The Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, Canada, suspended and later reinstated Priest Rajinder Parsad after his controversial speech urging Hindu unity following an attack by pro-Khalistani protesters on Diwali weekend. The priest had warned that division among Hindus would lead to destruction. His suspension and reinstatement followed a review by the temple’s board.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern over a pro-Khalistan attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, calling it "deeply concerning." The incident involved clashes between protesters and temple-goers, leading to multiple arrests. Both Indian and Canadian leaders condemned the violence, with India urging Canada to protect places of worship and prosecute the perpetrators.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will not support any laws that hurt Muslim interests, says TDP leader Nawab Jan. At a rally, Jan called for unity against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, highlighting Naidu's dedication to fairness and the well-being of all communities.
Bollineni Rajgopal Naidu, the new Chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, pushed back against Asaduddin Owaisi for comparing the temple board to the waqf board. Naidu emphasized the plan to hire only Hindus at the temple, addressed concerns about the quality of offerings, and showed support for a Sanatana Dharma Board while rejecting false information about the TTD.
At least 10 people were hurt when terrorists tossed a grenade into a busy Sunday market in Srinagar. This attack happened near the Tourist Reception Centre, just a day after security forces killed a commander from the Lashkar-e-Taiba group. Local officials condemned the violence and stressed the need for better security.
Diwali celebrations in the United States included President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who emphasized the festival's importance. Before the upcoming presidential elections, Harris shared a video that focused on good triumphing over evil and the value of knowledge. The White House also celebrated Indian-Americans for their contributions to US-India relations.
More than 150 people were hurt, with eight in serious condition, during a fireworks accident at a temple festival in Kasaragod, Kerala. The incident happened around 12:30 am during the annual Kaliyattam festival at the Anjootambalam Veerarkavu Temple.
Diwali 2024 is being debated for its celebration date, with many astrologers suggesting October 31 for Lakshmi Puja. Schools are planning holidays on both days, and the festival represents the victory of light over darkness.
A woman guard at AIIMS Delhi has accused the chief security officer of sexual harassment, sparking an internal investigation by the hospital management. The guard says the officer made inappropriate advances during a chat about her duty roster, leading her to file a formal complaint. A report from the inquiry is expected in about a week.
Badruddin Ajmal, the AIUDF chief, has sparked some serious buzz by claiming that the Parliament and several spots in Delhi are built on Waqf land. His comments got Union Minister Kiren Rijiju fired up, who stressed the importance of safeguarding Waqf properties for the community's benefit, especially as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is up for debate.