Dear Mrs. and Mr. Mukesh Ambani

Thursday, May 31, 2007
Dear Mrs. and Mr. Mukesh Ambani
Dears,I will give you some advice even if you dont care. You have got two sons. Be careful so that they dont turn out to be Anil and Mukesh. Dont ever allow wily Amarsingh near them. You tell them tales of Amarsingh along with ghost stories to put the fear of the devil in them. When they growup make them marry sisters from a good family. The sisters usually share a bond and dont spew venom at each other.I know your newest residence will be earthquake proof and Tsunami cannot destroy such a huge structure. Yet beware of the terrorists lurking around and neigbhouring countries' attack. They may be tempted to target the tallest and the most famous structures. And your children carry trillions and beware of kidnappers.The fact is you will always be surrounded by servants more than really normal and equal human beings.A wealthyman's weath is a double edged weapon.You can buy everything now except unconditional love and immortality.We ordinary folks can call it a day and spend our later years pursuing happiness through small but satisfying activities. But for you no such luck. You have to slog day and night to keep your wealth from diminishing and to keep competitors at bay.Actually my heart goes out for you. I feel sorry for you for reasons which you may understand if you relax for a while. For you even relaxation has to be planned.
6:31:18 PM
Posted By vivek aahuja Comments (1) Personals
Comments
K.Venugopal Thursday, May 31, 2007 8:15:42 PM
Though it would seem that Mukesh Ambani would be very capable of taking care of himself and all his possessions, considering the success he has turned his companies out to be, he failed in keeping his brother with him. Even as his children will inherit his wealth, they might also inherit his sibling rivalry. If he had first turned within before handling matters without, this would surely not have happened. Let him at least now turn within and inspire his children so that they won't repeat his mistake. Ditto for Anil Ambani.

The Taj Mahal and the controversy surrounding its origins

Thursday, May 31, 2007
The Taj Mahal and the Controversy Surrounding Its Origins.
The Taj Mahal and the Controversy Surrounding Its Origins.
The Taj's Other Story
If you have ever visited the Taj Mahal then your guide probably told you that it was designed by Ustad Isa of Iran, and built by the Moghul Emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Indian children are taught that it was built in 22 years (1631 to 1653) by 20,000 artisans brought to India from all over the world.
This story has been challenged by Professor P.N. Oak, author of Taj Mahal: The True Story, who believes that the whole world has been duped. He claims that the Taj Mahal is not Queen Mumtaz Mahal's tomb, but an ancient Hindu temple palace of Lord Shiva (then known as Tejo Mahalaya), worshipped by the Rajputs of Agra city.
In the course of his research, Oak discovered that the Shiva temple palace had been usurped by Shah Jahan from then Maharaja of Jaipur, Jai Singh. Shah Jahan then remodelled the palace into his wife's memorial. In his own court chronicle, Badshahnama, Shah Jahan admits that an exceptionally beautiful grand mansion in Agra was taken from Jai Singh for Mumtaz's burial. The ex-Maharaja of Jaipur is said to retain in his secret collection two orders from Shah Jahan for the surrender of the Taj building.
The use of captured temples and mansions as a burial place for dead courtiers and royalty was a common practice among Muslim rulers. For example, Hamayun, Akbar, Etmud-ud-Daula and Safdarjung are all buried in such mansions.
Oak's inquiries begin with the name Taj Mahal. He says this term does not occur in any Moghul court papers or chronicles, even after Shah Jahan's time. The term 'Mahal' has never been used for a building in any of the Muslim countries, from Afghanistan to Algeria.
'The usual explanation that the term Taj Mahal derives from Mumtaz Mahal is illogical in at least two respects. Firstly, her name was never Mumtaz Mahal but Mumtaz-ul-Zamani,' he writes. 'Secondly, one cannot omit the first three letters from a woman's name to derive the remainder as the name for the building.'
Taj Mahal is, he claims, a corrupt version of Tejo-mahalaya, or the Shiva's Palace. Oak also says that the love story of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan is a fairy tale created by court sycophants, blundering historians and sloppy archaeologists. Not a single royal chronicle of Shah Jahan's time corroborates the love story.
Furthermore, Oak cites several documents suggesting that the Taj Mahal predates Shah Jahan's era:
Professor Marvin Miller of New York took samples from the riverside doorway of the Taj. Carbon dating tests revealed that the door was 300 years older than Shah Jahan.
European traveller Johan Albert Mandelslo, who visited Agra in 1638 (only seven years after Mumtaz's death), describes the life of the city in his memoirs, but makes no reference to the Taj Mahal being built.
The writings of Peter Mundy, an English visitor to Agra within a year of Mumtaz's death, also suggest that the Taj was a noteworthy building long well before Shah Jahan's time.
Oak also points out a number of design and architectural inconsistencies that support the belief that the Taj Mahal is a typical Hindu temple rather than a mausoleum.
Many rooms in the Taj Mahal have remained sealed since Shah Jahan's time, and are still inaccessible to the public. Oak asserts they contain a headless statue of Shiva and other objects commonly used for worship rituals in Hindu temples.
Fearing political backlash, Indira Gandhi's government tried to have Oak's book withdrawn from the bookstores, and threatened the Indian publisher of the first edition with dire consequences.
The only way to really validate or discredit Oak's research is to open the sealed rooms of the Taj Mahal, and allow international experts to investigate.
3:52:20 PM
Posted By Prashant Kotian Comments (2) News
Comments
Irshad4u Thursday, May 31, 2007 4:13:08 PM
common on now dig the TajMahal also and construct one more Temple, this what you want, i think so --- then go on
K.Venugopal Thursday, May 31, 2007 6:04:35 PM
Dear Irshad, Aren't the Muslims attempting to convert the Taj Mahal to a mosque - what with the Wakf Board claiming it?

Testimony of Asiya Abd al-Zahir

Thursday, May 31, 2007
Testimony of Asiya Abd al-Zahir
http://www.usislam.org/converts/asiya.htm
I have always, since developing an ability to think deeply, believed in the existence of a single Creator, on whom everything that exists is dependent. Though my parents are Buddhist, from the age of 13, to this Creator, I have steadfastly prayed and yielded guidance from every day that I can remember. Yet, being schooled within a Christian environment, I naturally identified myself as a Christian.
Sadly, my knowledge of Islam was minimal. I perceived it as a bizarre religion, limited to only a few underdeveloped nations, most of which were in the Middle East, and which endorsed an astoundingly suppressive lifestyle, particularly for women. Muslim women, I presumed, were considered inferior - a passive domestic slave, bashed often and forced to compete among four for her husband's affections, which he could withhold from them all if he wanted to. The majority of these ideas I developed from hearsay, interactions with others I assumed knew what they were talking about and a few documentaries on Iran and Saudi Arabia I watched on television.Sadly, my knowledge of Islam was minimal. I perceived it as a bizarre religion, limited to only a few underdeveloped nations, most of which were in the Middle East, and which endorsed an astoundingly suppressive lifestyle, particularly for women. Muslim women, I presumed, were considered inferior - a passive domestic slave, bashed often and forced to compete among four for her husband's affections, which he could withhold from them all if he wanted to. The majority of these ideas I developed from hearsay, interactions with others I assumed knew what they were talking about and a few documentaries on Iran and Saudi Arabia I watched on television.
As I entered university nearly three years ago, I came into contact with quite a number of Muslim students from various backgrounds. Strangely enough, even to myself, I was drawn to them and developed a curious inclination to learn and understand more about their religion. I observed how content they seemed and was very impressed by their openness and warmth towards myself and each other, but more importantly with their pride in belonging to a religion which holds many negative connotations.
I gradually became fascinated with Islam, and through a process of education, developed a greater respect for it than even my beloved Christianity. I was stunned at how wrong my previous conception had been and became particularly overwhelmed at the tremendous entitlements, equality and acknowledgment Islam provided for women. I realized the reality of the Islamic lifestyle and the truth concerning that feeble American innovation termed "Islamic fundamentalism". Is it said that any person who possesses the faulty of reason and an open mind should recognize logic and truth when he/she encounters it, and so it was in my case.
More and more, literature, signs and evidence were revealed to me, and more and more, my intellect was stimulated and my heart, warmed. I wanted to know everything about Islam and felt already a sense of brotherhood with and belonging among its followers.
What impressed me the most was how practical Islam is - how it encompasses a rule and a lesson for almost every facet of living. And by the sheer grace of God, I at last understood the faults of Christian theology and of the concepts I had previously accepted unquestioningly.
At midday, on August 4th, 1994, before over 20 witnesses, I recited the shahadah and became an official Muslim.
I shall never forget the bliss of that day and how much my life has turned around in only a year's time.
I have often been asked what it is like to be a revert and of the difficulties I must endure. Though I do not wish to dwell on this topic, as pity is not my priority, I shall give some examples of what I have been through.
The period up till the end of Ramadhan was, by far, the hardest to get through. Family disputes took place almost daily; I was showered with verbal abuse, ridicule and threats. On many occasions, my room was physically torn apart, books mysteriously disappeared and slanderous phone messages were sent to my friends and their parents.
There have been times I have been locked out of home and forced to abstain from dinner as pork was deliberately served. Even to this day, all my mail is opened before I have the chance to do so myself. Apart from my housing and meals, I must provide for myself financially. My readings, as my conversations over the phone are done in privacy. My writings and my visits to mosques or other Islamic venues must always be concealed. I am similarly not able to visit friends very often as I may be "brain-washed" even more.
I cannot perform my prayers until I am sure no one is around. Nor can I express my excitement and celebration during Ramadhan. I cannot share the joy at knowing yet another sister has put on Hijab, nor can I discuss the lesson I have learned this day or the speech given by an Islamic scholar/scientist. Moreover, I must continually defend the Muslims and the Islam portrayed on the media, and fight against the stereotypes my parents stubbornly maintain. To see their expressions of disgust at myself is almost unbearable. I am now insecure as to my parents affections and constantly worry of how much I am hurting them. Through the entire month of Ramadhan, my mother spoke to me not once. I had to hear her say time and time again at how I had betrayed the family. My pleading with her otherwise was to no avail. I am told over and over again that what I have done is unforgivable and if any of our relations or already few friends knew, my parents would surely be outcasts.
However, I do not claim to have a miserable life. I am more content and at peace now than I ever have been. My purpose in relating all of this is to try to display the opportunities that many of you have which are so often taken for granted, so little taken advantage of, but so precious to many reverts like myself.
To reflect on these hardships alone would imply I have gained nothing by becoming a Muslim other than pain. On the contrary, Islam has given me already so many vast rewards, I shiver to think of how much more wonderful the gifts of Paradise would be.
At the time of my reversion, although I had accepted Islam as being true, I had no idea of the vast internal changes it would incur upon me. Even I am astounded at how much I devour knowledge, how Islam is in my thoughts every waking moment, how compelling I feel my responsibility is to the Ummah and how much more of a Muslim I became every month.
It is as if as one's life in Islam progresses, it spreads to encompass and govern every cellular and spiritual dimension in oneself.
Abu Huraira (r.a.a.) narrated that: Allah's Messenger (s.a.w) once said: "Allah said: '... and My slave keeps coming closer to Me... then I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grasps, and his legs with which he walks...' "[Sahih Al-Bukhari]. This is precisely my experience.
Remarkably, from one religion, I have gained a profound insight into the operations of human behavior and sociology, as well as geophysics and astronomy. As I mature, it becomes clearer and clearer to me that again and again, it is Islam that has already answered the social and economic dilemmas of our time.
Over the past year, I have developed quite an extensive breadth of Islamic knowledge and have studied ayats of the Holy Qur'an in much finer detail. Not once have I come across anything which would make me doubt the authenticity of the Qur'an and the relevance of Islam for contemporary society, for even one minute. This has been the only religion I have ever been completely sure of and am more sure of each day that I serve. Furthermore, I have established my identity, I am more confident of myself; a stronger woman and person of color, I am more aware of my existence and more secure in my battles.
If I have achieved anything through this article, my hope is that it is that I have depicted the greatness and mercy of our Glorious Sovereign, who makes all things possible. Allah (s.w.t.) says: "He guides there with whom He pleases" [S.393, V.23]. Truly, I have been blessed to be one of those who have personally received the light and whose heart has been ordained to accept it.
4:14:18 PM
Posted By Mohammed Irshad Hussain Comments (1) Society
Comments
K.Venugopal Thursday, May 31, 2007 5:17:34 PM
Such verses as "He guides there with whom He pleases" in the Quran proves that Allah is partial by nature. How can His creatures, whom He claims to have created, have any choice in how they are except as He created them. Being so, how can He be pleased with some creatures and not others? However, if He had given man freedom to act as he wants and then judges him on His standards, surely He is a sadist, guiding some and not others, when, surely, it is those who are on the path of error who need guidance? Whoever God is, He is surely not of the character as depicted in the Quran.

Reply to infiDULL

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Reply to infiDULL
(51:50) So flee unto Allah: I am an open warner from Him to you
(51:51) And do not set up another god with God; I am on open warner from Him to you
" Though these sentences are the Word of Allah, the speaker here is not AIIah but the Holy Messenger of Allah. In fact, Allah has made his Messenger say: "Flee unto Allah: I am warning you from Him." An instance of this style is found in the very first Surah of the Qur'an, Surah AI-Fatihah, where the Word is of Allah, but the speakers are the servants, who say: Iyyaka na `budu wa lyyaka nasta 'in; ihdi-nas sirat al-mustaqim: "Thee alone we worship and to Thee alone we pray for help. Show us the Straight Way." Just as there it has not been said: "O believers, pray to your Lord thus," but the context itself shows that it is a supplication which Allah is teaching His servants, so here also it has not been said; "O Prophet, say to these people,".but the context itself indicates that it is an invitation to the Oneness of God, which the Holy Prophet is presenting according to Allah's command. Besides Surah Al-Fatihah, there are several other instances also of this style in the Qur'an, where though the Word is of Allah, the speakers somewhere are the angels and somewhere the Holy Prophet, and the context shows as through whom AIlah is speaking at that particular place. For instance, see Surah Maryam: 64-65, As-Saaffat :159-167, Ash-Shu`ara': 10. "
Grow up infiDULL and accept the truth(ISlam) as other millions are accepting it
watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKb9-XZGoPIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKb9-XZGoPI
8:35:24 PM
Posted By rizwan khan Comments (3) Society
Comments
lunarx Wednesday, May 30, 2007 8:39:41 PM
QURAN 51:50 Pickthal:?Therefor flee unto Allah; lo! I am a plain warner unto you from him.xxxx its crystal clear muhammad sayin, flee unto allah, .... allah sud be sayin.." flee unto ME, muhammad is a plain warner unto u from ME/ALLAH"............ ALLAH SAYIN , FLEE UNTO ALLAH? ? pmsl
lunarx Wednesday, May 30, 2007 8:40:07 PM
QURAN 51:50 Pickthal:?Therefor flee unto Allah; lo! I am aplain warner unto you from him.xxxx its crystal clear muhammad sayin, flee unto allah, .... allah sud be sayin.." flee unto ME, muhammad is a plain warner unto u from ME/ALLAH"............ ALLAH SAYIN , FLEE UNTO ALLAH? ? pmsl
K.Venugopal Thursday, May 31, 2007 10:22:15 AM
In the Bhagwad Gita, Krishna says, "Transcending all Dharma, take refuge in Me." He did not need Arjuna to say it for Him. Contrast this with Allah needing Mohammad to say the almost (but not quite) same thing.The point is, if Allah can talk as Mohammad, couldn’t Mohammad have spoken as Allah?

Muhammad an illiterate??

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Muhammad an illiterate ??
For centuries Muslims been foolin themselves by believin Muhammad was an illitrate , hence he cudnt have Authored Quran, nor could have read JEWISH/CHRISTIAN'S doctrine and forged Quran ! wel, here a bukhari hadith which suggest that muhammad did write supplements for his followers. xxx SAHIH BHUKHARI Volume 4, Book 53, Number 393: Narrated Said bin Jubair: that he heard Ibn 'Abbas saying,"Thursday! And you know not what Thursday is? After that Ibn'Abbas wept till the stones on the ground were soaked with his tears.On that I asked Ibn 'Abbas, "What is (about) Thursday?" He said,"When the condition (i.e. health) of Allah's Apostle deteriorated, he said, ' "BRING ME A BONE OF SCAPULA, SO THAT I MAY WRITE SOMETHING FOR YOU AFTER WHICH YOU WILL NEVER GO ASTRAY " ..........Then the Prophet ordered them to do three things saying,'Turn out all the pagans from the Arabian Peninsula, show respect to all foreign delegates by giving them gifts as I used to do.' " The sub-narrator added, "The third order was something beneficial which either Ibn 'Abbas did not mention or he mentioned but I forgot.' xxx btw, this sahih hadith also explains muhammad's hate for pagans, and islam's intolerance !!! http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/053.sbt.html
1:11:14 PM
Posted By rangell lunar Comments (1) Politics
Comments
K.Venugopal Wednesday, May 30, 2007 2:20:22 PM
In the milieu of freedom to research and report provided by the internet, the skeletons are tumbling out of Islam's closet. The Muslims owe the world an explanation for such contradictions in what they say is the only valid religion of God.

Proof that Quran is from MO

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Proof that Quran is from MO
This small blog is especially for muslim bloggers like ajmal, irshad, muneer, human, Learner, believer, rumple, The truth and many more.
Here is another proof that crap quran is from pedo MO:Sura 51 Verses 50-51: "I am from him a warner to you, clear and open"Please clarify who is "I", "HIM" and "YOU" in these verses.If allah wrote quran, then he must be "I" but MO claimed that he is the warner. It is very clear from these verses that while revealing, pedo MO forgot to address them from allah and said CLEAR AND OPEN that "I (MO) am a warner from HIM (ALLAH) to YOU (HIS BLIND FOLLOWERS)".
Need any more proofs that crap quran is pedo MO's word and not true god's.
Hope these verses will help many more muslim and non muslim brothers to conclude that Islam is not truth but only falsehood.
5:54:24 AM
Posted By Infidel M Comments (3) Musings
Comments
ayazalladin Wednesday, May 30, 2007 7:08:10 AM
I wish to only say that whoever has put up this has absolutely no knowledge of Islam and is nothing but short of manners and this clear from what their parents have raised them in.
K.Venugopal Wednesday, May 30, 2007 11:47:59 AM
Respected Infidel, I think Marmaduke Pickthall, probably the greatest translator of the Quran into English, also had his doubts as to the speaker of the verse. In his footnote he has commented, "The revealing angel, it would appear", as to the identity of the "I" in verse 50 of Surah 51, which reads "50. Therefor flee unto Allah; lo! I am a plain warner unto you from Him." If it was the revealing angel, then it is clear that Quran was co-authored by this angel.

The real and the illusion

Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The real and the illusion.
Majority of us are more worried about the happenings outside in the world than what happens inside us. No body seems to bother even a little about their inner realm which is real and which is the centre of all activities. I am not talking about our physical heart but about our own SELF which is common to entire Cosmos. In fact there is not even an iota of difference of our perceived SELF and the real SELF which pervades the Universe and Cosmos. Our Self is simply a witness of all activities. Because of the self, all the manifold activities in the world takes place. But it does nothing. It simply shines like sun above. Well why should we bother about 'SELF' which is a mute witness? What am I going to gain by bothering about the Self? These are the logical questions everybody will ask. First reason: The outer world is unreal and is simply a reflection of our inner self on the Conscious of the individual. We can consider as the conscious as a mirror which reflects the Self. The great illusion is what we perceive with the outer senses and mind. Instead of looking at the Self, we look at the creations of the senses and mind which is totally false. Second point: There is nothing other than the Self exists. It is the only reality. The seeming cosmos etc are projection of part of the self, which is seen as real. Let us analyse the Truth. Nothing in this world remains permanant for ever. Even great empires of the past have perished and we have only historic and archeological evidence about the same. For example Roman empire, Greek empire etc. With the passage of time we notice that the surface of earth is covered by water and future generation will witness only water. For instance in India, a great city named 'Dwaraka' perished under sea. Now archeologists are struggling to re live the era by researching on the artefacts from the sea bed. Hence we consider the unreal as real and completely forget about our own reality. Sairam, Saipriya.
5:39:36 PM
Posted By Nagarajan Sambasivan Comments (4) Society

Comments
SChakradhari Tuesday, May 29, 2007 5:52:31 PM
Sheer crap. What we see with our eyes could be nothing but reality. It is the dirty mind which first propounded that all that we see around - the physical world, the mountains, rivers, land, forests are all illusions, because it didn't have the potency to do anything constructive. It is the recluses who run away from basic societal and family responsibilities who invented such wrong, unsubstantiated, fanciful, untenable arguments or theories. Forget them, get going with vigour and sincere efforts in the real world that you see around you, make efforts to elevate your character, practise positive and constructive thinking and become a useful member of the society and humanity. Lest you will regret seriously later in your autumn days.

K.Venugopal Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:27:54 PM
Dear Sambasivan, You have written well on a vital topic. It is all in the mind. Seeking to enjoy the world through our senses without it being under the control of a calm mind would only force us to travel away from ourselves on a restless material journey of diminishing returns. We need to return to ourselves, calm our mind and see the world anew. We would then see the world as a reflection of the perfection within and life would be an unending celebration.

K.Venugopal Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:48:11 PM
Dear Chakradhariji, It is not the physical world but our perception of it through our restless mind that is an illusion.

K.Venugopal Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:59:37 PM
A life of desire and fear lived with our restless mind (weak, fragmented mind torn apart by the distractions of the world) make life a burden, where life ought to be a celebration.

Truth is Supreme in the world and common to all.

Sunday, May 27, 2007
Truth is Supreme in the World and common to all.
It is really a wonder that people repose their faith in this mundane world. Change is the only changeless thing in this world. Every moment we witness change throughout the world. Our emotions undergo changes throughout the day. We are not able to keep our comfixure steady. Our interactions with the people around makes us more confused and confounded. Then where should we repose our faith. We should have faith in a changeless thing only. Every body will agree that Truth alone is changeless in the world, either in the past, present or future. Throughout the world, Truth is one. There are no seperate truths like American truth, Russian Truth or Indian Truth etc. Truth is Truth. In fact in Truth the cosmos exist, In truth the cosmos merge. Hence God is termed as Truth and Truth is termed as God. Remain True to your Self. That is the axiom. Sairam, Saipriya.
8:38:51 PM
Posted By Nagarajan Sambasivan Comments (1) Society
Comments
K.Venugopal Monday, May 28, 2007 9:55:05 AM
You say change is the only changeless thing. You also say we should have faith in a changeless thing only. Therefore when you say that Truth alone is changeless, aren't you also meaning that change is also Truth? I think this is as it should be.

Are atrocities on Dalits a result of failed policies?

Friday, May 25, 2007
Are atrocities on Dalits a result of failed policies?
Are atrocities on Dalits a result of failed policies?
9:25:17 PM
Posted By RAJAYE_HIND PRASHER Comments (1) News
Comments
K.Venugopal Friday, May 25, 2007 10:06:27 PM
Yes. Atrocities on not just Dalits, but any section of society or individuals, should be dealt with absolutely no leniency by the state. Such perpetrators should be hanged forthwith.

Should religious practices be above civil law?

Friday, May 25, 2007
Should religious practices be above civil law?
Should religious practices be above civil law?
9:29:59 PM
Posted By RAJAYE_HIND PRASHER Comments (1) News
Comments
K.Venugopal Friday, May 25, 2007 10:01:18 PM
No, provided the civil law is liberal.

SC for political settlement of Dera row

SC for political settlement of Dera row

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NDTV Correspondent
Thursday, May 24, 2007 ()
The Supreme Court on Friday indicated the row between the Sikhs and the Dera Sacha Sauda sect should be resolved politically. The Dera sect appealed for protection after the highest Sikh body - the Akal Takht said - the sect's facilities in Punjab should be shut down by Sunday. It sought protection of life and properties of the sect across the country. The Dera sect moved the Supreme Court to restrain Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and the SGPC from making statements against it. In its petition it said Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal openly instigated the Sikhs against it.The court will take up the matter on June 4.The row began on May 14 when the leader of the Dera sect appeared in newspaper photographs dressed like Guru Gobind Singh - which offended the Sikhs. Separately sources say the Dera may finally have decided to apologise just before the Akal Takht's deadline to shut down its facilities.According to sources, Swami Agnivesh, who is mediating between the Dera and SGPC, has received a six-line apology letter from the Dera chief.Sources say the Dera will come up with a final text for the apology, which will be forwarded to the Akal Takht.''Talks are on and we are hopeful that the matter will be sorted in a way where both parties will be happy,'' Swami Agnivesh, the leader of the Arya Samaj said.Dera denialBut the Dera spokesman has denied media reports that they have decided to offer an apology to the Akal Takht.''A section of the media has been going with the information that we don't vouch for. The Ashram has nothing to do with such facts that are misleading,'' a spokesperson for the Dera Sacha Sauda said.''Our representatives are still talking to come up with a viable conclusion. I think we should not pay heed to false media reports.Emergency meetingEarlier, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal chaired an emergency meeting of the Akali Dal MLAs and MPs on Thursday.Badal, who discussed the standoff with the Dera Sacha Sauda, has assured the sect full protection.The Chief Minister has said that nobody will be allowed to harm the Deras and peace will be maintained at all costs in the state.

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Latest Comments
The Sikhs are flexing their muscles on a non-issue. Someone dressing up like Guru Gobind Singh should only flatter the Sikhs, for is not imitation the best form of flattery? It would also do well for the Sikhs to remember that while they may be a majority in Punjab, they are a minority in all the other states of India. Any violence in the name of religion in Punjab may backfire all over India, particularly as the Dera is being instigated by Congress and Congress has the track-record of the notorious anti-Sikh riots of Delhi. Let the Sikhs show the Hindu spirit of acceptance of other religious viewpoints and not reflect the Muslim spirit of intolerance.
Posted by K.Venugopal at 14:7 on May 25, 2007
The Sikh- Dera crisis is ssems to blown out of control. The issue was serious but could have been resolved ammicably and it was for Dera to come forwad. Copying the style and methods and drawing parralel of a particular sect was not proper on their part. Issue was further compounded with Sikhs taking a hard stand. The issue may be resolved in a Court of Law or politically, but the situation warrants for early and amicable solution and to save Punjab from any turmoil.
Posted by Mahendra Kothari at 13:52 on May 25, 2007
It is quite an irony that this dera is appealing to SC for intervention, but shows reluctance to issue an apology to people of sikhs in punjab. SC should immediately put him behind bars for serious offence of murder and rapes organised within dera. No govt has initiated any inquiry regarding the undisclosed sum of money this dera receives. If most of its followers belong with backward communities then how come the dera has a sprawling business in punjab. Where is this money coming from ? I am sure his only sauda is with congress which is trying hard to disrupt peace in punjab
Posted by bhupinder at 13:38 on May 25, 2007
SC is right. for the matter is political but given a religious colour by Akalis for political benefits.
Posted by balvinder at 13:14 on May 25, 2007
while it is understandable that ram rahim etc has realised,after seeing the writing on the wall, that the only way to continue his business is to tender some kind of apology,i do not understand what compulsions impelled punjab cm to declare that deras will be protected,especially when the dera people killed one sikh and continued to indulge in naked dance of violence for two days.where was punjab cm and his govt?is punjab cm scared of more skeletons in the cupboard to be telecast?i,at least,cant make out whether he is a sikh or a politician,or a premi.whatever he may claim to be,he is not what he claims to be.thank god he does not claim to be a premi or a politician,in this case.
Posted by harinder singh khalsa at 23:8 on May 24, 2007

Know to rise - 2

Friday, May 25, 2007
Know to rise - 2
In Tamil, there is a saying, "Kallai kandaal naayai kaanom, naayai kandaal kallai kaanom". People interpret this saying to mean, "when we see a stone, there is no dog around (which we could have beaten with the stone) and when we see a dog, there is no stone to be found anywhere near (to beat the dog with)."
This is a patent misunderstanding. The true significance of the saying is like this: A sculptor carves the image of a dog on a stone. People come and see it. Those who see only the stone are unable to see the dog, i.e. the creative and artistic work of the sculptor. And those who see the dog, i.e. who understand art and appreciate its creator, do not just see the stone as a stone but as a medium which manifests the creativity of the artist.
There are many such usages, idioms, phrases of yore which over centuries have been misunderstood and thereby distorted the wisdom and progress of humanity. Let us rectify this and move forward to liberate ourselves and future generations from the bondage of ignorance.
11:47:59 AM
Posted By Listen to Me Comments (1) Musings
Comments
K.Venugopal Friday, May 25, 2007 5:21:26 PM
In this particular quotation, we can interpret it to mean both, as convenient. So the question arises, is there a fixed meaning to any saying? Nay, do words have fixed meaning? Don't they vary according to contexts?

Know to rise - 3

Friday, May 25, 2007
Know to rise - 3
A Tamil poet by name Namakkal Kavignar (Ramalingam Pillai) used to travel widely. Once when he was travelling, he stopped in a village and asked for a glass of water to quench his thirst. When he received the glass, he found some dirt particles floating in the water and refused to drink it. The host pointed out to the poet that as per an old Tamil saying, one can insult even one's own mother, but should never insult water. (Thayai pazhithalum thanneerai pazhikkathey!) The host said to the poet to take the water and not insult by rejecting it.
The poet became thoughtful. He thought that Tamilians' civilization dates back to several hundred years. Drinking contaminated water is a health hazard. He could not believe that ancient Tamilians could have believed in a saying like this one.
He thought about this for several days and then it struck him that there must have been a corruption or mutilation in the saying when it passed from person to person and generation to generation. He concluded that the original saying must have been "thaayai pizhaithalum thanneerai pizhaikkathey!" - meaning, even if you do something wrong to your mother, don't do anything wrong to water. This appeared to the poet to be more sensible. In a fit of anger or ingnorance, some one can scold his mother, she may excuse him. But even unknowingly if a person spoils or contaminates water, he is creating a health hazard to himself and his immediate neighbourhood.
There are, as I have been saying and have started posting on blogspace, many such olden sayings misunderstood and misinterpreted. Let us rectify these misunderstandings and march forward to the light of knowledge, awareness for our own good!
11:57:38 AM
Posted By Listen to Me Comments (1) Musings
Comments
K.Venugopal Friday, May 25, 2007 5:09:42 PM
Your example is simply great. We have indeed to think deeply whether all handed down knowledge has been handed down properly or even if they are relevant to the present times. We should stretch the bed to fit our body and not cut our body to fit the bed!

Are Hindu temples perpetuating a new form of untouchability?

Friday, May 25, 2007
Are Hindu temples perpetuating a new form of untouchability?
Priests at the Guruvayur Temple have just conducted a mahapunhyam ritual to “purify” the temple after the family of minister for overseas development Vayalar Ravi conducted a ceremony. Their “crime”: Although Ravi is a Hindu, his daughter-in-law is a Christian and the temple’s rules do not permit the entry of non-Hindus in the august presence of Guruvayurappan.
Just a couple of months ago, the Jagannath temple in Puri threw away food cooked for 7,000 people after the priests insisted that the temple had been “defiled” by the entry of an American tourist. The case of the singer K.J. Yesudas being denied entry because of his religion is more than two decades old. More recently there was the brouhaha over the entry of Kannada actress Jayamala to Sabarimala.
And, of course, there are thousands of cases of Dalits being denied entry because of their caste.
Questions: Do such rites really “purify” our temples? Are temples within their rights to conduct such “purification” rituals? Or, in barring people on the lines of caste, religion and gender, are they perpetuating a new form of untouchability? Should these rigid, regressive man-made rules be junked? Or is this, as usual, yet another secular/ pseudo-secular assault on Hindu customs and traditions, while ignoring mosques and churches which reserve the right of entry?Churumuri Poll: Should Yesudas be allowed into Guruvayur Temple?
1:51:21 PM
Posted By churumuri dotcom Comments (4) News
Comments
jayaraj babu shetty Friday, May 25, 2007 2:51:11 PM
No. Mr Yesudas by birth & practising christianity. Non parsis not allowed to enter fire temple,simmilarly Hindu by birth only should allowed hindu temple.why should non follower and other relegion people wanted enter enter hindu temple?.
bhagwati Friday, May 25, 2007 3:01:28 PM
you have taken up very good question. once it happened with me. we have been " safe motherhood "cycle rally from bhuvneswar to calcutta on cycle. one couple from switzerland had joined this cycle rally. as we were entering PURI temple, that couple were not allowed to enter and i felt very emberessing. they had come all the way to participate for our cause. in one temple , pujari dragged me in GARBHADWAR pushing my friend outside and than he demanded money which i refused to give than he pushed me to floor. actually these pujaries should be purified. they are giving bad name to our religion.
Gopakumar N Friday, May 25, 2007 3:50:50 PM
I am against keeping away true believer of the GOD from Hindu temples. I think Yesudas should be permitted to any temple in Kerala. But temples should not become a place for sight seeing. We should not allow a foreigner entering temple just to see the temple.
K.Venugopal Friday, May 25, 2007 4:49:40 PM
Everyone should be allowed entry into all temples. However, this should not lead to a homogenization of all temples. Every temple has its unique architecture, traditions, customs and rituals. These should be perpetuated, including purificatory rites. Only such purificatory rites should be a consequence of erroneous action rather than entry of people of particular religions or castes. When a person enters a temple, he ought to enter it in the spirit of imbibing what the temple has to offer rather than vitiating the temple by, for example, performing namaaz inside the temple. If a Muslim feels like doing so, he should resist himself in deference to the temple traditions and instead seek to build a temple where the performance of namaaz is allowed. In short, universal entry into temples should not signal uprooting of temples.

Should Yesudas be let into Guruvayur Temple

churumuri
swalpa sihi, swalpa spicy
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Should Yesudas be let into Guruvayur Temple?
Nearly three decades ago, K.J. Yesudas was stopped at the gates of the Sree Krishna Temple in Guruvayur, Kerala. His religion (Christianity) was held him, and the classical and cinema singer was barred from performing in the precincts of the Hindu lord. However, Yesudas’ guru Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar was let in. But seeing his disciple’s plight, the Guru led Yesudas to an impromptu, all-night concert in praise of Lord Krishna outside the temple.
The reverberations of that incident continue to be felt to this today. The Kerala Minister for Cooperation and Devaswom G. Sudhakaran has urged the Guruvayur Devaswom Temple Board to allow Yesudas into the famous temple to “set right a wrong”. But the Nair Service Society has opposed the proposal saying the move would create an unnecessary controversy as everyone knew that the temple did not allow non-Hindus inside.
“Coming from a person who represents a party (CPM) which doesn’t believe in God, the minister’s initiative amounts to an infringement on Hinduism,” Nair Service Society general secretary P.K. Narayana Panikker has said. “Why does every one want to teach secularism to Hindus alone? Why don’t they make similar interventions in other religions?”
For his part, Yesudas says he doesn’t want to be allowed into the temple alone. “Places of religious worship, be it a temple, a mosque or a church should be thrown open to all,” he says.
What do you think? Does it make sense to keep Yesudas out because of his religion in this day and age? If Yesudas can perform unfettered in the Kollur Mookambika Temple, why should only the Guruvayur Temple bar his entry? If Sonia Gandhi can be grandly welcomed at many of our big Hindu temples, including Tirupati, why can’t Yesudas?
Is man giving god a bad name? And what the Hell, let’s ask it—is Lord Krishna reserving a special place in Heaven for all those who divide his devotees?
This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 18th, 2007 at 9:32 am and is filed under Films, Television, Issues and Ideas. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
58 Responses to “Should Yesudas be let into Guruvayur Temple?”
Mohan Says: April 18th, 2007 at 10:09 am
“Is man giving god a bad name?”
Well, he has every right. Where would god be if man hadn’t created him in the first place? :-)
clash Says: April 18th, 2007 at 10:19 am
The left front goverment in kerala is trying to masquerade a bitter factional infighting going on in their party by pulling these kind of innocuous issues. Even the Devasom Board which controlls the guruvayoor temple is littered with these communist trolls. They are trying to divert the attentions of masses from real problems which kerala is facing. Now, with over 6 news channels littering the breadth and with of kerala, it is very easy to kick up an issue like this.
Rama Says: April 18th, 2007 at 11:11 am
At least Left is Right this time. and only the left can dare talk about it. There are other Krishna temples in Kerala, India. But nowhere is it mandatory for ‘Mundu and removing shirts’. The local rulers of past may be responsible for these temple-wise customs. and it’s not always Left, remember last time it was this Kannada (actor) bitch who bitched about Sabarimala.
vijay Says: April 18th, 2007 at 11:18 am
i am a devotee of lord guruvayurappan and also a big fan of yesudas. i think it would be very nice if they allow yesudas into the guruvayur temple.
however, it need not be a “must do” kind of thing. i think guruvayuppan will be with yesudas wherever and whenever he sings. yesudas is not just another devotee. he and his music should is really pious and should be worshipped.
as long as they (the politicians) do not pollute either the temple or his music, and mind their own business, everything will be good.
Hanuman Says: April 18th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
“If Sonia Gandhi can be grandly welcomed at many of our big Hindu temples, including Tirupati, why can’t Yesudas?”
I agree. Yesudas is any day a superior human being in terms of his music talent and sheer devotion than Sonia Ghandi (not Gandhi I should emphasise)who is a mere politician. I am not surprised at the hypocrisy of temple authorities. We should be reminded about Kanakadasa and the Udipi Krisna temple here.
I am a devotee of Guruyoorappan and I have no doubt that Yesudas will observe the sanctity of the temple, and it is time that he was allowed and so that he can sing in front of the Lord.
H.R.Bapu Satyanarayana Says: April 18th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
He should be admitted
GOD Says: April 18th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I never said other religion people should not be allowed entry to my temples. All are welcome.
V Rao Says: April 18th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
The temple authorities must reform age-old traditions which do not have much significance in this present day. Such petty prejudices reflect badly not just on the temple but on the whole Hindu society. Caste or religion should not be an excuse to debar one from entering a temple.
emailxyz Says: April 18th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
While it is true that politicans tend to preach only to Hindus about secularism, we should ourselves reform our religion. Why should we deny entry to any person who has faith in god ? Not just Yesudas, anybody who wishes to worship Lord Guruvavyurappan must be allowed entry into the temple.
lib-fem Says: April 18th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
There is not a single temple which has not played his music, there is no single household that does not like his voice…and there is no single God he hasn’t worshipped with his divine voice.He and his music should be let inside the premises of the temple.
Check for more: http://march14th.wordpress.com/2007/04/18/krishna-guruvayoorappa/
rustyvagabond Says: April 18th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Everyone should be allowed to pray wherever they want to pray. That is true secularism.
Dheerendragopal Says: April 18th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Let that guy inside temple. Grow up Nairs .Are you guys stone age people ?
Devru vara Kottru Poojary vara kodlilla…
In manthralaya ( Raghavendra swamy sannidhi) ..people wearing janavara ( Thread - Cross Belt) are served food in a separate dining hall than the people not having a thread .I just dont understand these people .
BT Says: April 18th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I’m just curios. How do the temple authorities check/verify the caste?
Dheerendragopal Says: April 18th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Most of these temples would ask devotees to not to wear upper garment .They would then identify if you are having cross belt ( thread ) .If you are having one you belong to one class rest to other .
Dheerendragopal Says: April 18th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
A small correction …this only applies to men folk .
Reg women ..I am not sure how they distinguish the caste.
Himanshu Says: April 18th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
All the major temples in Karnataka do this.HoranaDu,DharmasthaLa,Udupi, etc.
They have separate dining for people wearing the thread.
You can buy the thread at the grandhiGe shop outside the temple for a few rupees and enjoy an “exclusive” company. But I have’t found a difference in the menu or taste.
priya Says: April 18th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Did Bruhaspati and Vayu who believed to have installed the main idol AT GURUVAYUR spoke of such discrimination or Vishwakarma, the divine architect, who built the temple?On what grounds do the temple authorities say NO to devotees when the God himself hasn’t said anything on such issue?
priya Says: April 18th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
What if a married couple of different religion who have embarrassed each other’s religion want to visit the temple? Can they ever go the temple together?
If the temple boycotts people of other religion for the reason that they are non-vegetarians, it should stop doing so. Because how many of those who go temple are pure vegetarians?
If the temple puts the sign ‘No Entry’ to the people of other religion because they believe in the other as their saviour, it should re-consider its restrictions. Because I bet there are many who have deep faith in Lord Krishna but still go to church. And there are people who go to church regularly but still go to Buddhist temple.
Did Bruhaspati and Vayu who believed to have installed the main idol at Guruvayur spoke of such discrimination or Vishwakarma, the divine architect, who built the temple?On what grounds do the temple authorities say NO to devotees when the God himself hasn’t said anything on such issue?
Where are we? Why are we the way we are? Have we ever tried to understand what Sanatana Dharma is?
Doddi Buddi Says: April 19th, 2007 at 12:19 am
Dear All,
It is silly that these Nayars are objecting to Jesudas entering the temple. What’s the big deal any way?
DG at the risk of lashings from SK Smita…I would like to say the bustier women are deemed to be from the so-called ‘lower classes’ and as you know the Kerala ladies wear their sarees in a very attractive way with full frontal visuals! :)KB
Vishwas M Says: April 19th, 2007 at 12:43 am
I believe there should be 27% reservation for others to enter into the temple. When we can have reservations in IITs and IIMs why can’t we have it here? Are we providing justice to all? or Are we partial even in providing reservations? Forget Sonia Gandhi / Yesudas entering the temple.
I am desperate to ask this question to our HRD Ministry of India..
Gaampa Says: April 19th, 2007 at 5:46 am
I dont think even Sonia would be allowed inside Guruvayoor. Well. Pray where you are. Its all the same. However, interestingly, Tirumala Tirupathy Devasthanams (TTD) require while looking foreigners to sign a paper saying they are entering temple with full belief on Balaji. Somewhat okay.ALso, I visited Vatican about three times. I did not find any distasteful comments, looks or remarks. Dont know about Mecca though
Rama Says: April 19th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Doddi Buddi, You seem to be a bastard! No mother-sister at home? Go screw
tarlesubba Says: April 19th, 2007 at 10:51 am
saar.yesudasa’s case has been eloquently and aptly compared to kanakadasa’s. it is nobodies case that individually he might be the greatest krishnabhakta post independence. & DG’s point about raghavendra brundavana is right on the money.
but all this is game & quite natural. however, as far as the undercurrent of this post goes, panniker’s comment is very interesting & prolly right on the money.
as far as the undercurrent of this post goes, a comparative study of ‘progressive’ trends in the last 100 years amongst the various religions is prolly most instructive. It is prolly illuminative to ask how far have these religions moved away from their respective literal interpretations & dogma.
as far as the undercurrent of this post goes, when compared to the debasing, demonizing and even threatening, zakir naiks, deobands & baptists of NE, who now advertise to be coming to a locality near you including tirupathi, even the wildest bajrangis come out as modern day kabirs in that even they would not attack EVEN the patron saints of deobandism & baptistism, let alone the god of the book people, as false gods. an act which anybody who has been on the receiving end of their marketing campaigns & pamphlets would vouch is not the case with these nutbags of the evangelist kinds. for these & others hindu’s inherent tolerance is worth only so much piss. anybody who has gone east of mysore will be able to vouch for the altered ‘geography’.
given these empirical facts, ultimately even though all religions might be false, the ones that have converted poorly published books & the thesis in them, to bibles & qurans are the more dangerous ones. now we can bury our heads in that famous indian sand & deny it & conitinue to needle pointless issues, but Persia, kandahaar, far east. So., Korea. Americas. Africa(Darfur). Airope. have different stories to tell.
tarlesubba. indian ‘atheist’ of the nyaya-vaisheshika kind.
tarlesubba Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:10 am
oops forgot to add.. sankara, basavanna, guru nanak, JK & UG kind.
Dheerendragopal Says: April 19th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
TS neevu Ogatina Manushya …intresting .
Doddi Buddi Says: April 19th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Rama
Unlike you, I am not into incest. Now go in peace.
Smita Says: April 19th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Rama - echo your sentiments!
DB - you greatly appreciated Prof. Krishne Gowda’s eloquence and wit in driving home meaningful messages… do you recall what he had to say about speech having no literal meaning, but only ‘bhavane’- the feeling, the sentiment… have you tried to understand what some of us here are trying to say (different words though we may use?)
And all the others on this forum - while you all seem to have an opinion/ significant experience on current affairs, political wisdom, and business acumen, and talk so highly of culture, values and lofty ideals, how is it that no one has an opinion/ drive to curb such loose talk on this forum? Or is it precisely what makes it entertaining for all of us?
Doddi Buddi Says: April 19th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Smita,
In fact it appears that I did not go all-Indian psycho on your comment yesterday in the hope that we can still discuss issues without getting into ‘mothers and sisters’ at home. You know what you are not only unfunny you come off as some sterile tennis-court tranny.
As far Rama, what is it that enraged his psychotic behavior-baffles me completely! Is he a closet homo? Did my infosis comment gave him an instant brain damage or what?
Keep to the facts and show me where I have crossed the line.
SK is a 3-tent piece!Kerala women wear sarees in an attractive way because the weather is humid and they need a functional dress.
If you want to get into gutter language, oh yeah sister Smita I can go there too!
Anonymous Guy Says: April 19th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
A temple/church/mosque/whatever is free is do what it wants if it ran purely on private money. Religion is kind of like a club nowadays - you are part of the club or you arent, non-members are mostly not tolerated. But if the ‘place of worship’ gets government subsidies, doesnt pay taxes on money earned or gets to occupy land without paying for it; then obviously they will have to allow public in, since they enjoy benefits claiming they are public institutions.
On a different note, we like ‘loose talk’. Adhu maja koduththe. If we wanted to ‘curb’ it or avoid it, we would go to a temple and pray.
Smita Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
wondered why you stopped calling yourself KB so soon!!? there is so much potential yet to be unveiled…
maybe you do want to give us a sample of the gutter language that you are so proud an exponent of - i am sure this is just the beginning! Churumuri - prepare yourself… here are some lessons to be learnt!
Doddi Buddi Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Smita
There is no point in being witty or funny with the likes of you! And you know it! Deep down you are just a wannabe ‘hot chick’ with neither the assets to back up your deepest desires nor interesting grey matter.
Now go in a 3-tent piece and spread your kind of spirituality among the deadbeats like ‘Rawma’ and others…:)
Anonymous GuyYou say it right.
Dheerendragopal Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
I think Yesudas has to be allowed into the temple in mallus heartland .or Paryaayavaagi he can come to Udipi Srikrishna temple .Both are same gods the DK people dont mind( I think so ) .
Anyone joining me for a cup of Columbian Coffee…Take a break .LOL
Anonymous Guy Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
DB, I think Smita likes you. See she even wants you to use abusive language now for her kicks.
Dheerendragopal Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
I cant post anything here .becaus it is sending my comments for moderation
Anonymous Guy Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Thats because you are the poli Dheerendra Gopal. Yen anthiya thammmmaaaaa.
Smita Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
is that why you keep responding to my ‘witticisms’ with such promptness? :-)ooooh….’deep down’ you seem to know what i am… and the whole world is like… but not why you are as obnoxious as you are!
Smita Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
anonymous guy! on behalf of KB - thanks for coming to his support - he will need it!
Dheerendragopal Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
This is what I postedthink Yesudas has to be allowed into the temple in mallus heartland .or Paryaayavaagi he can come to Udipi Srikrishna temple .Both are same gods the DK people dont mind( I think so ) .
Anyone joining me for a cup of Columbian Coffee
Goutham Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
I never understood why temples dont allow certain ppl to enter.Its probobaly the opposite in any church.They are always looking for fresh recruits:).Thats why they go to middle of africa in deep jungle ..to get more ppl to convert to christianity…I never understood that…In hindu religion we don not have that concept…I guess its more closer to human nature…if you have found something thats good you want to keep it close to yourselves…In other religions its more to do with forming allinces and gaining a communuity….its not between you and GOD
Dheerendragopal Says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
it is because of segregation . earlier even shudras were not allowed into temples . the brahmins had control of temple and God
Anonymous Guy Says: April 20th, 2007 at 12:02 am
Smita, More and more it seems to me that you really like DB or KB (kall buddi? kantri buddi?).
DB,
Volle chance maga idhdhu. Bidabeda.
Naveen Says: April 20th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Anonymus:Majja nimagge Loose talk nalli siguttha ?. Berre yava reethinallu siggodilva? adunu public forum nalle aggabekka ?. hope you are allright?
DB: I am in Mysore - saturday and sunday - . I live in Gokulam Park Road . I want to meet up with you. You seem to know and comment on all - and Gutter language too. You certainly are on the dot with current affairs - which means you are a senior/ proffesional person.I agree on being funny / witty - but topics on women, Assets in public forum ?. My question - if you were to lead by example - would you have suggested your fellow members to laugh at the expense of others?.
Iam curious - so want to meet you . From MathruMandalli->Mahajanas - So gutter Can be at worst! :)I shall hope to meet you sir!.
Anonymous Guy Says: April 20th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
@Naveen“adunu public forum nalle aggabekka?”
Anonymous Guys are always like that. We look for maja everywhere. Privatu, publicu yella ondhe.
Ranga Says: April 20th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Back off all you who use not-so civilised language. The issue is that in this 21st century, a temple refuses to allow in a devotee of Christian faith. I say that whatever the caste/religion of the person, if the person is a devotee ( believes in the God that the temple represents), he/she should be allowed in.
Nikhil Moro Says: April 20th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
If Guruvayoor receives government funds through Kerala’s Department of Temple Affairs, then the refusal to admit Yesudas is a clear violation of Article 23(2) of the Constitution which prohibits the government from discriminating among citizens.
In addition, not admitting Yesudas shows a lack of understanding of the Vedanta. As the primary philosophy of Hindu practices, the Vedanta clearly teaches that moksha is attained by Self-realization regardless of the prophet or religion one uses; sanatan dharma accepts multiple paths to the “Truth.” That factor is what makes Hindu dharma so powerfully accepting — and eternal.
Many mosques do not admit non-Muslims. Fire temples in Mumbai do not appreciate non-Parsis. Same is the case with Jewish synagogues.
It may be fair to include in the current debate all those places of worship, even though they are minority.
Regarding the dress code, the Guruvayoor temple, as private property owned by a trust, has every right to enforce a dress code — asking devotees to wear a panche or to remove their shirt. All gurudwars have a dress code too, requiring devotees to cover their heads before entering. So do Sufi tombs, as well as mosques that do admit “outsiders.”
The temple’s dress code has nothing to do with being able to see the devotees’ “jaanav” or “janavara.” Removing the shirt is intended to show one show’s humility in the presence of the diety. It is a way to ensure equality among devotees.
Grow up, guys!
The Guruvayoor, Horanadu, Udupi, Dharmasthala or Shringeri temples do not give any special respect for the “jaanav” than our society in general does by presuming that the “jaanav” represents scholarship, religious confirmation (including self-induced poverty) and service.
Talking of Yesudas specifically, going by the sincerity and submission evident in his bhajans, he is clearly a bhakt of Guruvayoor Krishna. So what if he was born into a Catholic family — that wasn’t a choice he made. I am very proud that in the mainstream Hindu Vedantic tradition Yesudas is as welcome as anyone else even if in his own Catholic tradition he is probably rejected as a heretic or non-Christian.
Doddi Buddi Says: April 20th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Ranga,
I agree with you 100%–that’s exactly how I feel on this Yesudas issue.
Doddi Buddi Says: April 20th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Naveen
Thank you for the kind words! No can do–I am over in North America. Let’s be clear–This is not a forum to discuss the spiritual side of Mother Theresa. Nor I am a thrill seeker. I have honestly set out what I feel about the opposite sex and their various modes of dress. You are welcome to disagree without getting too violent or too personal.
It is very easy for me to accuse you detractors–pay you back in the same coin and so on. That said, I detest SK as a dress–it is a monstrosity and brings out the worst in our South Indian women. Women love to wear low-waist jeans to showcase their best bits and that is a fact–which unfortunately has brought out mass hysteria among some of the forum members–we call it denying the obvious! ditto with short skirts another admirable garment that should proliferate the Indian landscape so that men get used to seeing them and feel comfortable without getting repressed.
The laugh is only at our hypocrisy–not at the expense of the women members! An attractive woman goes into Taliban mode simply by wearing a SK. Why because some members feel there are members like DB (or KB) on the prowl! What shit is this? Are we living in Saudi Arabia? do we really need to be policed by moral though police like SK Smita?
I can imagine someone like SK Smita going to a movie with lots of postcards in her handbag. The moment a hero, say. Sivanna starts grabbing the bits and pieces of the nice Jennifer Kotwal, Smita starts writing a letter there and then, “You Bastard! Sivanna. Maneley mother sisters illawa?” and so on. She does the same with other heroes as well.
At the end of the day when you are watching a ladies tennis match, I am sure you are watching the game as well as the aesthetics that went to building the player:) Unless you are a ‘Rama’
Doddi Buddi Says: April 20th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
That should be ‘thought police’
Dheerendragopal Says: April 20th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
There are always two kinds of sections .People who want to dress well and catch attention.People who want to dress ‘Less’ and catch attention .
Designer make dress for both the class . A decently dressed women always gets respect . A scantily dressed women always draw attentionof men . Some openly comment on such women and some suppress their comments but have opinions(maybe desires ) on such women( maybe every women. There are others engrossed in other worldly mattersdoesnt care much about the opposite sex or what they wear .All this depends on the soceity and the exposure we had while growing up.The more conservative the soceity is the more exploitation and abuse we find. Probably there is more abuse against women in Saudi Arabia than in free world . The same with Indian Soceity as well .To end my note , there is no safe place for women either way .In Middle eastern countries there might be abuse against women and Men might not be punished in male dominant soceity (even in India ) whereas in USthere might be abuses against women in several other ways and may not be open or reported . All boils down to Basic Instinct and how much free time people have .
Lets end the conversation here and wish yesudas gets into the temple .Otherwise what use the MALLU land claiming that there is 100% literacy .
Doddi Buddi Says: April 20th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Right said, DG!
tarlesubba Says: April 21st, 2007 at 1:09 am
saar yesudas story is boring. full politics.
these discussions on churumuri about what women ought to wear is more interesting.
what to do when, when not to go where, what to wear when, how to behave etc., like this the same discussion with the same arguments from the men’s side can be had on a variety of vanitha topics.
bajaarige male equivalent idiya?sooLemagange female equivalent idiya?sooLe ge male equivalent idiya?
poorapara Says: April 21st, 2007 at 1:46 am
sooLe ge male equivalent idiya?
idhyalla
Rama Says: April 21st, 2007 at 11:13 am
Dodda Buddi. I know that the North American climate has given you a Sore back and ass and you are frustrated. It’s evident in your comments though you may think polished they’re. Any subject, everyone knows what comments to expect from you! Though you have tried to justify your first comments by mentioning the humid climate in Kerala etc, you stand isolated on the fact that be it a tennis match or your mother bringing you a cup of coffee, what you will be eager to look at. Long live DB! We are not in Soudi Arabia, but Mysooru is still too far of North America.
Rama Says: April 21st, 2007 at 12:46 pm
DB: ..and this is not a CONFESSION FORUM to tell when all you got a hard on..
Ed Viswanathan Says: May 18th, 2007 at 1:02 am
This is a complex issue. This a dilemma for all Hindus.
On one side we are forced to follow traditions but on other side, we have to welcome others who sincerely believe in Hindu concepts and ideals.
How we can achieve that is a million dollar question???
To a person who sees everything as ADVAIDA [one ] nothing matters but to people who are deep into ritualistic worship, everything matters.
We have to reach a middle path upon which all of us can agree.
After publishing my book AM I A HINDU? [www.amiahindu.com] many westerners have written to me, expressing their ardent desire to become Hindus. But unluckily, there are no proper way for them to become Hindus, since HINDUISM IS A CULTURE and caste system is a stumbling block in their conversion.
We have to develop some consensus among all Hindu theologians including four Sankaracharyas about this matter. We cannot ignore and wish the question will go away. This problem will linger on until it is properly solved.
Thanks for reading.
Suresh Nair Says: May 21st, 2007 at 1:41 pm
I personnaly feel that yesudas to be allowed to visit guruyavoor anyway the caste doesn’t matter to god its a creation of human being the best example is that of uduppi shree krishna, god only needs the bhaktas , for me yesudas is real bhakta of lord krishna
Doode Says: May 21st, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Kindly allow Yesudas to the temple
Gopakumar N Says: May 25th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Any true devotee should be permitted inside temple. I feel Yesudas is elgible than any so called devotee there.
Now the politics. Kerala Govt takes away the money from Hindu temples there. Most of the rich temples are under the governance of a body called Devaswom board, there is a ministry for that. Temples not getting anything back from this Devaswom board. Sabarimala is a clear case of inadequate facilities for the devotees. So the minister asking Devaswom board to allow Yesudas is purely politics.
Even if Yesudas doesn’t get a permission, I am sure Lord Krishna is with him.
K.Venugopal Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. May 25th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Everyone should be allowed entry into all temples. However, this should not lead to a homogenization of all temples. Every temple has its unique architecture, traditions, customs and rituals. These should be perpetuated, including purificatory rites. Only such purificatory rites should be a consequence of erroneous action rather than entry of people of particular religions or castes. When a person enters a temple, he ought to enter it in the spirit of imbibing what the temple has to offer rather than vitiating the temple by, for example, performing namaaz inside the temple. If a Muslim feels like doing so, he should resist himself in deference to the temple traditions and instead seek to build a temple where the performance of namaaz is allowed. In short, universal entry into temples should not signal uprooting of temples.

Politics, Mafia and youths in Kerala (societal plagues)

Thursday, May 24, 2007
Politics, mafia and youths in kerala(societal plagues)
The recent events in kerala, even though attracted less attention, but provides much to ponder on certain issues which has bee plaguing kerala.Kerala chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan has started a demolition drive of illegal buildings throughout, starting from a tourist destination Munnar. These buildings are a sign of the cancer that has spread in the society silently. The victims: nature, poor and mainly youth. Who is behind these activities? Mafia, a romantic Italian word for goons, and the politicians. This is a nexus that has been running until present chief minister put an end to it. His efforts and that of three IPS officers in charge have to be lauded. While the whole kerala stand behind him in support, the people who stand against him are his own colleagues and Congress. It shows utter irresponsibility towards the public and a support to crony capitalists who have been mushrooming through out the state.
The youths are the main victims of this excessive politicization of society. They don’t have voice of their own, but barks whenever their political masters tell them to. Often these small town politicians are also into illegal businesses including black money, land and pornography which has become rampant in kerala.Often the conduit for carrying out these activities are youths. Though we know kerala as a state with high literacy rate and the state which saw phenomenal social revolution, but underneath something was going wrong. Because of the lack of industries and irrigation and other means of work, the society was increasingly becoming idle and idle mind breeds all evil. The brunt of this evil has been mostly turned towards women. The youths lured by quick money prospects and completely dogmatized by politics, and the nexus running deep between political parties and mafia, fall prey easily to these social evils. These cronies build resorts on encroached land and carry out illegal activities.
Women face the brunt of sexual perverts which has been social catastrophe without any remedy at sight. These issues as been pushed under carpet without any debate on why it was happening in a most literate state. The social fabric in the state is such that it discourages mingling of children of both sexes which has become a rule of sorts. This is slowly changing and one can only hope that future generation boys do not poke their nose in to private areas. Not anymore should we push these issues under the carpet. The rot that has set in for a long time should be dealt with immediately. Till now we lacked a leader at the helm who have the courage to call spade a spade in the last two decade. Now Chief Minister Achuthanandan has hit at the root of the problem which can shake the society from slumber.
One can only hop this rolling stone rolls for some more time.
The way CPI (M) leader Pinnarayi Vijayan commented on the demolition drive which was endorsed by Supreme Court show the rot inside the society. Even in this case he did not miss a chance to take a dig at Achuthanandan, whom he tried to prevent becoming chief minister. He succeeded in throwing out so many old communists, honest politicians, from the party followed by an influx of crony capitalists in to the party who deals in land, black money and other antisocial activities and their main weapons, youth. The vulgar politicization of society was a Damocles sword hanging on keraliites for a long time.
The opposition leader Oomen chandy produces sound bites for himself; making a fool of himself. Congress never works hard in kerala or for that matter in any state. All they do is win election on money power or they need a wave of sympathy to get in to power or comfortably backs on anti- incumbency sweep.
The only way is for the youth to find their voice lost in excessive politicization is to get out of this quagmire of deception from political parties. Those who still respect the old guards who brought about social revolution and has not lost their moral compass should raise their voice in a non-political platform.
11:18:58 AM
Posted By vinod kumar Comments (17) Society
Comments
Saddy_007 Thursday, May 24, 2007 1:02:17 PM
You are right Vinod !Kerala Is the one state which has got the immense potential to rise compared to any other state because there is people don?t fight in name of faith ,religion or region here or are comparatively very less .It is because of these Dump A** politicians that the e state is like this .VS has emerged as a leader .All cheers to him and his supporters .There are many such underneath mafia working in Kerala .In each an every department ! CM should be strong and we the people need to support him for this cause .Media should be able to do a proactive process in achieving it Rather than becoming another Goons
Saddy_007 Thursday, May 24, 2007 1:15:26 PM
You are right Vinod !Kerala Is the one state which has got the immense potential to rise compared to any other state because there is people don?t fight in name of faith ,religion or region here or are comparatively very less .It is because of these Dump A** politicians that the e state is like this .VS has emerged as a leader .All cheers to him and his supporters .There are many such underneath mafia working in Kerala .In each an every department ! CM should be strong and we the people need to support him for this cause .Media should be able to do a proactive process in achieving it Rather than becoming another Goons
tvknair Thursday, May 24, 2007 11:49:33 PM
Although Kerala is No.1 state in India so far as education is concerned it is very backward so far as industry is concerned. No industrial climate exists there even today. Always Bandh and strike take place. Result is unemployment. Educated youths migrate to other states for employment. Communist part is largely responsible for this situation. Their strong arm tactics are visible everywhere. Industrialists skip this state. It is high time that they change their tactic and follow the policy of w.Bengal or China. It is more relevant that they are ruling the state.
Nemesis Friday, May 25, 2007 8:52:26 AM
Jewellers, money lenders and politicians are the guardians of mafia in this state. Religious fundamentalism especially Christina and Islam is on the highest level. The only difference is that there is no armed struggles by religious outfits.
manoj Friday, May 25, 2007 9:17:09 AM
you r right vinod and really after a long time we have got a good CM , WE SHOULD SUPPORT HIM TO THROW ALL THE EVILS FROM OUR ROTTEN SOCIETY
Anand Friday, May 25, 2007 9:22:19 AM
This is an excellent article.I appreciate you for bringing out the dirty political plays.Let us hope that such articles bring about awareness among the youth of our society.
jayalakshmi roshan Friday, May 25, 2007 9:50:57 AM
yes exactly i do agree with our great VS ATCHU MAMA .but my worry is the cold war going on between VS and PINARAI . OTHER PARTIES MAY MAKE USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.MY HUMBLE REQUEST TO BOTH OF THEM IS TO KEEP THEIR EGO ASIDE AND GO HAND IN HAND FOR THE SAKE OF PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM MOST.
kannan Friday, May 25, 2007 10:01:48 AM
it is wonderful article. why not some efficient journalists (example tehalka.com)investicate deeply and bring out this dirty politics to public?Please save the ever green state of god.
N.A.sumith Friday, May 25, 2007 10:02:06 AM
Excellent article Vinod.Atlast after a long gap we got a good CM.The entire state is behind him,let him lead from the front!!
Archana Nair Friday, May 25, 2007 10:57:29 AM
Yes vinod, u r very right. Right from businessmen to Software engineers, there are very few who want to work in Kerala. And the reason being a cloud of fear..whether they can escape from the claws of politicisation of society. Hope our chief minister continues this drive of retaining God's own country's lost prestige!
Dilip Friday, May 25, 2007 11:27:49 AM
GOD OWN COUNTRY INHABITATED BY DEVILS OWN PEOPLE!!!!!!! IT IS GOING TO BE A MIRACLE IF THE NEXUS BETWEEN GOONS AND POLITIANS AND THE LAW ENFORCING AGENCIES IS TO BECOME A THING OF THE PAST.
Viswanathan Friday, May 25, 2007 12:19:11 PM
We hear the cry from the soul of the writer for the youth & State of Kerala.We need brave leaders like Shri. VS to remove the evil & save the society. We have a shakuni called Pinarayi Vijayan to undo all good work Shri. VS does. He installed his groups in the ministry only for his own gains. If he is a sincere politician let him go to Kannore and make it place to live with peace. A simple thing he can do.All political parties in kerala are using unemployed youth excessively for their polital gains. Rather than uplifting the society they are the main reason to spoil the society.The present situation would be improved by creating employment. Shri. VS should look at States like West Bengal, HP etc.
bala Friday, May 25, 2007 12:33:09 PM
good article, Kerala needs a cheif minister like VS. All political parties in kerala are using unemployed youth excessively for their polital gains.
monica Friday, May 25, 2007 12:53:26 PM
you are absolutely right...we should support him.he is taking good step in right direction but the main culprit is not the politician but our public becuase they don't want to change the system ..i m not blaming everyone but because of few people we are at this postion.When CM VS started some good work so thousands of people are gainst him ...how can we change the system ....We have to join our hand and support him .
Subash Friday, May 25, 2007 1:55:16 PM
Pinarayi has a lot of business interests and he is believed to be the corporate face of CPM. That's why he takes pain to promote people like Adbul Wahab, Actor Mammootty, etc. He will either successfully rewrite CPM's political view and ideology to compete with the right wing in their own turf or dig the grave for CPM in the state. VS has no long-term goals or agenda and that's why he is acting brave. He doesn't care even if he doesn't get a second chance as CM. All he wants now is, to end his term successfully and retire with grace.
shijo karukachal Friday, May 25, 2007 3:07:53 PM
good article vinod,iam also agreed vs is good cm. but rivals in his party does not allow him to do any progressive work.they are real mafia people.they are facing serious allegations. fortunately kerala politics is better than else where, compare north indian criminal politics-jungle raj or dravidian family politics.
K.Venugopal Friday, May 25, 2007 3:12:06 PM
Laws have been broken and forests denuded. The culprits must be punished and their illegal property confiscated. Instead, VS orders a demolition spree. Does his image great good, no doubt. However, legal or illegal, a building is a building. We can overcome the ‘immorality’ of an illegal structure by putting it to good use. All the illegal structures in Munar could have been taken over by the Government and Munar could have been made an international centre of, say, Ayurvedic treatment, using the so-called illegal buildings. VS obviously lacks imagination.

Dera backs off; Punjab tense but calm

Thursday, May 24, 2007
Dera backs off; Punjab tense but calm
One Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh head of a certain Sikh sect called Dera Sacha Sauda, decided to go for a fancy dress* dressed at the 10th Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh. This photo was published by the sect in newspapers. I wouldn't know if it was as an ad or as a press release, and I also wouldn't know if the sect or the head claimed to be like the 10th Guru.But!Punjab went up in flames! Sikhs wanted the heads of the offending Sikhs rolling on the ground.And then!I had no intention of imitating or being disrespectful to Guru Gobind Singh. I had absolutely no intention of equating myself with Guru Gobind Singh. This is a misunderstanding that is causing a lot of needless harm and it should be cleared-Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim SinghWay to go Gurmeet, never late than never. And as for the rest of you baying for his blood, you are a bunch of dumbasses!* Ok so I made up the part of the fancy dress party, he had worn it for attending a religious function.And lastly to all the guys who invented religion, if your intention was world peace then you have failed miserably, if your intention was to reduce world population then you will all get the Nobel Prize. Though it cannot be named peace prize. A new category the Nobel Prize for controlling world population!
11:55:47 PM
Posted By RAJAYE_HIND PRASHER Comments (1) Society
Comments
K.Venugopal Friday, May 25, 2007 10:00:29 AM
Haven't the Sikhs heard, "Imitation is the best form of flattery"? Sikh leadership has displayed fascist tendencies in calling for Deras to be shut down. The Sikh disinclination to be perceived as Hindus appears to have transformed them to imbibe the intolerance of the Semitic faiths.

Want a war? Get religion.

Friday, May 25, 2007
Want a war? Get religion.
Not so sure. I suspect identity, not belief is at the root of religious trouble.
I think people will continue to do this stupid stuff as long as there is some basis for classification into "us" and "them". If all Indians were to turn atheists overnight, I think we will still see trouble between "Hindu atheists" and "Muslims atheists". A lot of this is about ego, not theology.
12:01:52 AM
Posted By RAJAYE_HIND PRASHER Comments (1) Society
Comments
K.Venugopal Friday, May 25, 2007 9:43:41 AM
You are absolutely right. Identity, and not belief, is at the root of religious strife.