Biography of social reformer Narayana Guru released
New Delhi, June 14: A comprehensive biography of Keralas prominent social reformer and philosopher Sree Narayana Guru was launched here on Thursday, with the aim of popularising his life and teachings beyond the state.
Titled "Sree Narayana Guru: The Perfect Union of Buddha and Sankara", the biography, written by Asokan Vengassery Krishnan, was released by Rajya Sabha member Narendra Jadhav at a function in the Teen Murti House.
The 396-page book, published by Konark Publishers, has been edited by veteran journalist M.R. Narayan Swamy.
"Guru is widely known in Kerala, but not so much outside it. The idea is to take his teachings and philosophy to India and rest of the world, with this book," Krishnan told IANS.
In his address, Jadhav, likened the anti-caste crusade of Narayana Guru to that of B.R. Ambedkar.
This book chronicles the illustrious life of the sage who emerged as the conscience of Kerala in the twentieth century, the publisher said in a statement.
"As a social reformer, his impact was unmatched in history. Thoss who had been denied basic human rights for centuries were able to experience dramatic changes in their lives due to the awakening caused by Guru's teachings," it said.
In the book's preface, Krishnan writes that he had striven to "unravel the multifaceted personality of Sree Narayana Guru as a saint, sage, 'siddha', 'yogi', socio-religious reformer, thinker, educator, philosopher, pragmatic visionary, and poet".
Rajya Sabha member V. Muraleedharan deemed it as a book "relevant to present time", and said his teachings have universal applicability.
The dignitaries present during the launch include former Indian Council for Cultural Relations chairman Lokesh Chandra, Kerala MP A. Sampath, former diplomat T.P. Sreenivasan, fomer Kannur University Vice Chancellor P. Chandramohan among others.
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Bhojshala complex registered as 'mosque' in old revenue records: Muslim side to MP HC
Indore (PTI): The disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex has historically been registered as a 'mosque' in revenue records and available sources don't clearly mention any Saraswati temple established by then-king Raja Bhoj, the Muslim side has told the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while the Muslim side calls the 11th-century monument Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex located in Dhar district is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
During the hearing before the HC's Indore bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi on Wednesday, Qazi Moinuddin questioned two PILs filed as intervenors in the Bhojshala case by an organisation named Hindu Front for Justice, one Kuldeep Tiwari and another individual.
Moinuddin claims to be a descendant of Sufi saint Maulana Kamaluddin Chishti and the 'Sajjadanashin' (spiritual head, guru, or successor of a Sufi shrine, khanqah, or religious site).
The PILs state that Bhojshala is actually a Saraswati temple and only Hindus should be granted the right to worship at the disputed complex.
Moinuddin's lawyer, Noor Ahmed Sheikh, claimed in the court that his client's ancestors, who are descendants of Maulana Kamaluddin Chishti, have historically held titles to the complex, and the site was also recorded as a "mosque" in government revenue records.
He contended that those associated with the management of the Kamal Maula Mosque, located within the complex, have been in "continuous and peaceful occupation" of the site for a long time.
Citing Muslim law, Sheikh argued that in the case of religious property, particularly a mosque or its related properties, officials such as the Sajjadanashin and Mutawalli (person entrusted with management, maintenance, and administration of a Waqf), and their descendants, not only have the right to intervene, but also have the right to manage and use such a structure.
Citing provisions of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act 1904, the Muslim side's lawyer said the term "in-charge of the property" is used in this law, which makes it clear that the person or party who has been in charge of a property for a long time has rights over it.
During the hearing, Touseef Warsi, the lawyer representing the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society of Dhar, claimed that Hindu parties in both PILs had made "misleading representations" regarding historical facts before the high court.
He further claimed that available historical sources do not clearly mention the existence of a Saraswati temple established by Raja Bhoj, the legendary king of the Parmar dynasty who ruled Dhar from 1010 to 1055.
The ASI, a central government agency, has adopted three different positions in the lawsuits filed regarding the Bhojshala dispute, changing its answers from time to time, and this situation raises serious questions about judicial scrutiny of the complex, Warsi submitted.
He raised objections regarding the ASI's process of scientific survey of the Bhojshala complex, carried out on the HC order in 2024, and the method of videography and requested the court to examine these objections.
The hearing in the Bhojshala case will continue on Thursday.
The HC has been regularly hearing four petitions and one writ appeal since April 6, contesting the religious nature of the monument.
