The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, addressed the controversy surrounding his earlier remark about praying to God for a solution to the Ayodhya dispute. He clarified that his faith does not affect his ability to deliver justice to people of different religions. During a recent event in his village, the CJI stated that seeking guidance from divine powers is not the job of judges and called out those who misinterpreted his statement. Chandrachud reiterated that every person has their own way of finding peace and his personal faith does not interfere with his duties as a judge.
More than 20,000 people were killed and half a million were left homeless after a powerful earthquake hit the Indian state of Gujarat in 2002. Among the affected were 150 Hindu families in the remote village of Mavnugam, whose homes were destroyed. Almost two years later, thanks to a church-led effort, the villagers now have a new village with earthquake-proof homes, a school, health center, and other amenities. This project was made possible by funds raised by international partner churches and was inaugurated on a special day for the Church of North India.
In an intense exchange of fire between police and suspected militants in Manipur, 10 people were killed, including a CRPF jawan, marking the highest number of fatalities in a single day this year. The incident occurred in the Jiribam district, close to the hills of the Hmar community, one of the tribes involved in the ongoing conflict in the state. The violence comes days after the killing of a woman from the Hmar community, with a group representing armed Hmars claiming that those killed in the exchange of fire were "village volunteers" retaliating against her death. The situation remains tense in the district, with indefinite prohibitory orders issued by the district administration.
The killing of two village defence committee (VDC) members by terrorists in the forest areas of J&K's Kishtwar district has sparked outrage, with political leaders such as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta condemning the act. The VDC members, who were initially given .303 rifles, have now been equipped with automatic weapons to better defend against the terrorists. However, this has made them targets for the terrorists, with incidents like this highlighting the ongoing security concerns in the region.
In a tragic incident, two village defence guards were kidnapped and shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. This attack comes in the wake of a grenade explosion at a Sunday market in Srinagar that left 12 people injured. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has appealed to security forces to take swift action and put an end to the recent spate of attacks in the Union Territory.
The 2021 Mumbai Film Festival has revealed the line-up for its South Asia competition section, featuring 11 titles from India and neighboring countries. Among the Indian titles vying for the top prize are Rima Das' acclaimed film 'Village Rockstars 2' and multiple award-winner 'Girls Will Be Girls' by Shuchi Talati. Other highlights include the UK's Oscar submission 'Santosh' and Cannes Grand Prix winner 'All We Imagine As Light'. Board member and renowned filmmaker Shivendra Singh Dungarpur will lead the stripped-down festival, which runs from October 19-24.
As voters across America begin casting their ballots for the 2020 US presidential election, the tiny community of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire, known for being the first to vote, also shared a tied outcome between Trump and Harris. In his last campaign efforts, Trump continues his fear-mongering narrative about immigrants while also promising to lead America to "new heights of glory." At 78, Trump is the oldest nominee ever to run for president and his controversial tenure has not deterred his supporters, making the election results all the more unpredictable. With major implications for international affairs, this election is one to watch closely.
A suspected cult attack in a remote village in Uganda has left at least eight people dead, including a young child. The assault, which occurred on Tuesday night, was carried out by a new cult group that targeted their own family members. The Uganda People's Defence Forces and the police have responded to the incident, killing two of the attackers. This shocking and tragic event has left the community in mourning and searching for answers.
In his recent address, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud revealed that he had prayed to God for a solution to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute and asserted that faith can lead to a resolution. He reminisced about his involvement in the case and the significant verdict delivered back in 2019. While being felicitated in his native village, he encouraged everyone to have faith in God for finding solutions to difficult situations.
In a village in Karnataka, a recent court judgment has brought a sense of justice to Dalits who were victims of a 2014 caste-related incident. However, with almost all upper caste households having at least one person implicated in the case, there is also a growing anxiety about the future. The village, which has a diverse population, still faces issues of untouchability, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in India.