BJP mixing politics with religion: Sonia

          New Delhi, Mar 28: Sonia Gandhi, president of Congress party, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of playing up religious passions in the political turf. Addressing a meeting of the party's block-level heads here on Friday, she warned that mixing religion and politics would be a bad omen for the body politic.

           Ms. Gandhi charged the BJP, which leads a 23-party ruling coalition, with inciting religious rhetoric along with its radical Hindu affiliates, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other Hindu groups. "I feel that Hindu religion is very moderate and open to diversities. Its definition, as propounded by RSS, Bajrang Dal, VHP and BJP, is not at all in consonance with the philosophy and concept of this great religion. Congress workers object to the use of religion for political ends," she observed.

           For the first time, Congress is holding this kind of national convention of block party presidents. The main aim is to interact with party workers and to plan campaigns for the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. "Congress Ka Haath, Garib Ke Saath" is the slogan for the convention, which would be followed by a public rally here on March 30, to be addressed by Ms Gandhi.

Sena protest against massacre of Pandits (Go To Top)

          New Delhi, Mar 28: Shiv Sena activists took out a procession in New Delhi on Friday to protest against the killing of 24 Hindu Pandits by suspected militants in Kashmir's Nadi Marg village on March 23.

           The militants, disguised in army fatigues, had ordered the Hindus out of their homes, lined them up and shot them. New Delhi has blamed the massacre on Pakistan. Protesters holding placards shouted anti-Pakistan slogans. Jai Bhagwan Goel, head of Delhi wing of the Shiv Sena, demanded that the State administration be handed over to Central Government.

           "We demand immediate suspension of the Mufti (Mohammad Sayeed) Government. The Government must think about the security of the people living in Kashmir and their security should be handed over to army. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is working as a Pakistani agent. The Hindu community there is not safe and there is no law and order there," said Goel.

           At least 400,000 Hindus have already fled the Kashmir Valley, the largest migration since the 1947 partition of the sub-continent.

Satellite townships for Jammu to ease congestion (Go To Top)

          Jammu, Mar 28: "Two satellite townships at Majeen and Rangoore and a residential colony at Tarore on the outskirts of Jammu city will be built soon at an estimated cost of Rs 17 crore to accommodate the State's growing population. The satellite townships would be spread over 1,700 canals while the residential colony would come up over 4,000 canals, according to Minister of Tourism, Housing and Urban Development Ghulam Hassan Mir, who announced the plan on Friday.

Casey Affleck's star is on the rise (Go To Top)

          Washington, Mar 28: The star of budding US actor Casey Affleck is definitely on the rise. The younger brother of Oscar winner Ben Affleck has landed a role in 'the World of Tomorrow,' an independent sci-fi thriller. Other cast members include British heart-throb Jude Law, and Oscar-winning US actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie. The film, believed to be similar to Harrison Ford's classic 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' revolves around Paltrow and Law, who go on an adventure just before the start of World War II. Casey plays Dex, a technical genius and right hand man to Law's aviator hero, reports Teenhollywood.com.

Nude shots of Madonna to be restored in 'Swept Away' DVD (Go To Top)

          London, Mar 28: A sizzling beach scene with Madonna in the nude was never seen by her fans in the the Razzies worst movie of the year 'Swept Away'. But armchair viewers get to see them restored in the DVD version - to be released in May, reports the Sun. Shots include the singer lying in the sand beside Italian co-star Adriano Giannini, were cut from the last year's box office flop directed by hubby Guy Ritchie, also named the worst director. A source close to Madonna, whose hits include 'Papa Don't Preach', said: "She and Guy were quite keen for the nude scenes to be cut for cinemas. "When she sees these shots she won't be too happy. But for a mum of two aged 44, she looks in fantastic shape."