World Hindu Cong embraces term Hindutva
Bangkok, Nov 24: The World Hindu Congress on Friday renounced the word Hinduism, contending that the term reflected oppressive and discriminatory and embraced Hindutva and Hindu Dharma to refer to the “eternal” religion. The third World Hindu Congress (WHC) adopted a declaration here asserting that the word Hindutva was more accurate as it includes the gamut of all that the word ‘Hindu’ implies. “In the term “Hindu Dharma”, the first word, i.e, ‘Hindu’ is an unbounded word. It signifies all that is Sanatan or Eternal. And then there is Dharma, which means ‘That, which sustains’,” read the declaration adopted at the end of the first day of deliberations of the WHC. It said that in contrast, Hinduism is totally different because it is suffixed with an “ism”, which is a term defined as an oppressive and discriminatory attitude or belief. “It is for such reasons that many of our elders preferred the term “Hindutva” over Hinduism as the former is a more accurate term since it includes the gamut (spectrum) of all that the word “Hindu” implies. The assertion in the declaration came against the backdrop of a row that erupted after DMK leaders made certain controversial remarks about Sanatan Dharma at a symposium with the theme ‘Abolition of Sanatana’. The declaration said that Hindutva was not a complicated word. (PTI)
Pakistan confirms making request to join BRICS
Islamabad, Nov 24: The Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed that the nation has made a formal request to join the BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa – bloc, saying it is an important group of developing countries. “We have taken this decision after having noted the BRICS proclaimed openness to inclusive multilateralism,” Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch as saying at a media briefing. By joining the group, Pakistan can play an important role in furthering international cooperation and revitalisation of inclusive multilateralism, she said. Pakistan enjoys friendly ties with most of the members of BRICS, as well as the newly invited group of countries, the spokesperson added. (IANS)
Ukrainian PM, EU official discuss border blockade
Kiev, Nov 24: Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he had an online meeting with European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis to discuss the blockade of the Ukrainian border with some European Union (EU) countries. Ukraine has outlined its proposals on the issue to the EU and is counting on the European Commission’s help in resolving the problem, Shmyhal wrote on Facebook. Ukraine is also rapidly developing alternative logistics routes for its exports and imports, Xinhua news agency quoted the Prime Minister as saying. Since November 6, Polish carriers have been staging protests at several checkpoints on the Ukrainian border, demanding the return of the permit regime for Ukrainian haulers crossing into the EU. The protesters blocked roads near the crossing points, which resulted in large queues, with thousands of trucks being stalled at the border. The EU canceled permits for Ukrainian haulers last year. (IANS)