News for 'Muslims and Hindus'

'Average Muslim in UP can't run away'

'Average Muslim in UP can't run away'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2022

'He won't be able to migrate; he must survive in that environment.' 'He will go back after the election to becoming invisible.'

Send him to UP, says Yogi as Maha assembly suspends Abu Azmi

Send him to UP, says Yogi as Maha assembly suspends Abu Azmi

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi was on Wednesday suspended from the Maharashtra legislative assembly till the ongoing budget session ends on March 26, over his remarks eulogizing Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Tension in Maha city over remark against Prophet

Tension in Maha city over remark against Prophet

Rediff.com16 Aug 2024

A large group of Muslim community members gathered outside the City Chowk police station to demand action against Ramgiri Maharaj, alleging that he made objectionable comments against Prophet Mohammad and Islam, they said.

'Partition Should Never Have Happened'

'Partition Should Never Have Happened'

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

'We wouldn't have had to face all this had our national leaders taken care to select a place for Sindhis and sent us there, instead of sending us all over to settle in places where the locals didn't want us.' 'They could have partitioned Sindh and given us a Sindhi state from its two Hindu-majority districts.' 'Wasn't that the logic of Partition?'

Sidda clarifies 'no need for war' remark; BJP calls him 'Pakistan Ratna'

Sidda clarifies 'no need for war' remark; BJP calls him 'Pakistan Ratna'

Rediff.com27 Apr 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has clarified his remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack, saying he did not call for no war with Pakistan, but emphasized that war should only be a last resort. His comments, which were played up by Pakistan media, have sparked criticism from the BJP, which accused him of acting like a "puppet" of an enemy nation.

Almost all pending ideological tasks completed: Amit Shah

Almost all pending ideological tasks completed: Amit Shah

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that the Narendra Modi government has "almost all" completed its ideological tasks, including the abrogation of Article 370, and will continue on the same path in its third tenure. Shah, a senior BJP leader, was speaking at the Hindu Spiritual & Service Fair in Gujarat, where he highlighted the government's achievements in areas such as the Ram Temple construction, abolition of triple talaq, and the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand. He also emphasized the government's success in promoting Yoga internationally and repatriating stolen idols of Hindu deities. Shah lauded Hindu temples and organizations for their service to society, especially their contributions to education and healthcare for the poor.

3-judge SC bench to hear pleas on Places of Worship Act on Thursday

3-judge SC bench to hear pleas on Places of Worship Act on Thursday

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions challenging the validity of certain provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits lawsuits to reclaim a place of worship or change its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. The pleas, including one filed by Ashwini Upadhyay, argue that these provisions violate the right to judicial remedy and create an arbitrary cut-off date. The matter will be heard in the backdrop of several ongoing cases related to places of worship, including the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura. The Muslim side has cited the 1991 law to argue that such suits are not maintainable. The Supreme Court had previously sought the Centre's response to Upadhyay's petition, which alleged that the law creates an "arbitrary and irrational retrospective cut-off date" for maintaining the character of places of worship.

Violent protests against Waqf law shift to other areas of Bengal

Violent protests against Waqf law shift to other areas of Bengal

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

Supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) clashed with police in West Bengal on Monday during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leading to several injuries and the torching of multiple police vehicles. The clash occurred after police stopped ISF supporters from attending an anti-Waqf Act rally in Kolkata. The protests escalated when the crowd attempted to break through police barricades. The situation was brought under control after a large police force was deployed. ISF leader Naushad Siddique condemned the Waqf Act and accused the BJP of trying to incite communal tension. Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress dismissed the ISF as a "party of no consequence." Communal violence related to the Waqf Act has also occurred in other parts of West Bengal.

With Naqvi's term ending, no Muslim among BJP MPs

With Naqvi's term ending, no Muslim among BJP MPs

Rediff.com6 Jul 2022

With the Rajya Sabha term of Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi ending, the BJP will have no Muslim MP among its 395 members of Parliament.

'Muslims have retreated into themselves'

'Muslims have retreated into themselves'

Rediff.com22 Mar 2022

'It's like the BJP is mocking people: Do what you want, we'll still win.'

Complaint against Bihar Muslim minister for visiting temple

Complaint against Bihar Muslim minister for visiting temple

Rediff.com25 Aug 2022

A complaint petition was filed in a court in Bihar's Muzaffarpur against State Information Technology Minister Mohammad Israel Mansuri for visiting the Vishnupad temple in Gaya.

Aligarh Muslim University Needs Urgent Reforms!

Aligarh Muslim University Needs Urgent Reforms!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2023

Is it a divine, sacrosanct university, a holy cow, prohibiting human intervention?

RSS chief, Muslim intellectuals discuss plan to strengthen communal harmony

RSS chief, Muslim intellectuals discuss plan to strengthen communal harmony

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

In the meeting, which has come at a time when the Gyanvapi mosque issue is being heard in courts, it was decided to build a platform for strengthening communal harmony in the country.

Security tightened as ASI's Bhojshala survey enters Day 8

Security tightened as ASI's Bhojshala survey enters Day 8

Rediff.com29 Mar 2024

The security has been stepped up in view of the Friday prayers to be offered by the Muslim community members at the site, a police official said.

Memories Of Another Holi Day

Memories Of Another Holi Day

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

On the way we met many groups moving towards Juhu. If the group was smaller than us we gave them a dose of colour and if the group was bigger we tried to pass silently. Sometime it worked, other times we got drowned in colour.

SC to hear pleas on Places of Worship Act on Feb 17

SC to hear pleas on Places of Worship Act on Feb 17

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

The Act prohibits conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947.

Can Bangladesh Become A Secular Nation?

Can Bangladesh Become A Secular Nation?

Rediff.com16 Aug 2024

Pakistan wanted to be constitutionally communal, India wanted to be secular but is communalising itself. All three nations share a penal code, but they have amended their laws to enable the State to specifically target minorities, points out Aakar Patel.

Key suspect behind attack on Hindus in Bangladesh arrested

Key suspect behind attack on Hindus in Bangladesh arrested

Rediff.com22 Oct 2021

Iqbal Hossain was arrested from Cox's Bazar sea beach area on Thursday night and is suspected to be the one who allegedly placed a copy of the Quran at a Durga Puja venue in Cumilla, bdnews24.com reported.

How the BJP discriminates against Hindus

How the BJP discriminates against Hindus

Rediff.com1 Dec 2017

'One one hand, the BJP puts Uniform Civil Code as a goal in its manifesto, and on the other, it pushes massive discrimination against Hindus.' 'This is not sabka saath, sabka vikas. Rather it is "Haj ka saath, church ka vikas",' argues Sankrant Sanu.

Bhagwat is 'rashtra pita', says top Muslim cleric after RSS chief visits mosque

Bhagwat is 'rashtra pita', says top Muslim cleric after RSS chief visits mosque

Rediff.com22 Sep 2022

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday, met with many Muslim intellectuals including Chief Imam Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi.

Hard Choice Modi Must Make

Hard Choice Modi Must Make

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

Modi can abandon the path of Hindutva only at risk to his position within his own fraternity. But if he pursues a hard line, he faces the risk of being hauled up by his coalition-partners. For the first time in a decade, Modi is not in enviable situation, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Bhagwat bats for 'equality among Hindus', says no danger to minorities

Bhagwat bats for 'equality among Hindus', says no danger to minorities

Rediff.com5 Oct 2022

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said scare-mongering was being done by some that there was a danger to minorities, but asserted that this is neither the nature of the Sangh nor of Hindus.

'The more you alienate Muslims, the more it will have problems for India's internal security'

'The more you alienate Muslims, the more it will have problems for India's internal security'

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

'Look at the aggressive way in which a campaign against Friday namaz is going on in North Indian cities.' 'Even the Union home minister is part of this vicious campaign.'

CAA-NRC an attempt to divide Hindus, Muslims: JD-U leader to Nitish

CAA-NRC an attempt to divide Hindus, Muslims: JD-U leader to Nitish

Rediff.com5 Jan 2020

The JD-U leader has been critical of his party's decision to support the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, and it has now become a law following its passage in both Houses.

'Hindus don't vote according to religion'

'Hindus don't vote according to religion'

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

As their parties are locked in a fierce battle for Bengal, Tathagata and Saugata Roy, siblings who belong to the BJP and the TMC respectively, answer the same questions put to them about the assembly election.

Biden campaign launches initiative to woo Hindus in US

Biden campaign launches initiative to woo Hindus in US

Rediff.com2 Sep 2020

The development is being seen as a sign of the growing political prominence of Hindus in America. Hinduism is the fourth largest faith in the US, representing approximately one per cent of the US population in 2016.

BJP-RSS wrong, population of Muslims is falling in the country, says Digvijaya

BJP-RSS wrong, population of Muslims is falling in the country, says Digvijaya

Rediff.com13 Apr 2023

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Thursday claimed that contrary to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's "false propaganda" that the population of Muslim community was increasing in the country, the number of the minority community members vis-a-vis Hindus was fast declining, and added that he could prove it.

UP polls: Survey shows clear divide in Hindu-Muslim votes

UP polls: Survey shows clear divide in Hindu-Muslim votes

Rediff.com12 Mar 2022

According to the findings of the CSDS-Lokniti survey, the BJP saw a marginal increase in its support among the Muslim voters as compared to the 2017 assembly elections.

Ajmer dargah row as politicians, community leaders weigh in

Ajmer dargah row as politicians, community leaders weigh in

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

A local court in Ajmer has issued notices to the dargah committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India on a plea seeking to declare the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti a temple. The petition, filed in September, has sparked a heated debate, with politicians and community leaders weighing in on the potentially volatile issue. The dargah committee has declined to comment, but the Anjuman Syed Zadgan, a body representing the caretakers of the dargah, described the petition as a deliberate attempt to fracture society along communal lines. The petition comes just days after four people were killed in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following a local court ordering survey of a Mughal-era shrine. The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which fixed August 15, 1947, as the cut-off date for status quo on the character of religious places, is at the centre of much of the debate. Several politicians, including Union minister Giriraj Singh and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, have weighed in on the issue. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called the civil court's decision to entertain the petition unwarranted and has asked the Supreme Court to immediately intervene.

2nd key suspect behind attack on Hindus in B'desh arrested

2nd key suspect behind attack on Hindus in B'desh arrested

Rediff.com23 Oct 2021

At least 70 houses and shops of the Hindus were torched in attacks at Pirganj following Mandal's Facebook post on October 17.

'Don't Harass Good Citizens In The Name Of Bulldozer Justice'

'Don't Harass Good Citizens In The Name Of Bulldozer Justice'

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

'I represented India across the world, but here, in my own country, I was treated in this bad manner.' 'Everyone in Prayagraj respects me a lot and it is in this same city that I became homeless.'

SP leader moves SC for effective implementation of Places of Worship Act

SP leader moves SC for effective implementation of Places of Worship Act

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Samajwadi Party leader and Kairana MP Iqra Choudhary has moved the Supreme Court seeking effective implementation of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This move comes amidst several petitions challenging the law's validity, including those filed by the Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay. The Supreme Court, in December 2022, had restrained all courts from examining fresh suits and passing interim orders in pending cases seeking to reclaim religious places. The Act aims to maintain the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947, but the dispute relating to Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid at Ayodhya was kept out of its purview. The court has listed Choudhary's plea with other pending pleas for February 17.

Covid Reduced 2.6 Years Of Life Expectancy In India

Covid Reduced 2.6 Years Of Life Expectancy In India

Rediff.com20 Jul 2024

The decline in life expectancy was higher among young individuals and those aged 50 to 60.

'Why are Muslim countries silent on China?'

'Why are Muslim countries silent on China?'

Rediff.com6 Jun 2022

'Is it because they perceive India as a soft state?'

Were The Chola Kings Hindus Or Not?

Were The Chola Kings Hindus Or Not?

Rediff.com11 Oct 2022

The aftermath of Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan has led to an argument that there was no religion as Hinduism in Chola times.
Instead, there was only Saivism, Vaishnavism, etc, and that the Cholas were Saivites, and hence not Hindus, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Chh'garh villagers take oath to boycott Muslims; probe on

Chh'garh villagers take oath to boycott Muslims; probe on

Rediff.com7 Jan 2022

The video appears to be a fallout of a brawl between residents of two villages on January 1.

'Why Oppose Singing Gandhiji's Bhajan?'

'Why Oppose Singing Gandhiji's Bhajan?'

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

'The BJP should identify those involved in the protest against singing Gandhiji's bhajan and take action against them.' 'Such people should be removed from the party because they harm the BJP's image.'

Is Rahul Dividing India To Rule?

Is Rahul Dividing India To Rule?

Rediff.com3 Jul 2024

Is it is necessary to play divisive politics to succeed in the next general elections? asks Dr Sudhir Bisht.

New beginning: 186 Pak Hindu refugees cast first-ever votes in Delhi polls

New beginning: 186 Pak Hindu refugees cast first-ever votes in Delhi polls

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

For the first time in their lives, 186 Pakistani Hindu refugees in Delhi cast their votes in the Delhi Assembly polls, marking a significant moment in their journey towards citizenship. Having received Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, they expressed hope for a better future with permanent homes and stable livelihoods. The refugees, who have lived in makeshift shelters and struggled with daily wage work for decades, felt a sense of belonging and empowerment after exercising their voting right.

SC puts off pleas on Places of Worship Act to April

SC puts off pleas on Places of Worship Act to April

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar also indicated that it may not take up the pending scheduled petitions, heard earlier by a three-judge bench, during the day as it was sitting in a combination of two judges.