"I want to thank Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Karnataka's leader Pralhad Joshi ji...this is a historic decision...I thank PM also," Somanna told ANI while paying tribute to Basaveshwara.
"Today is Guru Basaveshwara Jayanti...we call him Basava Anna, which means brother; he has been a brother to everyone. He opposed the caste system and rose above the same to discuss equality. He brought equality among all the castes; he was a Brahmin, but he worked for the backward classe
"A statue of Guru Basaveshwara has been unveiled at Prerna Sthal. So many people have come here to see it, from Karnataka and many other places, so I feel so happy," Rijiju told ANI here.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Speaker Harivansh Narayan Singh, Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, Kiren Rijiju, Pralhad Joshi, Shobha Karandlaje and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya among other leaders on Wednesday paid floral tribute to social reformer and founder of Lingayat tradition, Guru Basaveshwara at Parlia
In a post on X, the Union Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India remains committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless Haj pilgrimage. He also prayed for a safe, blessed and spiritually enriching pilgrimage.
The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) Delhi will be holding for the first time an exposition of the sacred Buddha Relic of Sarnath in Vietnam during the gala celebrations of the United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak 2025.
The Congress party had recently posted an image of PM Modi titled "Gayab," implying his absence during the recently held all-party meeting in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Since then, the post drew sharp criticism across the BJP and many of its coalition partners.
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian and Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Joshua De Souza, who are part of the official Indian delegation, also attended the ceremony.
President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to Pope Francis at the Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on Friday, along with senior Indian ministers, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday departed for Vatican City to attend the State Funeral of Pope Francis. Accompanying her on this visit are Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju; Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry
Rijiju said that the delegation also includes Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries George Kurian and Goa's Deputy Speaker Joshua Peter De Souza.
Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Congress President, Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi were among other prominent leaders who attended today's meeting.