2 women enter Sabarimala; temple shuts for ‘purification’ ritual

Agencies

January 2, 2019

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 2: Two women below 50 walked into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala before daybreak on Wednesday, becoming the first to do so since the Supreme Court ordered the end of a decades-old ban on women of menstrual age entering the shrine. The temple has been shut for ritual "purification".

Bindu and Kanaka Durga, both in their early 40s, entered the hilltop shrine early this morning around 3.45 am. A video shows the women hurrying into the shrine, dressed in all-black and escorted by the police. A group of protesters also appear to be at the spot.

Confirming their visit, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said: "It is a fact that the women entered the shrine. Police are bound to offer protection to anyone wanting to worship at the shrine."

The women started the uphill trek to the temple around midnight, reached a little before 4 am and left after praying to Lord Ayyappa. There was no media glare and very few devotees were around at the time, which apparently facilitated the "sneak"visit.

The women were protected by small group of policemen, both in uniform and plainclothes.

"I don't think it is true...They might have done that in absolute secrecy. Once we know, we will take appropriate action," said Rahul Easwar, activist and leader of the Ayyappa Dharma Sena.

Bindu, 44, is a college lecturer and CPI(ML) activist, according to the Press Trust of India. Kanakadurga, 42, is a civil supplies employee who had come to Sabarimala on December 24 after 11 women activists of a Chennai-based outfit trying to reach the shrine were chased away by devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras.

Both women had tried to visit Sabarimala in the last week of December, but had been blocked by massive protests. The temple reopened on December 30 for the Makaravilakku festival and there has been a heavy rush of pilgrims since then.

Priests and many devotees strongly believe that the ban on women between 10 and 50 years should stay as the deity Lord Ayyappa is celibate.

Since the Supreme Court overturned the ban on September 28, upholding the constitutional right of every individual to practice their faith, protesters had ensured that women below 50 were unable to enter the shrine. Over a dozen women tried but were stopped by a wall of protesters less than a km from the temple's entrance.

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Twitter briefly blocks Karnataka BJP’s official account over provocative tweets

News Network

February 12,2020

Social media giant Twitter briefly blocked the Karnataka BJP's account after it posted several provocative tweets and taunted Muslim women.

Ironically, the BJP called its unhygienic tweets as "liberal views". "It is unfortunate that our handle was locked out by Twitter for speaking the truth about liberals," it said.

"A big thanks for your support and encouragement. Satymeva Jayate. Jai Hind," the political party said to its supporters.

However, it did not specify for how long Twitter blocked its account but tweeted again on Wednesday after Monday.

Last week Karnataka BJP drew flak on Twitter for taking a swipe at Muslim women who appear to be standing in a line to vote in Delhi's assembly polls. ""Kaagaz Nahi Dikayenge Hum" ! ! ! Keep the documents safe, you will need to show them again during NPR exercise (sic)," the party's Karnataka Twitter handle posted using the hashtag #DelhiPolls2020.

It tweeted on Monday, accusing Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Sushil Kumar Shinde and Vijay Bahuguna for "cheating" Dalits.

Karnataka BJP spokesperson G. Madhusudhan said that he had no idea about the account being blocked and then unblocked by Twitter.

"What has happened? I don't know," said Madhusudhana.

Reacting to the drubbing BJP suffered in the Delhi Assembly polls, the party tweeted that there is no need to lose heart.

"Now is the time to go back to voters to win their hearts and minds. Let us plan for 2025 from today. We are with you," tweeted Karnataka BJP on Wednesday.

Though BJP congratulated Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for winning the Delhi polls, the party highlighted that it managed to increase it vote share by six per cent compared to 2015.

Also Read: Karnataka BJP taunts Muslim women, asks them to keep document safe for NPR

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No need to block them. What else can we expect from a bunch of idiots? Especially from "bada goatala kiya saar"

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2 suspected coronavirus patients admitted in Ballari govt hospital

News Network

March 6,2020

Ballari, Mar 6: Ballari Deputy Commissioner S S Nakul on Friday said that two persons who had shown symptoms of COVID-19 had been admitted to the district government hospital here.

Informing this to the presspersons here, Mr Nakul said that the cases were reported from Jindal village of K R Hospital taluk and another one from Hospet town in Ballari taluk.

He said a suspect returned from Dubai to Hospet last week and showed symptoms of COVID-19. Both suspected patients were admitted to special isolated ward in Ballari government hospital and their throat swab tests taken on Thursday had been sent to lab in Bangalore to check for COVID-19.

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Eid al-Adha a symbol of sacrifice, patience: S M Rashid Haji

coastaldigest.com news network

July 31,2020

Mangaluru, July 31: Extending Eid al-Adha greetings to the people, S M Rashid Haji, president of the Bearys chamber of commerce & industry has termed the festival as a symbol of sacrifice and patience.

“Eid al-Adha commemorates the Prophet Ibraheem’s (a) test of faith and sacrifices. It symbolizes sacrifice and endurance,” he said.

“Every human being during his lifetime faces one or the other test from the Almighty… Now we are collectively facing the hardship... May this festival bring goodness and peace, and herald the end of pandemic,” he said.

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