azam-khan-says-up-governor-ram-naik-like-ayodhya-temple-priest-politicos-react

Azam Khan says UP governor Ram Naik 'like Ayodhya temple priest', Politicos react

New Delhi, Dec 14 (ANI): Politicos react as Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan said that Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik is acting 'more like a priest of the Ayodhya temple than a governor'. Khan said this at a public gathering on Saturday in Amroha. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that the statement given by the governor was not correct. NCP leader Majid Memon said that Khan is known for making such types of comment, but the governor also should refrain from making such statements on the issue. RJD leader Manoj Jha said that it is the responsibility of the governor to take care of the constitutional things. CPI leader Atul Anjan said that Azam Khan should try to avoid speaking in first place. He, however, went on to say that is Naik is interested in political issues, he should resign from the post of the governor and join politics. Dec 14, 2014
norway-to-take-up-clean-india-campaign-in-varanasi

Norway to take up 'Clean India' campaign in Varanasi

Varanasi, Dec 14 (ANI): Norway's ambassador to India, Eivind S Homme, met mayor of Varanasi Ram Gopal Mohale to take forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cleanliness campaign in the temple town. He added that the river which flows through five states cannot be made filth-free unless the cleanliness drive is taken seriously in all of them. Meanwhile, Homme said it would be a learning experience for him. Dec 14, 2014
politicos-react-after-vinod-khanna-says-matters-like-ram-temple-should-not-become-poll-issues

Politicos react after Vinod Khanna says matters like Ram Temple should not become poll issues

New Delhi, Dec 13 (ANI): Politicos reacted on Saturday after BJP leader Vinod Khanna said that matters like Ram Temple should not become poll issues. Congress leader Rashid Avi said that the matter is within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and hence BJP leaders should stop commenting on it. JD (U) leader KC Tyagi said that making such statements is unconstitutional. Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vinod Bansal backing Khanna's statement said that people should stop doing politics with ram temple issue. Dec 13, 2014
pm-modi-pays-floral-tribute-to-martyrs-of-2001-parliament-attack

PM Modi pays floral tribute to martyrs of 2001 Parliament attack

New Delhi, Dec 13 (ANI): On the anniversary of 2001 Parliament attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the martyrs who lost their lives during attack. Along with PM Modi, former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and BJP senior leader LK Advani also paid tribute to the martyrs. Earlier in the day, PM Modi had tweeted "We salute martyrs who lost their lives protecting the Temple of our Democracy on this day in 2001. Their sacrifices are etched in our memory". On December 13, 2001, heavily armed terrorists infiltrated the Parliament House and began firing their weapons during the time of Parliament session. Dec 13, 2014
rejuvenation-camp-pampers-45-temple-elephants-in-tamil-nadu

Rejuvenation camp pampers 45 temple elephants in Tamil Nadu

Coimbatore, Dec 13 (ANI): Away from the maddening crowd and back in their natural habitat, a total of 45 temple elephants are being pampered at the 48-day annual rejuvenation camp in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. The elephants will enjoy steady supply of delicious food and mirthful games at the camp organised by the Tamil Nadu government. Around nine million rupees are being spent to pamper the elephants. The camp concludes on January 25. The state government has also earmarked about six-acre lush area along the banks of the river Bhavani in Coimbatore district to be the jumbo spa. Minister of Hindu religious and charitable endowments, Chendur Pandian, said the camp contributes significantly for the rejuvenation of the elephants belonging to temples and mutts. Every year, the forest department of the Tamil Nadu government organises this camp for elephants belonging to temples and mutts. Elephants from neighbouring Puducherry are also attending the camp. Dec 13, 2014
bjp-is-the-only-party-creating-fuss-in-the-name-of-ram-temple-hashim-ansari-on-up-governors-remark

BJP is the only party creating fuss in the name of Ram temple: Hashim Ansari on UP governor's remark

Faizabad, Dec 12 (ANI): Reacting on UP governor Ram Naik's remark on the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, petitioner in the Babri Masjid demolition case Hashim Ansari said that the matter is sub judice and such people should come to court to sort out the issue. Slamming the BJP government, Ansari further said that BJP is the only party which is creating fuss in the country in the name of temple. Dec 12, 2014
up-governors-ram-mandir-remark-sparks-controversy

UP governor's 'Ram Mandir' remark sparks controversy

New Delhi/ Faizabad/ Mumbai, Dec 12 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik sparked a controversy when he said that Ram temple should be built in Ayodhya soon as "it is the wish of Indian citizens." His comments come at a time when outrage is still prevailing over the issue of religious conversions. While the BJP and Shiv Sena defended Naik, other parties slammed the governor and demanded his resignation. Dec 12, 2014
adityanath-says-nothing-wrong-in-calling-taj-mahal-a-part-of-ancient-temple

Adityanath says nothing wrong in calling Taj Mahal a part of ancient temple

Gorakhpur, Dec 11 (ANI): BJP leader Yogi Adityanath on Thursday refused to budge from his statement on Taj Mahal and said that there is nothing wrong in claiming that Taj Mahal was earlier a part of the ancient Tejo Mahalaya temple. He added that if Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan can claim that Taj Mahal belongs to Waqf Board property, then it can be claimed that Taj Mahal was a part of a Shiv Temple. Dec 11, 2014
opposition-slams-bjp-after-yogi-adityanath-claims-taj-mahal-was-built-on-shiv-temple

Opposition slams BJP after Yogi Adityanath claims Taj Mahal was built on Shiv temple

New Delhi, Dec 11 (ANI): Opposition leaders slammed BJP on Thursday after Bharatiya Janata Party MP Yogi Adityanath claimed that Taj Mahal was built on a Shiv temple. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that one who has no knowledge about history should not give such a statement. NCP leader Majid Memon said that such issues should not be given importance. NCP leader Tariq Anwar said that BJP leaders always make statements to spread communalism in the country. JD (U) leader KC Tyagi expressed similar sentiments. Dec 11, 2014
sri-lankan-president-mahinda-rajapaksa-visits-tirumala-venkateswara-temple-in-ap

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa visits Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in AP

Tirupati, Dec 10 (ANI): Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the wee hours on Wednesday offered prayers at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple with his family in the revered Hindu temple town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh amid tight security. Rajapaksa was in the temple for about an hour, participating in the ‘Suprabhatam' recitation ritual conducted by a group of priests inside the temple. Police had made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident, as some of the political parties in neighbouring Tamil Nadu state are hostile to the leader due to ethnic Tamil issues in the island nation. Reportedly, Rajapaksa is visiting the temple on the advice of his astrologers which would help him win the Presidential poll in Sri Lanka scheduled for January 08, 2015. Thereafter, the Sri Lankan president left for airport ending his visit to India. Meanwhile, MDMK supporters staged protest and shouted slogans in Tirupati against Rajapaksa’s visit. Dec 10, 2014
lord-raghunaths-17th-century-idol-worth-crores-stolen-from-kullu-temple

Lord Raghunath's 17th century idol worth crores stolen from Kullu temple

Kullu, Dec 10 (ANI): A 17th century idol of Lord Raghunath, worth crores of rupees was stolen from a temple located on the premises of Kullu Palace in Kullu town's busy Sultanpur locality. It was in wee hours that temple priests Pappu and Hemraj noticed the missing idol and immediately informed Dhanvender Singh, son of Maheshwar Singh-- who is the principal guardian of the deity. The idol made of pure gold, which measured a little more than three inches, was removed from the shrine on the intervening night of December 08 and December 09. Burglars also took away the idols of Lord Ganesha, Hanuman, Narsangh and Salig Ram from the temple along with some silver and gold ornaments. Inspector General of Police, PL Thakur said the thieves had broken the roof to enter the premises. Dec 10, 2014