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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 [...]

   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 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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

                     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 [...]

  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.