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Terrorism and Military Lok Sabha election and Indian Premier League has ended after keeping the nation gripped almost for two months and now it is the time to groove over some past incidents that affected every sphere of the Indian society. On papers Lok Sabha elections took the time of almost two months but infect all the political parties had started their political maneuvers almost in the early months of 2008. Many political parties were seen making hue and cry over various unimportant issues and sometimes some of them touched those matters for which they were at one hand criticized by the society and on the other hand they helped the enemies of the nation. But Indian public has understood the region, caste and religion based politics of various parties and now they started to vote for those governments that have given performance and progress to their states. 2009 elections are the perfect examples of it. But one episode that shook the nation and social bonds of the society was the arrest of some retired and serving military officers who were accused of helping some saffron terrorist organizations for carrying out bomb blasts in the Muslim populated areas. A J&K based seer and a sadhvi were also arrested in connection with the Malegaon bomb blasts. Indian investigation agencies reveals that a few months ago a camp was organized in the forests of some eastern state in which some retired and serving military personal had imparted arms training to the activists of an organization that was later on found to be involved in bomb blasts of which Muslims were the prime targets. Some pictures were also appeared in leading newspapers of India in which the accused sadhvi and the seer were seen sharing the dais with some prominent BJP leaders. Later on BJP leadership had declined from any relationship with the accused persons. But whole of this issue had dented BJP’s image. Though we can not rule out that this issue was politically misused by the other major political parties but we also can not rule out the possibility of a political hand behind them.

Character of Indian Military For the political parties such kinds of issues are their daily games but this whole of the issue affected Indian defense forces’ image very adversely. The involvement of some military officers in the bomb blasts and their arrests are a matter of shame and sorrow. But military has also learnt some lessons from whole of this episode. Learning from these unwanted controversies military should make it clear that anyone who takes the oath to protect his country and motherland at any cost, has a special place to his religion in his conscious and sub-conscious mind. Indian defense forces have understood this fact and with it has become famous in the entire world for its bravery, discipline, secularism and communal harmony. That’s why Indian military’s involvement is being demanded to help the civil services and by UNO to carry out peace missions around the world. Indian defense forces have proved their ability and neutral character during communal riots, national calamities and emergency. It has been praised at the international level for carrying out various peace missions successfully. In reality Indian soldiers are the true protectors of communal harmony and secularism.

Religious Gatherings We can not rule out that religion has always affected the mentality of the soldiers.  Out soldiers, their thinking and consciousness is also affected by their religion. Every community has used religion in the battlefields and has won the battles. From his training to his retirement, every soldier of the world worships his arms according to his religious rituals. It is the proven fact that soldier can sacrifice everything in the name of religion. In the battle while attacking the enemy, use of religious slogans is natural. In its true meaning religion is the best method of encouraging the soldiers in the battlefield. In Indian defense forces special efforts are made to keep the communal harmony and secularism. And seers and religions preachers play a special role in this practice. These preachers preach national unity, communal harmony, character building expect religion. In the mixed units religious signs of various religions are kept under the one roof. Religious lectures are given on regular basis and in a disciplined manner. And in these gatherings the involvement of the officers of the same unit is necessary according to the rules weather he belongs to that religion or not. On special occasion families of soldiers and officers also take part in these gatherings because the religion of the soldiers is considered the religion of their officers. In those platoons and regimens in which most of the soldiers are Muslims, officers also fast during the Islamic holly month of Ramjaan.

Religious Occasions Many of us will be surprised to know that sometimes, in case of the absence of the preacher of a religion the preachers of other religions perform daily rituals of that religion. For example in the absence of Pandit (Hindu preacher), Granthi (Sikh preacher) performs the Hindu rituals and religious duties. Pune based Army Institute of National Integration organizes religious courses at various times in which students are given the education of spreading and preaching communal harmony. In these courses, special lectures are given on the goodness, and communal harmony of every religion. Misuse of religion is strictly prohibited in the military. Political and religious discussions are also strictly prohibited in the military. This is not allowed even while helping the civil administration during the communal riots. Except it, military organizes special camps and initiates various programs on the occasions of religious festivals etc. The organization of journeys to Ajmer Sharif and Jama Masjid are the perfect examples of it. In the same way Military makes special arrangement for the protection of Hindu pilgrims during the Amarnath pilgrimage. Every official pays special attention to keep communal harmony during the yatra as people of various religions come into contact with each other. Despite of these relentless efforts sometime some soldiers get distracted. If it happens then these issues should not be given much attention because it affects the courage and character of Indian security forces.

Efforts If some of the military personals are found not on the expected lines then they should be given severe punishment. India is going through one of its worst phases. Social unrest created by economic reasons is being projected as religious unrest by some evil minds who are guided by their personal and political aims. If some political leaders point fingers and demand investigations in some police encounters then it is not the fault of police but of the political leaders who do not even care about the supreme sacrifices made by the valiant police personal. It must be learnt that a regional party leaders had demanded CBI enquiry in the Delhi encounter in which some IM militants were killed and an officer had also laid his life. SP leaders had raised this issue to woo the Muslim voters prior to the Lok Sabha elections. But they had indirectly projected all the Muslims in bad lights. Such kind of political parties are the biggest threat to the communal harmony and national unity of the nation. In such kind of situation defense and police forces remain under tremendous pressure. Security personal come into contact with the society and during that time their minds can be affected by the communal feelings prevalent in the society. And if some of them get distracted then it is natural. But defense forces should keep on their regular relentless efforts to keep the communal harmony intact.

 Violence and Losses Punjab witnessed the return of violence in the third week on May when thousands of people took to streets in protest of the killing of a sect head. Government property of crores of rupees was damages by the protesting mobs. Some trains and Punjab Roadways busses were burnt by the protestors. According to an estimate Punjab and central government have incurred losses of more than 7000 of crores. At some places situation turned out to be worst when protestors became violent and fought pitched battles not only with the police and paramilitary personals but also targeted civilians and shopkeepers. Protestors were seen forcing the shopkeepers to support the shut down. More than two people died and many got injured during the three day long violence. Government had called military and had ordered curfew in some parts of the state. After the relentless work situation came under control but the fire has not yet been put to an end. People are still protesting against the killing of the Dera head though protests are being carried out peacefully.

Incident Dera Sachkhand Ballan’s sect head Sant Niranjan Das and second-in-command Sant Ramanand were on their annual visit to a Sikh Temple in Vienna (Austria). They were preaching their disciples at the Gurdwara when a group of six armed men entered the place and opened the fire. Two of them were armed with pistols while the remaining were carrying knives and sharp edged weapons. With it the place tuned out into battle field. Both the preachers got injured in the attack. Almost 30 persons got injured during the violence. It included the attackers also. On Monday morning Sant Ramanand succumbed to his injuries. The news of the incident had already reached Punjab. The news of the death of Sant Ramanand spread like the fire of jungle and it took the violent turn. All the attackers are believed to be the ethnic Sikhs. It must be learnt that most of the followers of the Dera are from the poor and downtrodden sections of the Punjabi society. Most of them belong to the lower castes and are agricultural laborers.

Discrimination After independence the divide between the lower caste Sikhs and the Landlord Sikhs has widened. And with it tensions have also increased between both of these sections of the society. Religion and caste based politics has added more fuel to the fire. In 2-3 years we have witnessed many incidents that point towards the hidden ‘hate’ towards each other. Lower caste people have been even barred from cremating dead bodied at the common lands by the landlords. Some times they have been bared from entering into the village Gurdwaras. Because of this discrimination, the lower caste people have constructed their separate cremation grounds and Gurdwaras. Many of them have even adopted other religions. But with it the discrimination has not ended but has acquired new dimensions.

Reasons The reasons behind this problems are not religions but financial. Some decades ago the lower caste people were not educated enough to know about their rights. They usually worked as agricultural laborers and were mostly treated as slaves. With the spread of education, they knew that they are being exploited. On the other hand agriculture has not remained a profitable occupation. Some of them adopted alternative occupations breaking from their traditional way of living and earning. Now they have become self-sufficient and are fewer dependants on the landowners. Many of them work in the gulf countries and with it has have attained prosperities. Now they have started to demand equal rights which are not acceptable to their masters of order times. But on the other hand agricultural labor has become more expensive because of less availability. This has given birth to tensions between both the sections of the society. Geographically they live very near to each other and in such conditions conflicts have become common phenomena. The Vienna incident and its aftermath is just an instance of the hidden unrest. In the coming times this problem can reach the alarming levels. This problem can be solved through political initiatives but Sikh Saints and religions personalities will have to come forward so that world’s newest religion, Sikhism, can be saved from such kind of impurities.

The Sutras: The Sutras, ‘compendious treatises dealing with Vedic ritual on the one hand, and with customary law on the other’, are admitted by all to rank only as traditional learning (smriti), but they are usually regarded as included in the Veda. They are written in a laboriously compressed style, sometimes approaching the structure of algebraic formulas, unintelligible without the help of authoritative commentaries. Such exaggerated value used to be attached to mere brevity of expression that a sutra writer was supposed to derive as much pleasure from the saving of a short vowel as from the birth of a son.

The Sutras comprise the Srauta, dealing with the ritual of the greater sacrifices; the Grihya, explaining the ceremonial of household worship; and Dharma, treating of social and legal usage. The third section is that which mainly concerns the historian, being the foundation of the Dharmasastras, such as the well-known Laws of Manu, so called.

Sama and Yajurvedas. Having enumerated the principal classes of works usually included in the Veda, we return to the metrical samhitas which are the real Veda. Only two need be noticed particularly, because the Sama- and Yajurvedas are comparatively unimportant.

The former is a hymn-book, ‘practically of no independent value, for it consists entirely of stanzas (excepting only 75) taken from the Rig-Veda and arranged solely with reference to their place in the Soma sacrifice’, The Yajurvedas, which also borrows much matter from the Rig-Veda and exists in several forms, is a book of sacrificial prayers, and includes some prose’ formulas.

The Rig-Veda samhitas: The Rig-Veda unquestionably is the oldest” part of the literature and the most important of the Vedas from the literary point of view. The samhitas contains 1,017 (or by another reckoning 1,028) hymns, arranged in ten books, of which the tenth certainly is the latest. The collection about equals in bulk the Iliad and’ Odyssey together. Books II-VII, known as the ‘family books’, because they are attributed to the members of certain families forms ‘the nucleus of the Rig-Veda, to which the remaining books were successively added’.

Difficulties of the Vedic hymns: The Vedic hymns present innumerable difficulties to the student. The language and grammar, which differ widely from those of the ‘classical’ Sanskrit, require profound expert investigation before the verses can be compelled to yield sense so as to permit the text to be construed. Even when a literal version in more or less grammatical English has been produced, the meaning behind the words often eludes the translator. The ideas of the Rishis are so remote from those of the modern world that the most learned Sanskritist, whether Indian or foreign, may fail to grasp them,

Interpretations consequently differ to an enormous extent, and after all possible has been said and done much remains obscure. Subject to such inherent difficulties and to necessary limitations of space, will try to give the reader some slight notion of the contents of the Rig-Veda and Atharvaveda hymnals, to indicate the nature of the poets’ religion, and to draw a faint sketch of the social condition of the Indo-Aryans.

The poetry of the Veda: Professor MacDonnell observes that ‘by far the greater part of the poetry of the Rig-Veda consists of religious lyrics, only the tenth [and latest] book containing some secular poems.  The Rig-Veda is not a collection of primitive popular poetry. . . . It is rather a body of skillfully composed hymns produced by a sacerdotal class’, for use in a ritual which was not as simple as has been sometimes supposed. The metres and arrangement are the highly artificial work of persons who may be justly called learned, although probably ignorant of the art of writing. The same competent critic holds that, although the poetry is often marred for our taste by obvious blemishes, the diction is generally simple and unaffected, the thought direct, and the imagery frequently beautiful or even noble. The poems naturally vary much in literary merit, having been composed by many diverse authors at different times. The best may be fairly called sublime, while the worst are mechanical and commonplace.

Subject-matter: Most of the hymns are invocations addressed to the gods, conceived as the powers of nature personified. Agni, or Fire, and Indra, primarily the god of thunder, and secondarily the god of battle, are the favorite deities. Indeed the religion may be regarded as, being based upon fire-worship. The gods are represented as great and powerful, disposed to do good to their worshippers, and engaged in unceasing conflict with the powers of evil. The poets usually beg for material favors and seek to win the deity’s good will by means of prayers and sacrifice. Nothing indicates that images were used as aids to worship. Heaven or Sky, personified as Varuna, is the subject of striking poems and the sun is addressed as Surya or by other names in several compositions of much merit. Two specimens of Rig-Veda poetry may help readers to form some estimate of the poetic skill of Rishis and to appreciate their religious aspiration.

The Bhakti movement spread its influence all over India. All the bahkt reformers did not flourish at one and the same time. The history of the movement goes back to the time of great reformer Shankracharya who gave Hinduism a solid philosophical background. But the movement became popular in the middle ages. Chaitanya led the movement in the east( modern Uttar Pradesh), Tuka Ram, Nam Dev and Tirlochan in the Central India, Sadna, Pipa, Mirabai, Tulsi Das and above all Kabir were its leaders in the north. Kabir’s teachings had great influence in the Punjab, but actually the movement in the Punjab was led by Guru Nanak and his nine successors. The message of love and devotion to god was spread among the people of the Punjab for ten generations. This intense and organized propaganda of the Bhakti cult by the Sikh Gurus led to the foundation of a community of Bhaktas known as the Sikhs. 

In the Punjab, the Sikhs on account of certain environmental factors and their constant struggle against the Mughal tyrants could not follow strictly the orthodox Bhakti tenets. But still the fundamentals of the Sikh Bhakti creed are the same as advocated by the Bhakti reformers of the middle ages. Thus, whereas in other parts of India the Bhakti school developed more or less in traditional lines and after a short period of fruitful activity quieted down into narrow, hidebound or at best mystical ascetics, Sikhism in Punjab went on at a tangent and ultimately evolved what has been a church nation.   In the first place, no Hindu bhakta before Guru Nanak had condemned so emphatically and rejected the path of asceticism as guru Nanak did. Guru Nanak enjoined upon his disciples to lead a pious life of a householder. Ascetics were not even admitted to the Sikh fold. After his death his son Baba Sri Chand and his disciples were regarded as the true followers of Guru Nanak. Secondly, no Bhakti reformer before Nanak had founded a regular institution of Guruship or spiritual guide or established sangat for the propagation of Bhakti doctrines in different areas. Guru Nanak established these two institutions and through them preached the methods of Bhakti. His nine successors followed the same path.  Thirdly, the other Bhakti reformers did not attempt to dislodge Sanskrit form the position of being the sacred language of the Hindus, though almost all of them had composed their Bhajans or hymns in their own vernaculars. The Sikh gurus introduced and popularized the Gurumukhi script. The use of Gurumukhi also broke the monopoly of learning enjoyed by the priestly class learned in Sanskrit.  Fourthly, the Bhakti reformers in other parts of the India did not question the sanctity of the Hindu avtars, divinities and heroes as described in the Hindu scriptures. But Guru Nanak and his successors had no faith in the Puranic mythology. Though they used some Puranic similies in their writings, they had no faith in the Puranic Avtars and divinities. 

Lastly, according to the Sikh theology, god is Nirankar ( formless) and not Chidaka(with spiritual body). God is invisible. He is not Vishnu, Krishna or Rama but formless. This view of the Sikh Bhakti reformers is different from those of earlier Bhaktas. No doubt, Sikhism embodies the fundamentals of the Bhakti school but it differed in some details. Sikhism belonged to the great family of popular religions which flourished in the 15^th and 16^th centuries and which preached the doctrine of Bhakti. Nanak had almost identical views with those of Kabir. Guru Arjan Dev gave a prominent place to the hymns of Kabir while compiling the Adi Granth, the most sacred book of the Sikhs. The hymns of many other Bhaktas like Nam Dev, Jai Dev, Sadna, Pipa have been included in the Adi Granth because they were found to be identical with the Sikh doctrines.

According to the Hindu thought salvation or freedom from the bondage of birth and death can be attained by three different methods (margas) viz., Gyan (knowledge), Karma (action) and Bhakti (devotion). During the period of Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526), a series of Hindu saints and reformers set on a movement of religious reform, which adopted the last method, viz, devotion which came to be known as Bhakti Movement.

The movement was not altogether new. It first originated in the south and was advocated by Sankracharya. In the middle ages it received impetus from the presence of econoclastic Muslim preachers, who stressed the unity of God, vehemently criticized the Hindu religion and thought and attempted to convert Hindus to Islam by all kinds of means. Hinduism, therefore, tried to defend itself by purging off some of its evil practices such as empty ritual practices, rigours of caste system and image worship.

Some of the well- known religious reformers who adopted the cult of Bhakti to fight against the danger of Islam and the Brahmanical tyranny were Rama Nanda, Kabir, Sadna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Guru Nanak. They all emphasized with the same sequence of accent the great panacea of the Name. Though they differed here and there in details, they all were unanimous in emphasizing the fundamentals of the Bhakti cult where were as under:

-Emotional Worship: chanting the hymns or Bhajans of the Lord in utmost devotion and develop love for him and his creations. Abstention from all sham, insincerity, hypocrisy and cruelty will lead to God.

-Guru Bhakti: Every person must attach himself to a spiritual mentor who would guide him to the high path. He teaches men the great lessons of love and secrets to win his love.

-Self Surrender or Prapti: a man in love with god should surrender oneself completely to a teacher and be guided by him in everything.

-No belief in rituals: the Bhakti reformers vehemently attacked the formalities of religion, ostentatious prayers, penance, pilgrimages, and fasts and performance of sacrifices.

-Opposed to the rigidity of Caste system:  the caste system was based on inequality and had no place in the doctrine of Divine Love. All are equal and no one should be regarded as high or low. God dwells in the heart of a man and not in an idol or a temple.

-No Sanctity of any particular language: the Bhakti reformers do not believe in the sanctity of any particular language. God is not pleased with any particular language. He understands only one language, the language of heart.

In the beginning, the Bhakti cult was known as “Ekantika Sadhana”. It was so called because it laid great emphasis on single minded love and devotion to one. It was not a new doctrine. Rather was based upon the teachings of Bhagvad Gita.

Bhakti is possible only after certain conditions are fulfilled such as: faith in God, following truth, unattachment and desirelessness, control over thought and deed, association with holy men or satsang, humility and submission to the will of the Almighty.

Agitation A psychological rift between Muslims and Hindus, created by some politics faded away when people from all sections of the society agitated against the Mumbai carnage near Taj Hotel. Whether it were children, senior citizens, actors, businessmen or housewives, people from all religions and sections of the society took part in the candle light vigil to pay their homage to the martyrs and victims of the Mumbai carnage. This agitation has sent a clear and strong message to the politicians and the terrorists that they do not require their ’sympathy’ and ‘leadership’ that divides them form each other. This had not ended here as people , especially Muslims in many other cities agitated against the terror attack. Muslim community had agitated against the attack by terming it as ‘against the Islamic laws’. Some Islamic religious organizations had appealed to the Muslims to wear a black band on Eid as a protest against the Mumbai terror attack. Some prominent Islamic leaders also had criticized some political partis by saying that showing sympathy to the serial bomb blast suspects will not won votes of Muslims for them. They has also demanded the ‘hot pursuit’ of the terrorists responsible for such attacks.

Eid Celebrations Many prominent people and organizations have canceled their yearly celebration in wake of the Mumbai carnage. 60 hour terror seize and killing of innocent people have also shadowed this year’s Eid celebrations. Most people across the country wore black bands and kept their Eid-ul-Zuha celebrations sombre. Whether it is Mumbai, Delhi or other small cities Muslims offered Eid-ul-Zuha prayers in the most simple manner. Special prayers were also held for the well being of the terror victims. At some places religious heads of the community addressed the gatherings and termed terrorism as anti-Islamic. They have sent one strong message across the country that terrorists are the enemies of the nation and the community.

Religion and Terrorism Some people also objected to wearing the black band. Their view was that there is no need for the community to wear black bands to show their innocence when they are against the terrorists. There is no doubt that every Indian was frustrated after the Mumbai attacks and everyone has right to chose his way to agitate. But the Mumbai carnage has also cleared the minds of the some politicians that now religion can not be used to meet their vested interests. Many political parties were using the terms ‘Hindu terror’ and ‘Islamic terror’ before the Mumbai carnage but strong public protest against the terrorist have made it clear that terrorists don’t belong to any religion and no religion has place for such ’satans’.

United During the recently held assembly elections many political parties has tried to use the Mumbai carnage as an election issue. Some politicians had tried to exploit the situation by showing their sympathy to families of the victims. There are some incidents when some affected families denied politicians the chance to score some points. Whenever any politician tried to use Mumbai terror attack as an issue he had to face strong criticism from all sections of the society. It was only because of the public pressure that some prominent ruling politicians had to resign from their post because of their unsatisfactory work. After Kargil it was the first time that Indians were seen united again against their common enemy, terrorism. People’s united agitation has also forced the Indian politicians to think about the safety of Indians not the religions.

Seer Mumbai ATS arrested a self-styled seer Dayanand Pandey, alias Sudhakar Dwivedi alias Swami Amritanand Dev Teerth Maharaj from Kanpur on Thursday, November 13 for his alleged rile in the Malegaon blast. He has floated the Sarvagyapeeth in Jammu and had become a Shankaracharaya own his own. The original Sarvagyapeeth is situated in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. ATS has claimed that Pandey had attended several ‘confidential meetings’ organized by ‘Abhinav Bharat’ in several parts of the country. The conspiracy of Malegaon blasts was hatched during these meetings. According to ATS claims Pandey had played an important roll for arranging logistic and financial support to carry out the bomb blasts. He also had asked Lt-Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit to arrange for explosives to carry out the blasts and had also arranged a meeting between him and prime suspect Ramji in August this year.

Government ATS has claimed that no elected representative has been found involved in the blasts but names of two prominent pro-Hindu leaders have cropped up during the investigation. Till now, 10 persons have been arrested in connection with the Malegaon blasts which involve two army officers and two religious figures. The involvement of the army personal and the seers into the blasts is a serious cause of concern. It also hints at the frustration of a particular community caused by continuous bomb blasts in various parts of the country. Government, instead of taking concrete steps is busy in ‘community appeasement’ in the wake of arrests of some suspected militants.

Politics Instead of handling these sensitive issues with ‘utmost care’ all the national political parties have politicized the issue. It will be one of the major political issues during the next Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. ATS, too, had speeded up to solve the case before the announcement of Lok Sabha elections. If Pragya Thakur and Sudhakar Dwivedi are convicted before the Lok Sabha elections then it will be a big achievement for ‘secular’ parties of India who will then get an issue to target BJP for its Hindutva policy. There will be no astonishment if ATS arrests some people who might have, by chance, passed by Pragya Thakur because it has been given the ‘right’ to do so for the ‘internal security’ of the country.

                     Hindu Terrorist Outfit Behind Malegaon Blast

Bomb Blasts Initial intelligence reports have hinted to the involvement of a right-wing Hindu group in the Malegaon (Mumbai) blasts in the September month of this year. Malegaon is a textile town and most of the population is Muslim. Anti-Terrorist Squad have arrested three persons including a ’sadhvi’ in connection with the blast in which six persons had died.  The names of  the tree arrested persons are Pragnya Singh Chandrapal Singh, 38, Shiv Narayan Gopal Singh Kalsanghra, 36, and Shyam Bhawarlal Sahu, 42. Pragnya is a ’sadhvi’ who had took ’sanyas’ in 2007. A name of an Hindu organization has figured in the investigation which was founded by Pragna. The motorcycle that was used in the bomb blast also belongs to Pragna. Though, the ‘militants’ had tried all efforts to hide the ownership of the vehicle but investigation agency had succeeded in retrieving the engine and the chassis numbers with the help of the forensic department.

Hindu Groups Some months ago two former members of a Hindu organization were found involved in making of low-intensity bombs. But it is the first time that any Hindu Organization has been found involved in carrying out bomb blasts. But involvement of a woman is the most shocking development. It is the new face of the Hindu terror. It is being said that Pragnya is a former member of Durga Vahini, the women wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. In recent months communal violence had erupted in many states and in most of the cases fundamental Hindus had targeted the minority communities. In future same kind on incidents can happen. If it happens so then it can’t be denied that the riots will kill scores of people. It is the starting point if the government and the ‘patriotic’ Hindu organizations fail to control the situation in its initial stages then it will be very destructive for the unity of the country and to the fame of the group.

Criminal Elements VHP along with some other Hindu organizations project themselves as ‘patriotic’ groups but the religious touch has always distracted them from the righteous path. In recent years criminal elements have entered these groups who remain always in search of appropriate time to target the minority communities for their personal benefits. Same has happened in Orissa and some other states where Christians were targeted. There are some instances when the attackers had killed even those Hindus who had tried to same the Christian. Such kind of people are not doing any good to their religion, community, state or nation except their personal interests.

Canonization Sister Alphonsa became the first Indian woman Christian Saint when Pope Benedict XVI canonized her along with three other Catholic figures on Sunday in a ceremony which was attended by about 40,000 people. There were thousands of Indian pilgrims who were present at the ceremony. Pope criticized the anti-Christian violence in India and Iraq. It must be learnt that almost 50 Christians have been killed in the anti-Christian violence in the Orissa and some other adjoining states. Sister Alphonsa’s canonization will give a big boost to the morale of minority Indian Christians who are living in relief camps for weeks in a very pathetic condition because of fear of attacks by the violent Hindu mobs. Pope told Indian Pilgrims that Alphonsa’s “heroic virtues of patience, fortitude and perseverance in the midst of deep suffering remind us that God always provides the strength we need to overcome every trial.” His words remark the tough times Indian Christians are going through.

Saints The three others who have been canonized are Ecuadorian Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran (1832-1869), Swiss nun Maria Bernarda Buetler (1848-1924) and Italy’s Gaetano Errico (1791-1860). Gaetano Errico was the priest and founder of Missionaries of Sacred Hearts of Jesus while Swiss nun Maria Bernarda Buetler was foundress of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Mary Help of Christians and Narcisa de Jesus Martillo was an ordinary Equadorian laywoman who used to help the poor and sick people.

Saint Alphonsa Born on August 19,1910 in Kudamaloor near Kottayam, Alphonsa Muttathupadathu was the daughter of Joseph and Mary. She had died in July 1946 and he canonization process had started 55 years ago. Pope John Paul II had beautified her in 1986 and her name for sainthood was cleared by Pope Benedict in June 2007. numerous miracles are associated with her and her canonization is the recognition of her those miracles. She is the second Indian who has been canonized as the first was the son of an Indian mother and Portuguese father, a Franciscan monk named Gonzalo Garcia. Saint Alphonsa is popularity known as Alphonsamma or Mother Alphonsa in India. Saint Mary’s Church in Kudamaloor and Fraciscan Clarist Convent in Bharananganam are some of the famous places related to her and are the famous pilgrimage destinations.

Controversy Shoib Akhtar for Pakistan, Andrew Symonds for Australia and Harbhajan Singh (Bhajji) for India are the match winning cricket players. But it is not their performance in the International cricket that keeps them in headlines. They always remain in headlines not only for their onfield performance but also for their off field controversies. Shoib Akhtar is out of Pakistan team on disciplinary grounds and same is with Andrew Symonds. But Bhajji too has earned Akal Takhat’s wrath by performing and dancing on a TV show as a demon king Ravana. He had dressed as Ravana and was wearing a tilak when he danced with Mona Singh (actress) in the television show, “Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena”.

Sikh Tradition Sikhs have a unique a identity and a lot of importance is given to preserve it. It is the Sikh history that thousands of Sikhs had sacrificed to preserve their identity under the Mugul and British rule. Bhajji’s act of dressing like the demon king and wearing a tilak is highly objectionable to the community. He has hurt the Sikh sentiments Akal Takhat has ordered him to apologizer to Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh Sangat for the objectionable act. It must be learnt that Akal Takhat is the oldest and supreme Sikh Body that is elected by the Sikhs, democratically. Akal Takhat’s Hukamnamas (orders) are respected by the Sikhs as the orders of their Guru.

Sikh Sentiments Though no one have complained against him but Akal Takhat has taken the notice of the act and have taken the action. Internationally, he is recognized as a Sikh player and his act have sent wrong messages about the Sikhism. He had taken part in the TV show during the navratras. Navratras are the nine day festival season after which the tenth day is celebrated as Vijay Dashmi. It means goods victory over evil. According to the Hindu mythology Lord Rama had killed the Demon king Ravana on this day. Despite physical identity there is not enough difference between the Sikh and Hindu religious teachings. Sikhs too, give a lot of importance to Lord Rama. Thus Akal Takhat’s stand against Bhajji is natural. Some months ago cricket commentator Mandira Badi had used the Sikh religious symbol “Ek Omkar” on here body as a tattoo and had to apologize for the act.

Suspension of Agitation Normalcy has returned to Jammu region after the Sri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) suspended more than two months’ old agitation  . SAYSS took the the decision of suspending the agitation after it reached an agreement with the four member panel appointed by the J&K Governor NN Vohra. Both the parties reached an agreement after seven-hour long discussions in the fourth round of the talks.

Agreement According to the agreement Sri Amarnath Shrine Board headed by Governor will be responsible for the overall arrangements for the pilgrimage on both of the routes. It will be the responsibility of the board to construct prefabricated huts and toilets for the pilgrims. Board will also manage the facilities for the shopkeepers, ponywalla’s and pithuwalla’s , setting up of free langars by private persons, parking of vehicles and security. It will also take steps for preservation of ecology and land protection and conservation.

According to the agreement the proprietary status/ownership/title of the land will remain with the owner and the land will be used by the Board only for the duration of the yatra. It will also include the time of setting up of facilities and and then winding them up. However, nothing has been said about the period the yatra. One government official on condition of anonymity said that it is not the part of the agreement as its  exclusive right is with the board. It is Board that decides the duration of the yatra as it largely depends on weather conditions

.However, pilgrimage period will not exceed two months.

Demands Samiti had demanded withdrawal of criminal cases against agitators, compensation to the families of the deceased and injured and compensation to the traders and other business establishments that suffered huge losses during the agitations. Government agreed to withdraw the bailable non-serious nature cases against the agitators and remaining cases will be reviewed within 60 days by a committee headed by principal secretary. Except it Governor would form a committee that will look into the compensation related demands. It will send a report to the central government to provide financial support to compensate the losses suffered by the traders and business establishments within the time of two months.

Breach Sant Baba Sukhjeet Singh Seechewal, who is world famous environmentalist for o his Kali Bain cleansing efforts once again has hit the headlines. This time he has accomplished the task of plugging the breach in Sutluj river at the Kaalu Mandi Village of Jalandhar district of the state of Punjab. This breach had happened in the river because of the increased flow of water on the midnight of August 15. More than 30 villages had been submerged in the water which had forced the local population to shift to the safer places. It had damaged the crop on thousands of acres.

Task State government was yet to initiate the process of plugging the breach. State Drainage Department had claimed that it take the minimum time of ten days to accomplish the task. But Baba  Sukhjeet Singh Seechewal and Baba Kashmira Singh came to the rescue of the distressed people. They accomplished the task of plugging the breach by creating a 400-feet ring ‘bandh’ just in the period of three and a half day with the help of villagers and volunteers of religious deras. More than one lakh sand bags were used to plug the breach. Bhakra-Beas Management Board(BBMB), that controls most of the dams in north Indian, had already warned the government of increase in water release  because of the rise in water level in Bhakra Dam. Anticipating the possibilities, volunteers have decided to raise the height of the bandh by 4 feet.

Tradition Sikh Saints as well as religious bodies have always helped the people whenever any natural calamity happens. It is just a single example. Whether it was earthquakes in Gujarat, Kashmir or natural calamity in Florida, Sikh organizations have always  helped the affected people . Sant Seechewal’s this step is the example of the prevailant tradition in Sikhism. But It has also shown the way to the society to effectively handle the critical situations. He just motivated the people and the work was done by  their selves. Though it was the responsibility of the state government but some times involvement of general population becomes necessary. 

Move After the gap of more than 20 years Congress has again started to interfere into the political matters of Sikhism. This time it is the Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is spearheading the conspiracy to break up the supreme and elected Sikh religious institution, the Shiromani Gurdwara Panbandhak Committee(SGPC). He has initiates a process for the formation of a separate Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Pabandhak Committee(HSGPC). His move has hotted up a war of words between various Sikh groups. Radical Sikhs have termed the move lead by the Haryana CM as Congress’ old policy of dividing the Sikhs. Congress had promised to constitute a separate Sikh body to look after the Sikh shrines in the state in its manifesto during the last assembly elections. But it is being considered as an attempt to gain control over the religious matters of Sikhs. Hooda has gone ahead to fulfill his political promise but he has underestimated the damage that can be caused by this issue to the unity of Sikhism as well as India.

Political Blunder It must be learn that same kind of error had been committed by the former Prime Minister and Congress Chief late Ms Indira Gandhi that had become a major threat to the unity of the country and had created a wide rift between the Hindus Muslims. She had tired to use Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala to take control of SGPC which result into the biggest political blunder of her life. Operation Blue Star, murder of Ms Indira Gandhi, Sikh killings in Delhi and militancy in Punjab was the result of the move.

Punjab CM Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Prakash Singh Badal has met Prime Minister Sardar Manmohan Singh on Friday and requested him to intervene into the matter before the situation becomes a national crisis.

Badals

As for as the SGPC is concerned, it has lost its commands over Sikhs. Sikh faith in SGPC has been shaken because it is being controlled by Badal supporters for many years. It has become only a political body as it is evident from the frequent changes of SGPC Jathedars(SGPC heads). Who ever raised voice against the corruption prevalent in the ’supreme and elected religious Sikh body’ or the dominance of ‘Badals’ he is overthrown from the post. Some critics say that Badals have gained undemocratic control over the functioning of SGPC. To what extent these remarks are correct everyone, who believes in Sikhism, knows well.

Sant Sri Aasaram Bapu is one of the most famous saints in India to whom his followers call ‘Bapyji’. Under the guidance of Sant Sri Aasaram Bapu followers participate in spiritual and social activities. Bapu has spread the message of Vedas, Bhakti Gyan and Karma Yoga throughout whole of the world. Bapuji and his followers have started and actively participated in many social welfare and relief works whenever there was any kind of natural calamity. Bapuji has established many educational institutions in which education is given to the children and the youths according to the Vedas and Upanishads

Childhood Bapu’s childhood name was Asumal. He was born to a wealthy family on 17 November 1941 in the village named Berani of the Nawab district of Sindh state of undivided India. Ansuman was very much influenced by the stories of Hindu scriptures that his mother used to narrate and that later on proved to be the guiding force that led him towards spirituality. During his student days he used to be a brilliant boy with a sharp memory. He used to meditate when other children of his age used to play in the free time. After the partition of India their family migrated from Sindh to Maninagar of the district of Gujarat. Asumal soon realized that the school education was only meant to make the students able enough so that they can earn their livelihood. Though he continued his studies but whenever he got free time he used to meditate at some lonely place.

Religious Life He had to discontinue his studies and to take the responsibility of his family along with his elder brother after the death of his father. Death of his father intensified his yearning for the attainment of ultimate truth. He was married to Lakshmi Devi dispite all his resistance. He joined a Sanskrit school to understand the Hindu scriptures properly. He left his home with the burning desire of attaining God. Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharan accepted him as his disciple and after many tests asked him to go home and continue his quest at home. But instead of going home he went to the bank of Narmada where he meditated for many days. He remained in solitude for seven years after the blessings Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharan who had transformed him into Asaram Bapu.

Bapu entered the family life according to the orders of his Guru. He chose Motera village to live which in a very short span of time became a spiritual center.

Festival The famous festival of Puri Rath Yatra (Chariots of Lord Jagannatha) is celebrated every year at the sacred coastal town of Puri, in the state of Orrisa. It is one of the biggest festivals during the monsoon season. According to the Indian solar calendar, it falls two days after the new moon day of the month of Asadh. This annual festival commemorates the journey of Krishna from Gokul to Mathura. It also symbolizes a journey to light from the dark. Throughout whole of the year all the deities Jagannath (Krishna), Baladeva and Subhadra remain inside the temple but on the day of the Rath festival they are taken through the streets so that everyone can have the fortune of seeing them.

Chariots Three richly decorated gigantic chariots, resembling the 12th century Jagannath temple in shape are pulled through the streets of Puri. On the day of journey the three chariots the Lord Jagannath’s yellow coloured Nandighosa, Balabhadra’s blue colored Taladwaja and Subhadra’s Deviratha are lined up in front of the temple and then the deities are brought on to their respective Chariots. Once the king of Puri the living symbol of Lord Jagannath sweeps the chariots with scented water and golden broom, the pilgrims lined up with the rope pull the chariots on the Badadanda to Gundicha Ghar which is situated at a distance of 2 km from their temple. Since non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the Jagannath temple it is the only day when non-Hindu devotees get their glimpse of the deities. A spiritual ambience pervades the whole scene as bells chime; conch shells blow and the saffron robed sadhus dance with abandon. It is fascinating to watch the delirious masses paying homage to the Lord as the chariots move on almost as if propelled by a divine force.

Procession The procession is led by Balabhadra’s chariot, followed by Subhadra,s with the Lord Jagannath’s bringing up the rear, dragged by about 4000 honored devotees to their garden house, the Gundicha Ghar. On the way deities are treated to special Cake, Podapitha offered at the shrine of goddess Aradhamsini (aunt) of Lord Jagannath. Once the chariots reach Gundicha Ghar of Mandir, the deities give darshan to devotees every day. After a rest of 8 days, they return to Jagannath Temple with a similar procession. Every year new chariots are constructed to rigid specifications of make laid down in temple’s ancient manuals. Millions of devotees, from all over the country and abroad, pay homage to the Lord as the chariots.