Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen has strongly advocated for the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, citing its importance in eliminating discrimination, especially against women. Her remarks come as the West Bengal government examines a draft UCC. Nasreen also expressed dismay over a disruption at her felicitation ceremony in Kolkata, where poet Joy Goswami was prevented from speaking.
After nearly 19 years, exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen returned to Kolkata, calling it a deeply emotional homecoming.
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen has returned to Kolkata after nearly 19 years, describing the visit as an emotional homecoming to a city she still considers her own, ahead of a literary event that has acquired political resonance under West Bengal's new BJP government.
A journalist from a Tamil news channel was questioned by Chennai police and his mobile phone seized in connection with an alleged bribery case involving a ruling TVK MLA. The MLA claimed he was offered Rs 35 crore to vote against his party in a no-confidence motion, part of a larger "Meghalaya Project" to destabilise the government. The Chennai Press Club has condemned the police action, citing concerns over press freedom.
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin is set to return to Kolkata next month for an anti-fundamentalism literary event, nearly two decades after she was forced to leave the city amid violent protests over her writings. The BJP government in West Bengal is projecting this as a reversal of past capitulation to religious fundamentalism.
For India, the guiding principle should remain clear: Engage Bangladesh as a sovereign nation and society rather than through the prism of any individual leader or political party, suggests Manoj Mohanka.
Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj', based on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, has been made unavailable on ZEE5 in India just two days after its release, following a prolonged censorship battle.
Well-known YouTuber Maridhas was detained by a special team of the Chennai City Police for allegedly posting critical videos targeting the TVK government, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, and several state ministers. He was apprehended in Madurai and is being brought to Chennai for further interrogation.
India has rejected allegations of human rights violations for the second time in three days, emphasising its constitutional values of justice, liberty, and freedom of expression. The remarks were made by Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, in response to questions from a Norwegian journalist.
Pakistani authorities have arrested eleven social media activists in Punjab province for allegedly spreading provocative content against the army and inciting public unrest.
India has reiterated its commitment to human rights and democracy following criticism from a Norwegian newspaper commentator during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Norway.
Mumbai's civic-run KEM Hospital has initiated a two-member committee probe into controversial remarks made by MBBS student Sejal Pawar regarding male cadavers during a stand-up comedy show, which the hospital dean deemed 'unacceptable'.
India has rejected allegations of declining media freedom and erosion of religious and minority rights, asserting that the country is a vibrant democracy that guarantees free speech to all.
Students at Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram (LSR) College have issued a statement clarifying their recent protest, asserting it is not biased against any political ideology. This comes as the college principal, Kanika K Ahuja, addresses the situation and ongoing dialogue between students and the administration.
Goa Police are initiating a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Gautam Khattar after alleged objectionable remarks against St Francis Xavier. Khattar is accused of hurting religious sentiments and creating communal discord. The move aims to prevent him from fleeing the country as police search for him.
The India release of the Oscar-nominated film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', based on the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces, is facing delays as the distributor awaits a censor certificate.
Goa Police have issued a Look Out Circular against right-wing speaker Gautam Khattar for alleged objectionable remarks against St Francis Xavier and arrested his brother in Uttarakhand. The arrest follows widespread condemnation and protests over Khattar's remarks at an event in Goa.
A Samajwadi Party leader has been booked for allegedly urging Muslims not to celebrate Eid as a protest against a US attack on Iran, claiming it was an appeal from jailed leader Azam Khan.
'Very very pleasing (with the way the series went). We knew there would be challenges that we could face.'
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has publicly criticized Mumbai University after being uninvited from a student event, citing concerns over freedom of expression and the current political climate.
YouTuber Salim Ahmed, known as Salim Wastik, was stabbed in his Ghaziabad office after allegedly posting controversial videos. Police are investigating the attack and have filed an FIR.
The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to folk singer Neha Singh Rathore in connection with a case filed against her over a social media post related to the Pahalgam terror attack. The court's decision comes after Rathore appeared before authorities and cooperated with the investigation.
Suryakumar Yadav discusses his leadership philosophy, emphasising the importance of freedom and individuality for players to thrive. He shares insights on learning from Rohit Sharma and preparing for the World Cup final.
'The jail staff told me Kasab was served only jail food and not biryani.' 'They told me that Kasab was beaten regularly after court proceedings.' 'And they filled Kasab's bottle with urine so that whenever he felt thirsty he used to drink urine.'
'If you want to force the press into blacking out the Opposition's views or colour the news to your own liking, we will not do so.' 'We stand by freedom of expression. It is our Constitutional right. We stand by our Constitutional right.'
The Supreme Court has disposed of a plea against the Netflix film 'Ghooskhor Pandit' after filmmaker Neeraj Pandey withdrew the title and promotional material. The court acknowledged Pandey's affidavit and expects the controversy to be resolved.
Leading Bangladeshi newspapers report increasing threats to media freedom following attacks on newspaper offices, raising concerns about journalists' safety and freedom of expression.
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Milano Cortina Winter Games for wearing a helmet depicting Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia. The IOC offered alternative ways to honor the athletes, but Heraskevych's team plans to appeal the decision.
A R Rahman: 'I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables me to create a space which always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices.'
The trailer of the film, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narain Singh, released on Tuesday and landed straight into controversy. It tracks the stories of three Hindu women from three different states going against their families to marry Muslim men and then being forced to convert.
The upcoming Hindi film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' is embroiled in controversy, similar to its predecessor, with accusations of hate propaganda and defenses of legitimate concern over religious conversion.
In a video message from New York on Monday night, the 75-year-old Mumbai-born author who has lived under the shadow of a fatwa since The Satanic Verses was published in the 1980s said it was important to continue to fight for the freedom to express and to publish.
Like the realisation on the failure of development, we have also internalised the failure on democracy, argues Aakar Patel.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri on charges of indiscipline after he resigned from service in protest against government policies.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has voiced concern over the violence in Bangladesh, including the lynching of a Hindu man. The UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has also expressed concern over the killing of a protest leader.
A painting displayed at the Kochi Biennale has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from Christian groups, who allege that the artwork hurts religious sentiments by presenting a distorted depiction of Christ's Last Supper.
Today's situation in the Shaksgam Valley is the consequence of what happened in Gilgit in 1947. But is India ready to militarily get back its territories? asks Claude Arpi.
The Goa police have ordered the cancellation of the four-day event, which was advertised on social media under the banner of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh Foundation.
'The Maoist leadership spread fear that surrender meant torture or death. Once that false narrative collapsed and our operations proved transparent and credible, the surrender momentum became irreversible.' 'From 42,000 square kilometres, Maoist activity is now confined to barely 500-600 square kilometres -- less than two per cent of Bastar. This is their last remaining base area.'
India on Wednesday slammed Switzerland's remarks on minorities at the Human Rights Council, urging the Swiss to focus on their own issues like racism, systematic discrimination, and xenophobia instead of lecturing India.
