News for 'National Catholic Register'

Nun's arrest: Chh'garh women's panel seeks FIRs against Bajrang Dal men

Nun's arrest: Chh'garh women's panel seeks FIRs against Bajrang Dal men

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

The Chhattisgarh State Women Commission has directed the Director General of Police to file FIRs based on complaints from three women who allege assault and molestation by Bajrang Dal workers. The women were initially involved in a human trafficking and forced conversion case.

2 Kerala nuns get bail in trafficking-conversion case

2 Kerala nuns get bail in trafficking-conversion case

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

A special court in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district granted bail to three persons, including two nuns from Kerala, arrested on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion.

How Will Nuns' Arrest Affect Kerala Politics?

How Will Nuns' Arrest Affect Kerala Politics?

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

The current situation in Kerala politics is perhaps best described as a case of the state's traditional two front politics now seeing a third front (the BJP) muscling in with the potential outcome being either a messy three front affair or a renewed endorsement of the two front pattern but with one of the old fronts compromised or quashed, observes Shyam G Menon.

50 embroiled in land dispute join BJP hours after Waqf Bill passed

50 embroiled in land dispute join BJP hours after Waqf Bill passed

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Hours after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament, 50 individuals embroiled in land disputes in Kerala's Munambam joined the BJP, hoping for a resolution to their claims. The residents, who have been protesting for 174 days, allege that the Waqf Board is claiming ownership of their properties. BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar assured them of the party's support and a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express gratitude. The BJP capitalized on the Catholic Church's support for the legislation, accusing the Congress and the Left of appeasement politics. The opposition, however, questioned the impact of the bill on the Munambam issue.

Munambam: The Politics Of Waqf Land

Munambam: The Politics Of Waqf Land

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

The specter of how the Munambam issue was exploited during the November by-elections is proof of the price Kerala is paying for its emergent politics. Controversies become the stuff of slow-burn and brinkmanship. The former promises mileage; the latter searches for an advantage, notes Shyam G Menon.

Revere Mother for her work, not 'miracles'

Revere Mother for her work, not 'miracles'

Rediff.com4 Sep 2016

For the thousands of destitute that Mother Teresa treated, she was 'god incarnate' and her hand was the miracle of love the poor needed. Attributing scientifically-unproven remedies as miracles does not help the followers of Missionaries of Charity and humanity in general, says Pallava Bagla.

Will Usha Vance Be First Hindu Second Lady?

Will Usha Vance Be First Hindu Second Lady?

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

Asked about the challenges of an interfaith marriage, she said, 'There are a lot of things that we just agree on, I think, especially when it comes to family life, how to raise our kids. And so I think the answer really is, we just talk a lot.'

SP shifted, cop suspended for lax probe into girls' molestation in MP school

SP shifted, cop suspended for lax probe into girls' molestation in MP school

Rediff.com8 Mar 2023

Sources said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed displeasure at the way the alleged molestation case was handled.

Leo Varadkar, The PM Who Likes Jalebis

Leo Varadkar, The PM Who Likes Jalebis

Rediff.com5 Apr 2024

'When my father travelled 5,000 miles to build a new home in Ireland, I doubt he ever dreamed that his son would one day grow up to become its leader.' Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com profiles Dr Leo Varadkar who will step down as Ireland's taoiseach (prime minister) next week.

Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal acquitted

Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal acquitted

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

As the prosecution failed to produce evidence against the accused, the Additional District and Sessions Court II acquitted the Bishop.

Euro triumph balm for Italy's pandemic wounds

Euro triumph balm for Italy's pandemic wounds

Rediff.com12 Jul 2021

'If this (victory) remains a beautiful memory in a dark moment or if instead it becomes a symbol of rebirth depends only on us.'

Kejriwal woos Goans with free pilgrimage if AAP comes to power

Kejriwal woos Goans with free pilgrimage if AAP comes to power

Rediff.com1 Nov 2021

Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday promised free pilgrimage to various religious centres, including Ayodhya and Ajmer Sharif, if his party is voted to power in Goa in the assembly polls due in next February, which he said is a 'third guarantee' being given by AAP to Goans.

Nun rape: Bishop may be summoned for questioning this week

Nun rape: Bishop may be summoned for questioning this week

Rediff.com11 Sep 2018

Police have initiated action against independent MLA P C George who had levelled derogatory charges against the victimised nun.

Goa Archbishop urges government to revoke CAA

Goa Archbishop urges government to revoke CAA

Rediff.com9 Feb 2020

Reverend Filipe Neri Ferrao, has urged the central government to "immediately and unconditionally revoke the Citizenship Amendment Act" and stop quashing the "right to dissent".

The Delhi archbishop who angered the BJP-RSS

The Delhi archbishop who angered the BJP-RSS

Rediff.com8 Jun 2018

Archbishop Anil Couto's instructions, though politically charged, are not unusual or unprecedented.

Delhi church gutted in fire, foul play suspected

Delhi church gutted in fire, foul play suspected

Rediff.com1 Dec 2014

A substantial part of a catholic church in northeast Delhi's Tahirpur area was gutted when a fire broke out at its premises on Monday morning with the Christian community suspecting foul play in the incident.

India's coronavirus tally: 724 cases, 17 deaths, 66 cured

India's coronavirus tally: 724 cases, 17 deaths, 66 cured

Rediff.com27 Mar 2020

Concern is growing among healthcare experts who believe that if people do not follow the lockdown or social distancing seriously, the situation can quickly go out of control.

'It was like a movie, there was blood everywhere'

'It was like a movie, there was blood everywhere'

Rediff.com28 Apr 2019

A Dubai-based Indian couple had a narrow escape in the Sri Lanka blasts.

When connectivity connects...

When connectivity connects...

Rediff.com16 Jan 2020

How did people with less education than me and my several degrees navigate the Internet with such ease, asks Geetanjali Krishna.

Delhi church blaze sparks protest outside police HQ; govt appoints SIT

Delhi church blaze sparks protest outside police HQ; govt appoints SIT

Rediff.com2 Dec 2014

Scores of members of the Christian community and social activists staged a protest outside the Delhi Police headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday morning over alleged the police inaction in the case of the fire which on Monday gutted a church in northeast Delhi's Tahirpur area.

BJP candidates keep out Modi, swear by Amma in TN

BJP candidates keep out Modi, swear by Amma in TN

Rediff.com2 Apr 2021

It does not stop here, though. According to field information, state ministers, AIADMK candidates and campaigners are asking BJP cadres accompanying them not to carry party flags at common rallies and also avoid their saffron shawl on those occasions. BJP cadres are also asked to stay out of the common campaign when it enters a minority-dominated areas, especially of Muslims, and re-join later, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

CAA is a self-inflicted problem

CAA is a self-inflicted problem

Rediff.com20 Dec 2019

'The north east does not want the solution that the BJP has given and it has become clear that it has not been fully thought through,' says Aakar Patel.

Unlock 1: Malls, hotels, shrines set to reopen amid rise in cases

Unlock 1: Malls, hotels, shrines set to reopen amid rise in cases

Rediff.com8 Jun 2020

As India prepares for a calibrated exit from the lockdown by easing more restrictions, 'Unlock-1 -- the first of the three-phase plan for reopening of prohibited activities in non-containment zones with a stringent set of Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) -- kicks in at a time when the country recorded a daily jump of COVID-19 cases by over 9,000 for the fifth straight day on Sunday.

'Bishop Mulakkal must be removed from his post'

'Bishop Mulakkal must be removed from his post'

Rediff.com12 Sep 2018

'The problem is not lack of evidence, but the unholy alliance between political parties and church authorities.' 'If you are raising a voice against the priest, you and your family will suffer.'

Rahul is a Hindu, so is Zakir Naik, and Amit Shah

Rahul is a Hindu, so is Zakir Naik, and Amit Shah

Rediff.com14 Dec 2017

Syed Firdaus Ashraf on the futility of the 'who is a Hindu?' debate.

For an India of blasphemers

For an India of blasphemers

Rediff.com12 Jan 2015

Instead of repealing Section 295A of the IPC, which criminalises speech that offends the religious, India intends to further criminalise offence against religion, says Mihir S Sharma

Do you need commandos with AK 47s to control a church protest?

Do you need commandos with AK 47s to control a church protest?

Rediff.com12 Feb 2015

Active citizenship through peaceful protest is a powerful tool, says Merril Diniz, who was part of a peaceful march that was struck down by police and CRPF personnel, while protesting against church attacks in Delhi.

How will Chandy fight the solar scam's eclipse on Kerala?

How will Chandy fight the solar scam's eclipse on Kerala?

Rediff.com20 Jul 2013

While even the Opposition doesn't believe that Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is personally involved in the solar scam, the Congress leaders reputation has been tainted. And while he tells Indulekha Aravind that it is only a conspiracy, it may have a bearing on the coming general elections