Hartal over Sabarimala issue begins in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 3: A dawn-to-dusk 12-hour hartal called by Hindu outfits began Thursday morning in protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa .
As per initial reports, auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers were plying at the railway station in the state capital and various other places.
But in Kozhikode, protesters blocked vehicles and burnt tyres in the morning.
The hartal, which began at 6 am, has been called by Sabarimala Karma Samithi, an umbrella organisation of various pro-Hindutva groups, spearheading protests against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict, and Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP).
The BJP is supporting the shutdown while the Congress-led UDF is observing a "black day" on Thursday.
Two women, Kanakadurga (44) and Bindu (42), created history be stepping into the hallowed precincts guarded by police three months after the Supreme Court's historic judgement lifting the ban on entry of girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age into the shrine of Lord Ayyappa, its "eternally celibate" deity.
As the news spread like wildfire from the hill shrine, protests erupted at several places, with Hindu right-wing activists blocking highways and forcing closure of shops and markets.
BJP and CPI(M) workers clashed in front of the Secretariat for over five hours Wednesday as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.
A 55-year-old man, who was seriously injured in stone throwing at Pandalam, died late Wednesday night.
Merchants' organisations have said they would not cooperate with the hartal and keep shops and business establishments open.
Meanwhile, state DGP Loknath Behara has warned of strict action against those indulging in violence during the hartal.
Various universities, including Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi, Calicut and Kannur have postponed their examinations scheduled for Thursday.
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‘No Ramzan without Ram’: Hindus shower flowers outside Jaipur Eidgah in Eid gesture of unity
Jaipur: In a display of communal harmony, members of the Hindu community showered flowers on Muslims offering prayers at an Eidgah in Rajasthan’s capital during Eid celebrations, The Indian Express reported on Sunday.
The initiative was organised under the banner of the Hindu-Muslim Ekta Samiti, with the aim of promoting brotherhood and unity. Thousands of people had gathered at the Eidgah from early morning to offer prayers, with the atmosphere remaining peaceful and celebratory.
“Eid Mubarak to everyone. Festivals are about peace and harmony. This spirit should remain intact across India, including Rajasthan. Some people try to create divisions, but that is wrong. There is no Ramadan without Ram, and there is no Diwali without Eid. We are all one and belong to the same family,” TIE quoted Rajesh Kumar Sharma, a member of the Hindu-Muslim Ekta Samiti as saying.
Mufti Amjad, Imam of Jaipur’s Jama Masjid, welcomed the initiative. “Amid so much negative news, such gestures give people hope for a better world,” he said, highlighting the importance of unity between communities.
Such gestures of mutual respect have been seen during other festivals as well. Members of the Muslim community in Jaipur have also participated in Hindu festivals such as Ram Navami, Holi and Diwali by extending greetings and showering flowers, helping strengthen social harmony and trust in the city.
