Church in Kerala opens gates for Eid prayers
Malappuram (PTI): In a heartwarming display of communal harmony, the gates of a church compound in Kerala's Malappuram district were opened for Muslim faithful to offer Eid prayers on Wednesday.
Hundreds of Muslim faithful gathered on the spacious grounds in front of the Nicholas Memorial CSI Church in Manjeri on Wednesday morning. They came together to participate in the Eid prayers organised by the Joint Eid Committee, Manjeri. The decision to open the church gates for Eid prayers stemmed from the closure of the Government UP School ground, which usually served as the venue for Eid prayers in the predominantly Muslim town. The closure was due to preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Fr Joy Maslamani, the vicar of the church, expressed happiness at the opportunity to extend hospitality to the Muslim community during this auspicious occasion. He emphasised the importance of fostering love and unity, especially in times marked by religious tensions. Abdul Ali, a member of the Eid celebration committee, praised the inclusive gesture, stating that such secular spaces offer a powerful response to divisive forces seeking to sow discord among secular-minded individuals.
This gesture by the authorities of the Church of South India (CSI) was hailed by netizens as the true "Kerala Story." This move also comes at a time when various churches under the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church were screening the Sudipto Sen-directed controversial movie "The Kerala Story," which tells the story of a group of women from Kerala who were forced to convert to Islam and join the terror outfit ISIS.
Netizens opined that the CSI Church's act of solidarity transcends religious boundaries and serves as a reminder of Kerala's rich tradition of coexistence and mutual respect among diverse communities. Hailing the Church authorities, K M Hussain Majeri, a digital creator, wrote on his Facebook, "This is 'the real Kerala Story'."
Jouhar Trippanachi, who attended the Eidgah at the Church ground, said that it was a heartwarming Eid day at the joint Eidgah held at CSI Church Ground. "The Eidgah is a platform for unity and religious friendship within the community. Such instances are very chilling in this demonic age where conscious efforts are being made to divide people in the name of religion. Thanks to Father Joy Masilamani and Manjeri CSI Church officials. Eid Mubarak to all," he wrote on his Facebook page.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sambhal temple revival: Locals refute encroachment claims, say temple was protected since 2006
New Delhi: Officials in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, have revived an old temple in a predominantly Muslim locality, sparking discussions on its history and the claims surrounding its closure. The district administration and police restored the structure, which had reportedly remained dormant for years, and reopened it for Hindu worship after clearing the site.
The temple, found in the Khaggu Sarai area, was reportedly discovered during an anti-encroachment drive. The administration claims the temple had been neglected since 1978, following communal riots that led Hindus in the area to relocate. However, Hindu residents have rejected the theory of encroachment, stating that the structure was always under their care and control.
The Sambhal administration, led by District Magistrate (DM) Rajender Pensiya and Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar Bishnoi, undertook cleaning and restoration efforts at the temple and a nearby well. Officials also installed CCTV cameras for security and stationed police personnel to monitor the site.
DM Pensiya revealed that the temple and its surroundings were found during the demolition of encroachments on roads and drains. Speaking about the discovery, Pensiya said, “We have written a letter to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regarding the temple and the koop (well). Once they come and carry out carbon dating, we will actually find out how old the temple is.”
During the cleaning of the well, officials uncovered three idols, identified as Ganesha, Parvati (broken), and Lakshmi. DM Pensiya stated that the administration is investigating how the idols ended up in the well and that beautification plans will follow once the temple's antiquity is established.
The temple, now being referred to as the Pracheen Sambhaleshwar Mandir (Ancient Sambhaleshwar Temple), has also been painted saffron. Initially, DM Pensiya called it the Kartik Mahadev Mandir.
Hindu locals have contradicted the administration’s narrative of abandonment and encroachment. Dharmendra Rastogi, whose family owned property in the area, said the temple was functional until 2006. He claimed that his family had locked the structure and built a protective wall around it for preservation before relocating.
“The last puja was conducted in 2006. There was no prohibition on darshan of the temple or taking its keys,” Dharmendra told ABP News. He further clarified, “The temple is as it was. There is no encroachment. We had raised the wall. It was a part of the temple.”
Another resident, Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, a patron of the city’s Hindu Sabha, stated that while Hindus gradually moved out of Khaggu Sarai after the 1978 riots, they were never prevented by Muslims from visiting the temple. “We had to close the temple as the priests could not live here,” he explained, adding that managing the temple had become increasingly difficult.
“There was no fear. Whoever could get a place somewhere else, moved out,” Dharmendra reiterated.
P. Verma, another former resident, said his family left the locality in 1993 but recalled that the temple was operational at least until then. “The cleaning took place, so did the puja archana,” he said, adding that the well and a nearby Peepal tree were significant to the area. “I used to drink water from this well. Women from the locality would come and wash clothes there,” Verma shared.
The temple’s revival has led to sharp political reactions. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath used the event to criticise the Opposition, saying, “Did the administration build such an ancient temple in Sambhal overnight? Did such an ancient idol of Bajrangbali come there overnight? Why have those savages who committed the massacre in Sambhal 46 years ago not been punished till date? Why is this not discussed?” Adityanath claimed that the temple had been shut since 1978.
Sambhal MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq of the Samajwadi Party countered these claims, accusing the administration and government of spreading “false rumours” about the temple. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Barq stated, “The truth is that puja was performed in this temple till 16 years ago, and the lock of this temple was put by the Rastogi family itself. The keys were still with the Rastogi family. The maintenance of the temple was done by the Muslims of the neighbourhood.”
Barq criticised those propagating communal narratives and remarked, “Those looking for temples under mosques across the country should learn a lesson from the Muslims of Sambhal.” He asserted that the temple has remained unchanged since 46 years ago. “This is truly a slap on the face of those communal people,” he said.
Officials, meanwhile, are awaiting the ASI's assessment to determine the temple's age. The administration has committed to restoring the structure to its original form, with Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra stating that efforts are being made to preserve its antiquity.
