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Koodalmanikyam Temple: Non-Hindu Bharatanatyam dancer denied permission to perform in Kerala temple, two others withdraw in solidarity

A 27-year-old Mansiya VP, a Bharatanatyam performer from Kerala has been denied permission to perform in Thrissur’s Koodalmanikyam temple because she is a non-Hindu.

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4 years ago

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Koodalmanikyam Temple

A 27-year-old Mansiya VP, a Bharatanatyam performer from Kerala has been denied permission to perform in Thrissur’s Koodalmanikyam temple because she is a non-Hindu. After facing backlash from the community, two dancers Devika Sajeevan and Anju Aravind who were scheduled to perform at this temple have pulled out in solidarity with Mansiya VP.

Mansiya was slated to perform Bharatanatyam on April 21 during the Koodalmanikyam Temple Festival in Irinjalakuda, Kerala. However, on March 27, she received a call from temple officials informing her that she might be unable to perform at the event. The Koodalmanikyam dance and music festival, which takes place on a pandal stretched over 12 acres of the temple premises, welcomes about 800 performers from nine states, including Kerala.

According to the Temple authorities, they had placed a newspaper ad inviting only Hindu artists. They were unaware of Mansiya’s religious background when she was selected. They say that Mansiya cannot perform at the temple as non-Hindus are not allowed inside Sanctum sanctorum.

Mansiya V P, who holds a doctorate in Bharatanatyam, was born in a Muslim family but claims of following no religion. She further said that her husband and family live in the Hindu way but she doesn’t follow any religion. Mansiya, who is married to musician Shyam Kalyan, claimed she has had to deal with the wrath of the Muslim community due to her passion for dance.

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Mansiya took to Facebook to express her disappointment at being denied entry to the prestigious event. She said one of the temple office-bearers informed her that she cannot perform at the temple as she is a non-Hindu. All stages are allotted based on religion, not considering whether you are a good dancer or not, she added.

This is not the first time Mansiya has faced this. Her family was boycotted by the mahallu committee in Vallumvambram of Malappuram district after she became a Bharatanatyam dancer. The local mosque had even refused to perform the last rites of her mother who died of Cancer.

Now, interestingly Vishva Hindu Parishad has thrown its support behind Mansiya and has invited her to perform at the Pavakkulam temple in Kochi.

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Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant among 32 inducted in Bihar cabinet expansion

Nishant Kumar entered the Bihar cabinet for the first time as 32 ministers from NDA allies took oath in a major expansion of the state government.

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2 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Bihar government cabinet

A major cabinet expansion took place in Bihar on Thursday, with 32 leaders from the ruling NDA alliance inducted into the state government. Among the prominent names was Nishant Kumar, son of former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who entered the cabinet for the first time.

The expansion included representatives from all major NDA allies in the state. According to reports, the BJP secured 15 ministerial berths, while JD(U) got 13 positions. Two ministers were inducted from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha received one berth each.

The oath-taking ceremony was held in Patna in the presence of senior NDA leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Nishant Kumar’s induction comes weeks after he formally entered active politics. His entry into the Bihar cabinet is being viewed as a significant development for JD(U), which had long projected an anti-dynasty image under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

The cabinet reshuffle follows Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year and the formation of the government led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

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PM Modi marks Operation Sindoor anniversary, calls it India’s firm stand against terrorism

PM Modi said Operation Sindoor showcased India’s firm response against terrorism while paying tribute to the armed forces on the operation’s first anniversary.

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7 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm response against terrorism and highlighted the country’s commitment to national security.

Marking one year of the operation, the Prime Minister praised the courage, precision and professionalism of the Indian armed forces. He said the military action was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that had claimed the lives of 26 civilians in 2025.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, as a calibrated tri-services operation targeting terror infrastructure linked to cross-border terrorism. Reports said the operation showcased coordinated action by the armed forces and was seen as a major counter-terror response by India.

On the anniversary of the operation, PM Modi also changed the display pictures across his social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The image carried the text “Operation Sindoor” along with the Indian tricolour design.

The Indian Air Force also shared visuals and messages recalling the operation and highlighting India’s military response. A video released by the force described the operation as a strong message against terrorism and referred to the precision strikes carried out during the mission.

Operation Sindoor was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to official statements and reports published at the time.

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Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor again as TVK pushes to prove majority

TVK chief Vijay held another meeting with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as the party intensified efforts to secure majority support after emerging as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections.

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8 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Actor vijay

Actor-turned-politician Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar again on Thursday as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), continued efforts to prove it has enough support to form the next government in the state.

TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after winning 108 seats, but it remains short of the majority mark of 118.

The Congress has extended support to TVK, adding five MLAs to Vijay’s side. However, the alliance still needs additional backing from other parties or independents to comfortably cross the halfway mark.

According to reports, the Governor has not yet been fully convinced that TVK currently has the required numbers to form a stable government. This has delayed clarity over the swearing-in ceremony and the formal invitation to form the government.

Political activity intensified after reports emerged that some AIADMK legislators were moved to a resort in Puducherry amid speculation over possible support to TVK. AIADMK leaders, however, publicly denied any internal crisis.

TVK sources have expressed confidence that the party will be able to demonstrate majority support during discussions with the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu election results marked a major political shift in the state, with TVK breaking the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in its first Assembly election contest.

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