Karnataka village without Muslims observes Muharram
Belagavi, Aug 9: As has been the practice for years now, a village in this district with no Muslim family observed Muharram this year, too, with local Hindus leading from the front.
Seen as a sign of religious harmony and brotherhood, several villages in northern Karnataka have a similar practice, where both Hindus and Muslims together observe Muharram.
There are several villages like this Hirebidanur village in Saundatti taluk of Belagavi district, where the practice has been kept alive despite not having any Muslim family, say local residents.
Hirebidanur, a village with nearly 3,000 people, about 50 km from here, has a dargah of 'Fakireshwar Swami' revered by the villagers; a Hindu man offers prayers and worship every day as a priest as per his religious traditions.
A family member of Yallappa Naikar, who offers prayer at the dargah every day, said, "On all other days we do (worship), while for Muharram, prayers and rituals are followed as per the Islamic traditions by a Muslim priest (moulvi) from a nearby village of Bevinakatti."
Umeshwar Maragal, who is from the village, told PTI that the custom of establishing 'Panja' (a religious symbol) and observing Muharram for five days at the Fakireshwar dargah, which Hindus call temple and perform pooja, has been in practice for many years.
On account of Muharram, five different rituals and practices are followed, and the village gets illuminated till the place where the 'Panja' is kept. Jadeppa Mandannavar, another resident of the village, said, "Many women pray to these Gods for childbirth. It is further believed that all desires of the devotees will be fulfilled..."
The dargah is said to have been constructed long ago by Muslim brothers and following their death the villagers have been taking care of it, offering prayers and observing Muharram.
Several practices like people walking on a bed of hot charcoal usually followed at local temple fairs are followed during Muharram.
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Former diplomat, politicians come out in support of FS Misri after he faces online trolling
New Delhi (PTI): Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who faced trolling on social media in the wake of India and Pakistan reaching an understanding on May 10 to halt all military actions, received support from veteran diplomat Nirupama Menon Rao and politicians Asaduddin Owaisi and Akhilesh Yadav.
Samajwadi Party chief Yadav wrote a long post on X in Hindi and said, such statements break the morale of honest officers who work day and night dedicated to the country.
"It is the government's responsibility to make decisions - not individual officers. Some anti-social criminal elements are openly crossing all limits of abusive language against the officer and his family, but neither the BJP government nor any of its ministers are coming forward to protect his honour and respect or discussing possible action against those who make such unwanted posts," wrote Yadav.
India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that brought the two countries teetering on the edge of a full-scale war.
Making the announcement on Saturday evening, Foreign Secretary Misri said the director generals of military operations of India and Pakistan agreed on the understanding during a call on Saturday afternoon, and the next talks are scheduled at 12 noon on May 12.
The announcement came shortly after US President Donald Trump in a surprise social media post claimed that the talks between the two sides were "mediated" by the US.
Former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon called the trolling of the senior diplomat "utterly shameful" and said it "crosses every line of decency"
"It's utterly shameful to troll Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his family over the India-Pakistan ceasefire announcement. A dedicated diplomat, Misri has served India with professionalism and resolve, and there is no ground whatsoever for his vilification.
"Doxxing his daughter and abusing his loved ones crosses every line of decency. This toxic hate must stop—stand united behind our diplomats, not tear them down. #StopTrollingMisri #SupportDiplomats #VikramMisri #IndianDiplomacy #NoToDoxxing," she posted on X.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Owaisi also came out strongly in support of Misri on Sunday.
"Mr Vikram Misri is a decent, honest, hard-working diplomat working tirelessly for our nation. Our civil servants work under the executive this must be remembered & they shouldn't be blamed for the decisions taken by the executive or any political leadership running Watan E Aziz," he posted on X.
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