‘Was curious to read Quran, wanted to know what’s written in it’: Goa CM Pramod Sawant
Panaji: Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant says he has read parts of both the Quran and the Bible.
Speaking at an Eid-e-Milad function late on Sunday night, Sawant advocated equality of all religions and said that his government doesn’t discriminate between faiths.
“Quran is in Urdu, I asked for a copy in Hindi and began reading it. The Bible is written in English, Bhagavad Gita is written in English, Hindi and Marathi. I wanted to know what is there written in the Quran. I was curious to read it,” Sawant said.
“I have not read it fully yet. I have read just some of the lessons in the Quran... just as I have read some parts of the Bible. I have already read the Bhagavad Gita. I am also trying to read the Bible,” he added.
“In the Quran, humans are ranked above all other species. But, neither the Quran nor the Bible or the Bhagavad Gita say that other religions should be defamed and derided. The Quran does say our religion is superior than most, but also adds that other religions should also be respected,” Sawant said.
Though there were restrictions in the state under Section 144 on account of the Ayodhya case verdict, the administration allowed religious processions of the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad after the community made a request to this effect to the chief minister.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also extolled the practice of the Uniform Civil Code in Goa, adding that there was no discrimination between any communities in the coastal state.
Courtesy: www.hindustantimes.com
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
