SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, April 30, 2004: The Maharashtra government today rejected historian James Laine’s apology for his controversial book on the legendary Maratha warrior Shivaji. The state said in court today that it would press criminal charges against the author despite his assurance that he would edit those references to Shivaji and his mother Jijabai that various groups have found objectionable…
SourceMALAYSIA, April 14, 2004: Two religious groups strongly criticized the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision yesterday to throw out an application by a mother to nullify the conversion of her two children to Islam, reports this article. Shamala Sathyaseelan had sought a declaration to have the conversion of her children, aged three and two, declared null and void as it…
MHSKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, April 14, 2004: The following is the full statement released by Datuk A. Vaithilingam, President of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam, in relation to the above decision. The Malaysia Hindu Sangam is deeply concerned with the decision of Yang Arif Justice Dato’ Faiza bin Hj Thamby Chik on April 13, 2004, the Hindu Tamil New Year, in the…
The Toronto StarTORONTO, ONTARIO, April 17, 2004: Hindu freelance writer Ajit Adhopia talks candidly about the four goals important to a Hindu in any given lifetime. The main purpose of the article is to dispel a myth about Hinduism that devotees believe that the world is maya or illusion and therefore encourages followers to shun the world and become ascetics.…
SourceUJJAIN, INDIA, April 22, 2004: Over a million people Thursday took a holy dip in the river Shipra on the occasion of the second Shahi Snan (royal bath) in the ongoing Kumbh Mela in this temple town of western Madhya Pradesh. Thousands of Hindu ascetics, led by those of the Juna Akhara, marched to the banks of the river wielding…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, April 25, 2004: The Centre for Policy Studies here has issued a book, Religious Demography of India, and a part of it has been put on the Web at “source.” It contains data on the trends in religious affiliation in India. If you would like to order the book (cost Rs 800/) e-mail policy@vsnl.com or write to Centre…
SourceCOIMBATORE, INDIA, April 25, 2004: We received the following announcement from Pramod Kumar, Coordinator, Programme for Cultural Education and Self-Growth: I am writing from Ammachi’s Deemed University in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India. As you are aware Amma is very concerned about true education – that all students should imbibe spiritual culture along with their secular education. It is to fulfill Amma’s…
SourceUSA, April 26, 2004: Recently Time Magazine, issue dated April 26, 2004, came out with Top 1OO people in the following fields: Leaders & Revolutionaries; Artists & Entertainers; Builders & Titans; Scientists & Thinkers; Heroes & Icons. Yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar was included in the Heroes and Icons. His entry, written by an actor who is a student of Iyengar’s…
SourceUTTARANCHAL, INDIA, April 25, 2004: The portals of the Gangotri and Yamnotri temples, nestling in the Gharwal Himalayas, were reopened at noon on Thursday. The state government had expected a huge rush of pilgrims, but the ceremony was observed by local people only, as a curfew had been imposed in the area following an outbreak of violence, and many pilgrims…
SourceUJJAIN, INDIA, April 9, 2004: A lot of foreigners who have become naga sadhus are in Ujjain for the Ardh Kumbh, according to this report from ndtv.com. Most of them are members of the Juna Akhada. “I always wanted to be a sadhu and be in India,” said Dutt Bharti, who came to India on a cycle from Germany several…