south India. Education, healthcare, social reform movement and the rise of regional parties have made south India a more progressive part of India, whereas the northern Hindi-speaking States are clearly among the most backward States. They are poorer, they have less education, less healthcare, less infrastructure and therefore a clear socio-economic factor difference from southern and north India. Therefore they are vulnerable and amenable to these extreme appeals to religion, culture and language whereas we are more inclined to accept science and technology, industry, and education alone would take us forward. Add to that the BJP is seen as a north Indian party led by Hindi-speaking leaders and there is a natural suspicion of the BJP. For example, Mr. Modi knows English, but he refuses to speak English when he visits south India, whereas Mr. Deve Gowda, when he was the Prime Minister made an attempt to speak in Hindi to a Hindi audience. [P.V.] Narasimha Rao was fluent in English and Hindi. Therefore, what we ask is, dont impose one language, one culture and one social structure on States of India. Respect every language, history, culture, tradition, every way of worship. But the BJP wants a uniform India and not a united India.

The Opposition including the Congress is against the CAA. But former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in an interview had made it clear that every refugee who had come to India should leave the country one day

I dont know if Indira Gandhi said that. But please understand there is a treaty of law of asylum and India is a signatory to the treaty. It is based on international consensus, human rights of refugees. Therefore we have to enact a law on asylum and abide by that law. Again migration is a fact of history. Many many thousand Indians migrate from India every year. Therefore those who have come here 20 years ago, 30 years ago, 50 years ago, how can you throw them out? Where will you throw them? Enact an Act on asylum in accordance with international convention and then enforce that law. Nobody is preventing the Government of India from doing that. But those who have already come to India by a particular cut-off date, you cannot discriminate against them on the grounds of religion. They have come here for various reasons, essentially persecution and discrimination. They have come to India, are living in India, working in India and their families are here. How do you distinguish between them and discriminate between them on the basis of religion?

Do you think that the National Population Register (NPR) and the Aadhaar have been powerful tools in the hands of the BJP to further its political agenda?

Aadhaar was introduced by the UPA government. Aadhaar is supposed to be an identity to receive socio-economic benefits. The Supreme Court has categorically pronounced that the law on Aadhaar requires Aadhaar only for socio-economic benefits. You cannot use it for any other purpose. But the BJP government is mischievously insisting it for every purpose and we are opposing, challenging and fighting it. Aadhaar, if confined to socio-economic benefit, is a good means of identity. But going beyond Aadhaar, they are using NPR to discriminate against people on the basis of religion. The exercise in Assam ended in complete fiasco and they did not expect that the bulk of excluded persons who were enumerated under NPR will turn out to be Hindus. That is bound to happen if you have the wrong purpose and it will end with surprising results. Therefore, for the Hindus to remain and the Muslims to be put in virtual prisons they introduced the CAA. It is the result of the NPR fiasco in Assam. People are not able to connect the dots because the NPR exercise was a complete fiasco. They have to introduce the CAA and together they are patently discriminatory. Discriminatory on the basis of religion.

Are the provisions of PMLA, enacted to comply with international obligations to prevent money laundering, being misused?

It is. The PMLA is there in every country. But who has weaponised it? There were two treaties and they are mainly concerned with drug trafficking. They are also concerned with human trafficking. Because vast amounts of money is used for human trafficking and drug trafficking, the countries in the world got together and wanted a money laundering Act. Money laundering is narrowly defined. Are money laundering Acts in other countries used to throw dozens and hundreds of Opposition leaders in jail? Show me, one country which has used the money laundering law to throw the entire Opposition in jail. This is happening only in India. The PMLA has been weaponised. It is no longer a law. It is a powerful weapon to browbeat the Opposition, prosecute them and imprison them. Eventually they will be acquitted. But the process is a punishment. The process of detention, bail, rejection, further appeal, rejection, is a punishment. Now, (Delhi Chief Minister) Arvind Kejriwal is in jail. Hemant Soren (former Jharkhand CM) is in jail. Manish Sisodia (Aam Aadmi Party leader) is in jail. By the time they get bail, the election is over and the purpose is served. We have made it clear in our manifesto that we will repeal the law and enact a new law consistent with international principle of money laundering.

Do you think the PMLA has included too many predicate offences? The ED seems to be overactive mainly because they seem to be able to enter the picture whenever any FIR is filed?

Predicate offence is the essence of the law. There must be an offence and that must be investigated by the State police or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). That offence must be proved. Mark my words: those offences may or may not generate a crime. Money laundering law in only concerned with the proceeds of crime. For example there can be murder - simple murder, murder with robbery or murder with burglary. The first crime is not a predicate offence under PMLA, because it is simply a murder. The second offence is a murder for gain. Whoever has the proceeds of crime is prosecuted under the PMLA. But the ED has reversed the matter. There are cases the CBI has not even filed the chargesheet for the predicate crime. It had not even completed its investigation. It has not come to a conclusion and charged the accused. The ED goes ahead and files a chargesheet or complaint for money laundering.

The Supreme Court Bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, last week said if there was no predicate offence, how can you have money laundering at all. Here the ED is doing the job the CBI is supposed to do. Suppose the CBI comes to a conclusion that there is no crime, what happens to the trial under PMLA? Please understand that the ED is being used to punish people even before the predicate offence is established. Unless there is a predicate crime and prima facie you must establish a predicate crime, the PMLA according to me cannot be used to register a case and it is only after the conviction and predicate crime you can start a trial in the PMLA case.

Do you believe the INDIA bloc would be able to defeat the BJP in the Hindi heartland and usher in a new regime?

I do not know. In the Hindi heartland the fight is being led by two parties in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. One is the Samajwadi Party and the other is the RJD. If they put up a strong fight, those States account for 120 seats. In Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana, the fight is led by the Congress party and I hope we will do very well in Haryana, and I dont have any information about Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In West Bengal, the fight is between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress and the CPI(M) and these are the States that have a large number of seats. Of course there is Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, the alliance of Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will do very well.

Do you think the BJP would redraw the boundaries of the Lok Sabha constituencies after the election?

One hundred per cent. They have already done it in Assam. They will use every law and every rule to re-engineer the electoral map of India. They broke down Jammu and Kashmir into three parts. Why do you think that they will not do it in Maharashtra or in Tamil Nadu? The BJPs goal is a single government at the Centre. All other units are like the old palayams (kingdoms). Reduce them to smaller sizes and keep them under their thumb. Actually keep them under their feet. It is the national Opposition they want to destroy and today the national Opposition led by the Congress and other regional parties realised the dangers. Hundred per cent, I believe the BJP will amend the Constitution and steer India to a unitary form of government, making the government less responsible to the Parliament. It will be a more Presidential system of government and the States will be reduced to municipalities.

Excerpt from:

BJPs Hinduism is influenced by Varnashrama, ours is more inclusive: P. Chidambaram - The Hindu

India Post News Service

CHICAGO: The Hindu American Foundations podcast All About Hinduism was presented with a 2024 DeRose-Hinkhouse Award of Excellence for Specialty Programming, Podcast Series on April 4, 2024, by the Religion Communicators Council.

All About Hinduism is a 13-part educational podcast series presenting the basic tenets of Hinduism and its history, as well as answering commonly asked questions about the worlds third-largest religion and addressing contentious contemporary issues that Hindus face.

All About Hinduism was produced, written, narrated, and edited by HAF Senior Director of Communications Mat McDermott. The shows academic advisor was HAFs then-Director of Education Dr Shereen Bhalla. HAF executive director Suhag Shukla provided script review. HAF Staff Writer Syama Allard was the shows associate producer.

A second series of All About Hinduism is expected to begin production in the second half of 2024.

Commenting on the award, McDermott stated, Im thrilled that my colleagues at the Religion Communicators Council have honored All About Hinduism with a 2024 DeRose-Hinkhouse Award. Religious literacy in the United States is low, particularly when it comes to Hinduism. Public perceptions about the beliefs and practices of Hindus too often remain dominated by stereotypes and misconceptions. What All About Hinduism set out to do, and I believe achieved, was create a concise and accurate portrait of Hinduism. In the second series we hope to go deeper, furthering our listeners knowledge of this vital, modern, and complex spiritual tradition.

The DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards are given annually to active members of the Religion Communicators Council who demonstrate excellence in religious communications and public relations.

Also Read:Hindu American Foundation raises funds for Hindus denied aid in Pakistan

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HAF podcast All About Hinduism wins 2024 Award of Excellence - IndiaPost NewsPaper - IndiaPost.com

Indian police said Hindus vandalised a statue of an independence hero in central Madhya Pradesh state following a disagreement over the figure it depicted, contrary to social media posts circulating ahead of national elections that falsely accused Muslims of desecrating the structure. The posts falsely claimed the incident happened in Karnataka, apparently taking a swipe at the opposition Congress party, which rules the state and has been accused of being favourable towards Muslims.

"The Hindus of Karnataka defeated the BJP and formed the Congress party government," read a Hindi-language Facebook post that shared the video.

"Now they are repenting because of the extent to which the Congress government is appeasing Muslims."

India's Congress partywrested power of Karnataka from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2023, taking the key state a year before a general election.

Congress has been accused by supporters of the Hindu nationalist BJP of being more favourable towards India's 200-million-strong Muslim minority.

The video shows a tractor repeatedly ramming into a statue as onlookers cheer and pelt stones at the structure.

It then cuts to a man who says in Hindi: "What's the use of being in an 80-percent majority when those from 20 percent are creating a ruckus?" -- referring to the country's Hindu-Muslim split.

The video was shared in similar posts on social media platform Xand on Facebookhere and here.

It circulated as India prepared for marathon general elections from April 19 which looked set to hand Modi a third term helming the world's biggest democracy.

A keyword search on Google found reports that the statue was destroyed by members of a Hindu community in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh -- which is around 680 miles (1,100 kilometres) from Karnataka.

Madhya Pradesh is ruled by the BJP, not Congress.

The Hindustan Times and The Print reported that the statue was torn down in January 2024 following a disagreement between members of two Hindu castes over which historical figure it should depict (archived here and here).

Story continues

While members of one group -- the Bhim Army and so-called 'scheduled caste' -- sought to install a statue of B.R. Ambedkar, who was India's first law minister and author of the country's constitution, members of the Patidar caste insisted the statue should instead honour independence hero Vallabhbhai Patel, who was India's first deputy prime minister.

Patel's statue was erected but later found vandalised, allegedly by members of the Bhim Army and scheduled caste, The Hindustan Times quoted police saying.

Hindi-language news channel Times Now Navbharat posted footage of the incident on YouTube on January 25, 2024 (archived link).

Below is a screenshot comparison of the clip shared in false posts (left) and Times Now Navbharat's video (right):

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP-Rural) Nitesh Bhargava confirmed the incident happened in Ujjain on January 25, 2024.

"There is no religious angle here as the clash took place between groups belonging to two different castes," he told AFP on April 4.

"This is an old video and this case has been closed now as the arrests were made."

AFP has previously debunked posts peddlingmisinformation about religious tensionshere, here and here.

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Footage of Hindus attacking India statue falsely shared in anti-Congress posts ahead of election - Yahoo News UK

A notable Indian-American legislator has proposed a resolution in the House of Representatives denouncing Hinduphobia and other forms of hate crimes targeting the community.

The resolution, introduced by Congressman Shri Thanedar on Wednesday, highlights that Hindu Americans encounter stereotypes, misinformation regarding their heritage and symbols, and have been subjected to bullying in educational institutions along with discrimination and hateful speech.The resolution states that the House of Representatives:

Recognises and celebrates the contributions of Hindus and Hinduism to the United States.

Affirms the United States as a nation that embraces the diversity brought by Hindu Americans.

Condemns Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu prejudice, bigotry, and intolerance.

Authorizes the distribution of appropriate copies of this resolution to the public and the press.

The resolution has been forwarded to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. It comes at a time when hate crimes against Hindus, including attacks on temples and individuals, are increasing annually, alongside a concerning rise in Hinduphobia within American society, as stated in the resolution.

Emphasising that the United States has embraced over four million Hindus from various parts of the world since the 1900s, representing diverse racial, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds, the resolution underscores the significant contributions made by Hindu Americans to every aspect of the nation's economy and various industries.

Notably, approximately two weeks ago, Indian-American Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar, Ami Bera, and Pramila Jayapal penned a letter to the Department of Justice. They requested a briefing to gain insight into the ongoing investigation concerning a surge in incidents of vandalism at places of worship nationwide, including Hindu temples. Their aim was to better understand the existing coordination among law enforcement agencies regarding these matters.

In a letter dated March 29, it was highlighted that attacks on Hindu temples spanning from New York to California have added to the growing collective anxiety among Hindu Americans. Leaders representing these affected communities have expressed dismay over the lack of leads on suspects, leaving many individuals living in fear and intimidation. Concerns persist within these communities regarding the coordination among law enforcement agencies in addressing these bias-motivated crimes. Additionally, questions arise regarding whether there is sufficient federal oversight to guarantee equal protection under the law.

The frequency of these incidents and their proximity in timing raise concerning questions about potential linkages and underlying motives. Even a small number of coordinated acts of hate can instill widespread fear within a community that has historically faced marginalisation or neglect. It's imperative that we work together to combat hate directed at all religious, ethnic, racial, and cultural minorities across America.

"Therefore, we urge you to outline the Department's strategy specifically aimed at addressing hate crimes targeting Hindus in the United States," concluded the letter.

Image Source: OP India

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US resolution condemns attacks on Hindu Places of Worship and Hinduphobia - MyIndMakers

New Delhi: The Gujarat government has issued a circular stating that Buddhism is counted as a separate religion and so anyone converting from Hinduism to Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism needs to get approval from the local district magistrate as defined under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003.

According to The Indian Express, this circular was issued on March 8 by the Gujarat home department after it came to the notice of the government that applications seeking conversion to Buddhism were not being dealt with as per rules.

Every year, the state sees mass conversions by Dalits to Buddhism on festivals like Dussehra.

it has come to notice that in applications seeking permission for conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, procedure as per rules are not being followed. Moreover, sometimes, representations are being received from applicants and autonomous bodies that for religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, prior permission is not required, the circular stated.

In cases where applications are filed seeking prior permission, concerned offices are disposing such applications while stating that under Article 25(2) of the Constitution, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism are included within Hinduism and so the applicant is not required to take permission for (such) religious conversion, it continued.

It is possible that the replies given to applicants in sensitive subject like religious conversion without sufficient study of legal provisions can result in judicial litigations, according to the circular.

A home department official told The Indian Express that this circular had been issued as a clarification. Some district magistrates were wrongly interpreting the Act and its rules while deciding applications of the religious conversion from Hinduism to Budhhism. Also, some district magistrates had sought guidance on the subject. So, we have issued the clarification through this circular, the official said.

Several Buddhist groups organise mass conversions for Dalits inspired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

Ramesh Banker, the secretary of one such group Gujarat Buddhist Academy, told The Indian Express, This circular has made it clear that Buddhism is a separate religion and it has nothing to do with Hinduism. The confusion was created by (some in the) administration while misinterpreting the law. We believed from the beginning that Buddhism is not a part of Hinduism and for conversion to Buddhism, prior permission of the district magistrate is mandatory in a prescribed format. It was our demand (to issue such a clarification), which has been fulfilled.

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Gujarat Govt Circular 'Clarifies' Hindus Converting to Buddhism Need Prior Permission - The Wire

In a unique initiative aimed at recognising and honouring individuals dedicated to the cause of Hindutva and cultural nationalism, the second edition of the Akshayya Hindu Awards ceremony is set to take place in May 2024. Building upon the success of its inaugural event in 2023, this years ceremony promises to be even more impactful, with increased awards and a broader scope for nominations.

The brainchild of like-minded individuals committed to promoting the values of Hinduism and nationalism, the Akshayya Hindu Awards seek to acknowledge the contributions of grassroots workers across various domains related to Hindutva. Inspired by the vision of action advocated by revered figures such as Samarth Ramdas, the organizers emphasize the importance of tangible efforts in advancing the cause.

Shefali Vaidya hailed the initiative about honouring those who are relentlessly working for the cause of Hindutva and cultural nationalism

Central to the ethos of the Akshayya Hindu Awards is the principle of community participation. Unlike traditional award ceremonies, where nominations often come from select committees or political leaders, the Akshayya Hindu Awards rely on the involvement of the public. This ensures that the recognition is truly representative of the collective efforts of the Hindutva movement.

Google Form Link : https://forms.gle/VDSAf2rpe1C1JTJL7

In line with this ethos, the organisers have outlined three key criteria for the awards. Firstly, nominations must come from the public, reflecting the inclusive nature of Hindutva as a societal endeavour. Secondly, the focus is on honouring ground-level workers who are actively engaged in promoting Hindutva ideals, with a deliberate exclusion of political figures from the nomination process. Finally, the awards are presented under the banner of the Hindu Humanist Indian Nationalist Democratic Union (HHINDU), symbolising the unity and diversity inherent within the community.

The format of the awards draws inspiration from Kodanddhari Shriram, a symbol of valour and righteousness in Hindu mythology. Recipients of the Akshayya Hindu Awards receive a cash prize of ten thousand rupees each, along with a set of books authored by leading proponents of Rashtravadi thought.

The awards are presented across five categories, representing different dimensions of Hindutva activism. These include cow protection, religious awareness, social harmony, social awareness (literature, art, media), and tribal welfare. By recognising individuals working in diverse fields, the Akshayya Hindu Awards highlight the multifaceted nature of the Hindutva movement and its impact on society.

Nominations for the awards are open to the public, with a Google form available for submissions. Interested individuals can either nominate themselves or recommend others for consideration. The deadline for nominations is April 15, with the final selection process overseen by the organising committee.

It was last year, in 2023, that the awards were launched for the first time. A diverse array of activists from various backgrounds and regions who made significant contributions to their communities, driven by a shared commitment to serving God, country, and religion, were recognised for their work.

From Shalutai Kolhes efforts to empower women from scheduled tribes in Gondia district to Swati Shilkars dedication to Gorakshan in Goa, and the courageous work of Dinesh and Sneha Joshi in rescuing Hindu girls from Love Jihad in Nagar, these individuals exemplify the spirit of service and sacrifice. Whether its Kumar Panjalars diligent work or Ashutosh Adonijis insightful statements, each persons experience and contribution are invaluable in advancing the causes they believe in. Their collective efforts reflect a deep-rooted commitment to addressing societal challenges and promoting the values of faith, patriotism, and social justice.

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Akshayya Hindu Award: Call for nominations to honour those dedicated to cause of Hinduism and cultural nationalism - Organiser

Navratri 2024: Chaitra Navratri reminds that light will always triumph over darkness.

Navratri, meaning "nine nights", is a vibrant festival celebrated with fervour and devotion across India and among Hindu community worldwide. Chaitra Navratri, specifically observed in the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra (March-April), holds significant cultural and spiritual importance. Lasting for nine days, this festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her various forms, representing the triumph of good over evil. The festival will begin on April 9, 2024 (Tuesday) and continue till April 17. Chaitra Navratri also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year in many parts of India, especially in North India.

Chaitra Navratri is considered an auspicious time for spiritual renewal, cleansing and seeking the blessings of the divine. It symbolises the victory of light over darkness, righteousness over wickedness and knowledge over ignorance.

Each day of Navratri is also associated with a specific colour, with devotees wearing attire corresponding to the day's colour as a form of reverence and devotion. The colours vary from region to region but commonly include red, yellow, green, grey, orange, blue, white, pink and purple.

Devotees observe a range of rituals during Chaitra Navratri, including fasting, prayer, meditation and attending elaborate ceremonies at temples dedicated to Goddess Durga. Each day is associated with the worship of a different form of the Goddess, known as Navadurga, symbolising various virtues and aspects of feminine energy.

The forms include Ma Shailputri, Ma Brahmacharini, Ma Chandraghanta, Ma Kushmanda, Ma Skandamata, Ma Katyayani, Ma Kaalratri, Ma Mahagauri and Ma Siddhidatri.

The festival concludes on the ninth day with Ram Navami, the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Devotees celebrate this day with special prayers, hymns, and offerings, seeking blessings for prosperity, happiness, and spiritual fulfilment.

Chaitra Navratri is not just a religious festival but also a celebration of unity, harmony and cultural heritage. It brings people from diverse backgrounds together, fostering a sense of community, shared values, and devotion to the divine feminine energy.

Read more:

Chaitra Navratri 2024: Significance, Rituals And All You Need To Know - NDTV

New Delhi: India belongs equally to all of its citizens, Hindu or otherwise, more than three-quarters of respondents to a countrywide survey by the Lokniti programme have said.

When asked if they thought India belongs equally to citizens of all religions or if it belongs to Hindus alone, 79% of Loknitis respondents choose the first option, while 11% chose the second. One in ten respondents did not indicate an opinion.

Lokniti found that more respondents between 18 and 25 years of age indicated a pluralist view (81%) than those aged 56 years and above (73%).

College-educated respondents had higher shares of those picking the pluralist option (83%) than respondents who did not go to school (72%).

Fewer Hindus picked the pluralist option (77%) than did Muslims (87%) or respondents of other minority religions (81%), while residents of towns were more likely (85%) than city-dwellers (84%) or those living in villages (76%) to indicate a pluralist view.

Lokniti is a program conducted by the Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. It conducted a pre-election survey between March 28 and April 8 among a total of 10,019 respondents spread across 100 assembly seats in 19 states.

The results of its survey are being published inThe Hindu.

Many think Ayodhya Ram temple will help consolidate Hindu identity

A majority of respondents (48%) also said the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya earlier this year will help consolidate Hindu identity.

One in four respondents (25%) said the temple would not impact Hindus much while 24% did not indicate an opinion.

Among Hindus, Lokniti said upper-class (58%) and upper-caste (59%) respondents were most likely to say the temple will help consolidate Hindu identity.

Overall, most thought the temple will increase harmony between Hindus and Muslims (27%). About one in four (26%) said it will make no difference, while 24% said it will increase differences among the two communities.

Hindu respondents were more likely to think the temple will increase harmony between the two communities, with a majority of 31% saying this.

Muslim respondents, on the other hand, were more likely to think it will increase divisions a majority of 32% picked this option.

Twenty-two percent of Hindu respondents said the temple will increase divisions while 13% of Muslim respondents said it will augment harmony.

We conducted this pre-poll survey more than two months after the consecration of the temple. Yet, the consecration of the temple was etched in the minds of the respondents as a major event, political scientist Suhas Palshikar, who co-directed the survey, said.

He added that the temple issue was undeniably likely to work in the BJPs favour in the general elections.

The temple, which is built on the same place where the Babri mosque was demolished by Hindu nationalists in 1992, was inaugurated in January in Prime Minister Narendra Modis presence.

Proponents of the new temple say Lord Ram was born at the site and that a temple dedicated to him existed there before it was replaced by the mosque.

Religious riots triggered by the mosques demolitionkilled around 2,000 people, mostly Muslim, across India.

In 2019, the Supreme Court handed over the site involved to plaintiffs associated with the Vishva Hindu Parishad.

Views on UCC

The survey also polled respondents views on a uniform civil code (UCC), which is a proposed set of laws that would uniformly govern personal matters across Indias different religious communities.

While a majority of respondents (52%) said they either had no opinion on or hadnt heard of a UCC, 29% said a UCC will empower and enable equality for women while 19% said it might interfere with religious traditions, Lokniti said.

Thirty-one percent of Hindus and 17% of Muslims said a UCC will empower women, while 18% of Hindus and 29% of Muslims said it may interfere with religious traditions.

Also read: Narendra Modi Knows an Actual UCC Will Be an Electoral Disaster for Him

Less enthusiasm for Election Commission

A majority of respondents that shared an opinion were at least somewhat trustful of the Election Commission (58%), but the share of those with the same view just after the 2019 elections has decreased by 20 percentage points.

Those who trusted the body to a great extent (28%) had also declined by 23 percentage points.

The share of respondents that showed not much trust in the commission increased by seven percentage points over the last election (from 7% to 14%) while that of those who did not trust it at all increased by four points (5% to 9%).

Close to half the respondents (47%) said electronic voting machines were at least somewhat likely to be vulnerable to manipulation by the ruling party, while 27% said they were at least somewhat unlikely to be vulnerable to such manipulation.

Next week, the Supreme Court will hear petitions seeking complete verification of the paper trail left by voting machines. Currently, the Election Commission verifies paper trails only in five randomly selected polling booths in each parliamentary constituency.

Originally posted here:

Over Three in Four Indians Endorse Pluralism, New Lokniti Survey Says - The Wire

The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are undertaking initiatives to return private land to Hindu and Sikh minorities, reclaiming these properties from warlords linked to the previous West-backed regime.

This development marks a significant step toward redressing the injustices faced by religious minorities in the country, who have long been displaced and marginalised, said a Taliban official, as reported by Time of India .

Indian officials view this development as a positive gesture towards India. A notable development is the return of Narender Singh Khalsa, a Member of Parliament representing the Hindu and Sikh communities, who recently came back to Afghanistan from Canada.

Also Read: Fall of Kabul- Reporting from a hostile war zone

Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen told The Hindu, A commission chaired by the Minister of Justice has been established to return to their owners all properties which had been usurped by warlords during the former regime.

Following the Talibans takeover in Afghanistan, a significant number of Sikhs and Hindus fled the country, including Narender Singh Khalsa, who was among the first group evacuated by the Indian Air Force in August 2021.

Also Read: Most UN Security Council members demand Taliban rescind decrees seriously oppressing women and girls

The Hindu and Sikh communities have long been integral parts of Afghanistans demographic landscape, historically constituting around 1 per cent of its population. However, the exodus of these communities commenced in the late 1970s and the 1980s amidst political upheaval and the Soviet invasion that engulfed Afghanistan, The Hindu reported.

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Taliban to restore properties of displaced Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan - The Financial Express

Updated as of 5:37 p.m. on April 9 to include video of the event.

Elon Universitys Truitt Center celebrated the end of winter and the warmth of spring with the Holi Festival of Colors at Speakers Corner on April 5. Holi represents hope and new beginnings in the Hindu culture. The spring festival includes colored powder or gulal or colored water.

Holi aims to commemorate connection and companionship, as well as bring the community together to acknowledge diverse cultures. The festival also teaches students about India, Hinduism, and traditional stories reflected in the celebration.

University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement Kirstin Boswell encourages students to participate in these events, which offer opportunities to learn about diverse cultures. She said the Holi festival educates students about minoritized religions on campus.

We want to represent the diversity that we see within our community, but within the wider world, Boswell said. Then make sure that a full spectrum of diversity is represented because if we only went with celebrating the religious festivals, holidays, and traditions that are most represented on campus, we would be missing a big swath of religious traditions that are minoritized.

Elon students throw powdered paint into the air in front of the Moseley Center on Young Commons to celebrate Holi on April 5.

Boswell said she wants to connect students with the spiritual and ethical practices of other cultures. She said the Truitt Center provides educational opportunities and religious guidance to support students identities.

It's from a perspective of not standing on the outside peering into someone else's religion or tradition in a way that is negative or voyeuristic, Boswell said. But to engender a true appreciation of the identities that we see in the world around us.

Boswell also said the Holi festival symbolizes the reblooming of beautiful colors as an act of love and community, which allows students to understand the significance and perspective of Hindu culture.

We need to have a healthy respect for people regardless of their tradition, regardless of all the various identity markers that they hold within them, Boswell said. Looking outside of just yourself, but how it is that you're treating and embracing others who are different from yourself?

Hillary Zaken is the interim assistant dean of multifaith engagement and said the Holi festival is a great way to have fun and distress from school. The Holi colors include red, yellow, pink, purple, orange, and blue.

Elon University students celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors, on April 5. More than 100 Elon students and community members celebrated on Young Commons.

It has a religious and spiritual significance, but it's also a wonderful way to bring the community together, Zaken said. To welcome spring in what I think is one of the most beautiful moments when everyone throws the paint in the air after the countdown and the sky is full of color. I love it.

Zaken collaborated with students to organize the Holi festival including their multifaith interns and Surtal Bollywood Dance Group. She said the multifaith interns are practitioners who help share diverse perspectives and experiences of religions.

Juniors Morgan Williams and Madison Williams are twins who participated in the Holi festival. As multifaith interns, they had an opportunity to research Hindu culture and learn the significance of light over darkness or good over evil.

The planning and celebration has taught me a lot about learning about other people as far as their different values and traditions, Morgan said. But I also realized that a lot of the values are holy with the different colors and what they represent. I can identify with that even though I'm not Hindu.

Morgan said as a multifaith intern, she became a global citizen and learned about humility for other cultures. She said the festival brings awareness to different regions around the world.

More than 100 students, faculty and staff came to Elon Universitys celebration of Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, on April 5 held at Speakers Corner.

Madison said this was her first time participating in the festival so she promoted the event to her peers. She said she hopes that students use this opportunity to educate themselves about Hindu culture.

I hope people understand that this is more than just throwing paint and that they're encouraged to look at the meanings of what each color means, Madison said.

Surtal opened the festival with a lively performance of traditional Indian dances, such as

Bollywood and Kathak. Junior Rece Raju, vice president of Surtal, said this was a great opportunity to share her culture with the community.

Growing up, I didn't celebrate any Indian holidays, Raju said. When I got to Elon and got to be a part of Diwali and Holi, it was a whole other thing for me because I wasn't really in tune with that part of my culture. And so that's why it's so special to me because I get to be a part of something that I didn't even realize was missing.

Raju said the Holi festival is an important holiday open to everyone as a great way to immerse themselves in a different culture.

I hope people get out of this event how special Hinduism is, how special the holidays are, and how many people it brings together from all different cultures and religions, Raju said. We welcome everyone.

Freshman Pearson Dyslin said she enjoyed throwing the colors, watching the dance, and taking photos at the festival. This sparked her interest in exploring Hinduism and participating in future events.

I thought that was a fun experience different from what I would normally be doing, Dyslin said. It's really fun to have colors everywhere. And maybe I'll save my shirt.

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Holi celebration educates students about Hindu culture, spreads awareness for diverse religions - Elon News Network