[Assam] HPI, -New Hindu Priests -caste free

Fri Oct 6 15:20:05 PDT 2006

Hindu Press International <hpi.list at hindu.org> wrote:               October 4, 2006 

   Jail Minister in Madhya Pradesh Proposes New Methods to Reform Prisoners  
   Dalits Bypass Priests  
   Jains Dispute Legislation Including Them as "Hindus"  
   Ramakrishna Mission Doctor Suggests Allopathic Doctors Prescribe Ayurvedic Medicine  
   Second Edition of Online News Magazine Available

    1. Jail Minister in Madhya Pradesh Proposes New Methods to Reform Prisoners  www.ibnlive.com
  MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA, September 24, 2006: Jail Minister Dhal Singh Bisen wants to try a different approach to bring down the crime rate in Madhya Pradesh's overcrowded prisons. Firstly, Bisen wants the inmates to participate in rajpurohit training which is a training course for priests. Secondly, Bisen has proposed that the jails themselves be restructured to reflect the principles of Vaastu, the ancient science of architecture. Thirdly, the jail department wants to build family jails to house well-behaved prisoners. Bisen believes that these positive changes will "bring out the goodness in prisoners". An unnamed senior police official says, "It is difficult to tackle hardcore criminals. There is a shortage of staff and we have to work under tremendous pressure. This has led to many jailbreaks in the past two years." The news release adds, "Most jails are packed five times their capacity. Of the 30,000 prisoners lodged in the 128 jails of the state, 10,000 are serving
 long terms. So, maybe Bisen's reform plans could actually make a difference to the lives of these prisoners and help them turn a new leaf."

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    2. Dalits Bypass Priests  epaper.hindustantimes.com
  INDIA, October 2, 2006: Deep in the heartland of Uttar Pradesh, in dozens of villages across the state, Dalits (or Untouchables) have stopped depending on Brahmin priests for weddings, funerals and other ceremonies. Instead, they have turned to a Buddhism-inspired book which has rituals that can be performed by any literate person. The wide use of the Bhim Patra, named after Bhimrao Ambedkar, is part of a quiet rebellion against uppercaste domination. Weddings are now being performed before a statue of Ambedkar. The ceremony is inexpensive and takes only a couple of hours. The bride and the groom light candles, take wedding vows and garland each other. The Bhim Patra also has instructions on funerals and other ceremonies. "We are all Hindus; we have not converted," said Mohan Lal Gautam, who sells books at a traffic intersection in Lucknow. "But we have stopped following the old rituals. We follow the Bhim Patra. There is no pandit, no worship of gods and goddesses, no
 dowry and no auspicious time for any wedding." Priests are feeling the heat. "Dalits have mostly stopped coming to us. They conduct their own ceremonies," said Jagdamba Prasad Bajai, a priest at Deora village, Lucknow.

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    3. Jains Dispute Legislation Including Them as "Hindus"  cities.expressindia.com
  AHMEDABAD, INDIA, September 28, 2006: (HPI adds: India's constitution designates, for the purpose of law, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, as part of Hinduism.) Modi continues to court controversy, states this article. This time, it is his Government's decision to include Jainism into the Hindu fold that has unleashed a debate among the community members. While Ahmedabad witnessed dharnas (akin to "sit -ins") and agitations, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara remained relatively quiet. In Ahmedabad, this decision is not welcomed by community leaders. According to Shobhagmal Kataria, president of Bharat Jain Maha Mandal (Gujarat), the main issue is the Government has termed Jainism as one of the denominations of Hinduism. "We have no problem people converting from Jainism to Hinduism or vice-versa. But to say that Jainism and Buddhism are part of Hinduism is ridiculous. It seems that the Government is not aware of reality," he said. At a dharna held at the Town Hall o n Thursday,
 members of Jain and Buddhist communities gathered under the banner of 'Committee to Fight Against Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act' to register their protest.

In other areas, Jains are split on the bill. "Jains have welcomed the Bill. Jainism is very much part of Hinduism. I do not see any protest in this regard," said Vijay Rupani. Leading businessmen are also in support of the Modi Government. "We support the Bill. There is nothing wrong in it," said Chandrakant Sheth, a businessman and a Jain leader from Rajkot. Sheth added, "The Modi government had the consent of Jain leaders before taking the step. In Surat, Jain leaders claimed that Jainism and Hinduism run parallel to each other and Vadodara has remained quiet. For the full article on the controversy, click on the url above.

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    4. Ramakrishna Mission Doctor Suggests Allopathic Doctors Prescribe Ayurvedic Medicine  www.chennaionline.com
  ITANAGAR, INDIA, October 2, 2006: The local Ramakrishna Mission Hospital has suggested Parliament pass a law allowing allopathic physicians to prescribe ayurvedic medicine. The general secretary of the 200 bed hospital, Swami Viswatmananda, said as per a Supreme Court directive, an allopathic doctors cannot prescribe ayurvedic medicine all though many were aware that some diseases can be easily cured with ayurvedic and other system of medicines. He said he was aware that a local herb worked well in healing complex bone fractures, however it cannot be used in his hospital because of the Supreme Court order.

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    5. Second Edition of Online News Magazine Available  www.hinduyuva.org
  SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, October 2, 2006: The second edition of Seattle's first online Hindu newsletter, is now available. Their aim is "to gain a better understanding of the most ancient culture thriving on this planet. It offers us an opportunity to share our ideas about it as well as inspire others." To subscribe go to URL above. 

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