National
SC asks if states must fund repairs of riot-damaged religious structure
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked whether Gujarat High Court, in exercise of its powers, could command the state government to fund the restoration and repair of the religious structures that were damaged in the post-Godhra riots in 2002.
Describing it as debatable, a bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Prafulla C. Pant said: “What is troubling us is whether a state because of law and order problem can be commanded to fund (the repair and restoration) of a temple, mosque, church gurudwara or other kinds of places of worship under Article 21.”
Its stand came in the course of the hearing of a petition by Gujarat government challenging a the high court order directing it to compensate for damages caused to religious structures during the 2002 riots for the failure of law and order machinery to protect them from rampaging mobs.
It also sought to examined whether a high court, in exercising its powers under the constitution’s article 226, can direct a state government to compensate for damages caused to religious places during riots or natural calamities and whether the taxpayers’ money could be used for the purpose.
The court’s query came in the course of the hearing when Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for Gujarat government told the court that high court could not direct the state to compensate funds for the repair and restoration of riot-damaged religious structures.
Assailing the high court order, Mehta said that there was a fundamental right to preach, profess and propagate the religious beliefs but places of worship were not covered under the fundamental rights and article 27 prohibits the state from using money from the state exchequer for religious structures.
“This is against the very fabric of the secure constitution,” he maintained.
However, senior counsel Y.H.Muchhale appearing for the respondent NGO IRCG on whose petition the high court had given the order under challenge contested the Gujarat government’s position.
Muchhale will continue addressing the court on Thursday.
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.