All stories by SYED FIRDAUS ASHRAF
Was Lord Hanuman a Dalit?
Rediff.com30 Nov 2018'Valmiki has not written anything about Hanuman's caste.' 'I want to clarify that Hanuman was not a Vanar, but an Adivasi.'
'Muslims ready to give up Babri claim, their leaders are not'
Rediff.com23 Nov 2018'Today, the situation in the country is bad.' 'The distance between Hindus and Muslims is increasing.' 'If an out-of-court settlement is reached, then a cordial atmosphere will prevail in the country.'
'Punjab police has busted 16 terror modules in 6 months'
Rediff.com22 Nov 2018'You bust one module and another one comes up.'
'Governor's decision was politically motivated'
Rediff.com22 Nov 2018'If two regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir find common ground to rule the state, they would have given a more stable and efficient government.' 'This was a good possibility of restoring peace in Kashmir.' 'If you really wanted to give peace a chance, we should have allowed them to form a government.'
'Are farmers goondas?'
Rediff.com20 Nov 2018'This is not the right way to speak about farmers. How can Kumaraswamy call farmers goondas?'
'I trust Rahul Gandhi and he is great'
Rediff.com17 Nov 2018'The culture of the BJP has changed and the party too has changed with this new culture. 'The BJP is having bad political management, bad man management, personal management and inter-personal relationships.' 'Therefore, people like me are not in the BJP.'
'I am not scared to enter Sabarimala'
Rediff.com17 Nov 2018'I am a Hindu and I love Hindu religion. Hindu religion gives high status and respect to women.' 'And if there are some reforms in Hindu religion, then there is nothing wrong in it.' 'I am not trying to hurt Hindu sentiments.'
'Won't come back till I enter Sabarimala'
Rediff.com16 Nov 2018'If we do not enter the temple, then history won't be made and all wrong rituals will get continue to be followed.' 'If they resort to violence against women and abuse them, how can they be Ayyappa Swamy's bhakts?'
Yogis, Sufis and Hindustani civilisation
Rediff.com12 Nov 2018'The osmosis between Hinduism and Islam that really gave birth to the Hindustani or Indo-Islamic civilisation was due to the conversation between Muslim mystics and yogis.'
What happens to BJP MP's private bill on Ayodhya?
Rediff.com12 Nov 2018'If Rakesh Sinha introduces the bill, but it does not pass the Rajya Sabha in six years, then the bill will lapse.'
'Fighting corruption is like a second freedom struggle'
Rediff.com5 Nov 2018'We have to rise over our divisions.' 'Divisions within us allow unscrupulous politicians to divert attention from issues like corruption and governance.'
'Maharashtra govt was sleeping'
Rediff.com2 Nov 2018'Instead of doing ground work they are sitting and monitoring the drought through Mantralaya and trying to solve the problem with Aamir Khan.'
'I thought I was going to die in two minutes'
Rediff.com31 Oct 2018'The Naxals started firing indiscriminately.' 'The whole jungle echoed with the sound of bullets.' 'The only thing I heard from that side was 'Chhodna kisi ko nahi (don't let anyone escape)'.'
'CBI has been reduced to a mockery'
Rediff.com26 Oct 2018'These officers should have sat together and sorted things out.' 'And if things were not working out amicably then the other organisations which control the CBI -- be it the CVC or the prime minister's office or even the home ministry -- someone should have gone ahead and solved these problems rather than reducing it to this farcical situation.'
'Maharashtra govt is doing this to outdo Patel statue'
Rediff.com26 Oct 2018'The Statue of Unity is wasteful expenditure, but engineering-wise they have chosen the right place and correct spot. It is a simple statue and well executed.' 'Here, the government has chosen a wrong spot. They have chosen a wrong design.' 'The Shivaji Maharaj statue is holding a sword and the length of that sword is 48 metres, which is equivalent to a 16-storey building!'
'Alok Verma was also playing politics'
Rediff.com25 Oct 2018'Alok Verma can say he was helpless, but he could have made representations to the CVC, the Chief Justice of India or the prime minister in writing.' 'He could have told them that his number 2 was not cooperating and is corrupt, but he did not do that.' 'He acted arbitrarily and in a hurried manner, overnight.'
'Hindiuism is inclusive, assimilative and based on dialogue'
Rediff.com23 Oct 2018'It is exceptionally important for Hindus to once again get in touch with the foundation of Hinduism.' 'Aggressive evangelists are reducing Hinduism to its lowest common denominator.'
'Piyush Goyal must resign on moral grounds'
Rediff.com19 Oct 2018'Piyush Goyal is the chief and it is always the chief who is considered to be responsible.'
'Women entering Sabarimala will disturb devotees' mental peace'
Rediff.com17 Oct 2018'Because of the Supreme Court judgment, I am being denied my freedom of religion.'
Why Bhim Army does not want Ravan to burn
Rediff.com16 Oct 2018'Nowhere is it written in the Constitution that Ravan's effigy must be burnt.'