Culture

Faith Knows No Religion: Banke Bihari Temple again rejects boycott call against Muslim artisans and businesses

Banke Bihari Priests reject boycott calls against Muslim artisans and businesses, hail Muslim artisans as vital to temple traditions, embrace unity over division, and uphold faith as the highest virtue in Brijmandal—where even Raskhan sang for Krishna, and craftsmen of all faiths continue to serve the divine with devotion, senior priest said "Bhakti is supreme in Brijmandal. If someone has faith and comes for darshan, why should we oppose it?"

Breaking silences makes civilisations heal: theatre director, Sunil Shanbag

In this thought-provoking essay, the theatre director producer of 45 years explores multiple worlds, political, artistic and personal

Art must mirror an urgent need, the personal and the political: Asmit Pathare

In this powerful essay of self-expression, theatre and film director, Asmit Pathare explores the challenging world of a young artist challenged by deep schisms in society, driven deeper by a politics that thrives on division and repression.

Lord Ram, in my sixth letter I appeal to your diverse forms

This is the sixth letter in a series: the writer's point is to emphasise the importance of diverse perspectives, critical thinking, and open discourse when portraying Lord Ram and discussing his significance in Hindu culture. The writer criticises the limited perspective in a recently released film and contrasts it with the nuanced portrayal in the Sanskrit play "Uttara Rama Charita." The writer advocates for embracing multiple interpretations of Lord Ram's character, highlighting the dangers of dogmatism and the need for inclusive dialogue to safeguard societal harmony and progress.

Chokhamela’s Bhakti: the past transforms into a radical present

A poet-philosopher of an inclusive tradition, Chokhamela experienced the bitter exclusion of caste, yet persisted in his questioning spirituality, adding to the rich variety in this centuries’old tradition, the Warkari (Varkari) devotional movement of Maharashtra

Muslim bullied at Madina for his Indian Islamic practice

Noticing a thread tied around the old man’s wrist, the protagonist, Shaikh Muzaffar Madni, ridiculed the practice and said it was a “non-Muslim practice” he had imbibed

Hindu temple faces backlash for demanding removal of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s picture from dance institute’s program

After this decision backfires, an apology was issued, the chief of the temple authorities said it was a “wrong guess” on their part

Political Power & narrow vision demonising Muslims, destroying harmony & defaming Varkari tradition says Sant Suhas Maharaj Phadtare: Trimbakeshwar row

The dhoop arti tradition at the Trimbakeshwar mandir is being demonised by narrow vested political interests, a cruel Brahminical tradition that cannot tolerate social harmony and syncretic culture says the renowned Varkari saint-philosopher from Satara, Suhas Maharasj Phadtare

SIT to probe Muslims offering respect from steps of Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra ?

A controversy has been created over a ritual being...

Reflections on a newly opened ‘cultural centre’ by the Ambanis in Mumbai

A walk through the newly opened Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre leaves the author with more questions than answers

Trending

Related VIDEOS

ALL STORIES

ALL STORIES

How Indian commercial media channels are using the provocative thumbnail to boost viewers and worse, provoke vicarious viewer response

Visual perception is an inherently selective process and Indian commercial television channels, faced with adverse orders from the NBDSA are now leveraging on misleading click-baits, problematic visuals and texts on the thumbnail of the video displayed: the CJP HW team asks is this a new technique to incite vicarious reactions but escape the monitoring rap and scrutiny?

Poonch Victims: Civilians as targets of shelling

Four minors fell victim to the shelling while a hymn singer, tabla player, shopkeeper and homemaker were also killed and a gurdwara was also struck and suffered damage to its wall; hasty irresponsible reportage included slurring of an innocent civilian killed as a ‘terrorist’; preliminary reportage has counted the victims in Poonch alone to be 15 though numbers are expected to rise further

Faith Knows No Religion: Banke Bihari Temple again rejects boycott call against Muslim artisans and businesses

Banke Bihari Priests reject boycott calls against Muslim artisans and businesses, hail Muslim artisans as vital to temple traditions, embrace unity over division, and uphold faith as the highest virtue in Brijmandal—where even Raskhan sang for Krishna, and craftsmen of all faiths continue to serve the divine with devotion, senior priest said "Bhakti is supreme in Brijmandal. If someone has faith and comes for darshan, why should we oppose it?"

‘Reforms’: Sachar Committee, the 2013 Amendments and the motive behind the proposed changes in the Waqf Regime

While, like instant triple talaq and Uniform Civil Code (UCC), more stringent regulations on Waqf properties have figured in the BJP’s electoral manifestos in 1998 and 2009; the specific amendments have the potential to be the means for property grab and control of what has historically and legally been established as minority land holdings 

Madrasi Camp Demolition: CPI(M) Delhi Demands Halt to Evictions, Rehab Within 5 Km

Reminding BJP of its promise of “Jahan Jhuggi, Wahaan Makaan”, the CPI(M) said over 400 working-class families in the 60-year-old slum cluster were evicted despite valid documents.

Judicial Setback: Supreme Court dilutes Bombay HC’s bold stand on police accountability in custodial killing in Badlapur case

Despite strong Bombay High Court censure over police inaction in custodial death in the Badlapur fake encounter case, the Supreme Court dilutes key safeguards by handing probe back to State’s top police officer—raising serious concerns over institutional accountability

A System Under Strain: India’s police and prisons in crisis shows Indian Justice Report 2025

With shocking shortfalls in staffing, training, diversity, and basic human rights, the report paints a damning picture of systemic collapse — calling for urgent reform to rescue India’s crumbling justice infrastructure

“Nothing but an abuse of the process of law”: SC bars second Foreigners Tribunal case against same person, reinforces finality of citizenship verdicts

In Tarabhanu Khatoon v. Union of India, the Supreme Court quashed a second Foreigners Tribunal case by terming it as an abuse of process, reinforcing legal finality and protecting citizens from arbitrary harassment