News for 'Religious Freedom Project'

Ayodhya mosque may be named after 1857 mutiny warrior

Ayodhya mosque may be named after 1857 mutiny warrior

Rediff.com25 Jan 2021

During the freedom struggle, Shah had launched revolts in the Awadh region. He made the local mosque, Masjid Sarai, located in Chowk area of Faizabad his headquarters. As he liberated Faizabad and larger part of Awadh region, he used the premises of this mosque to hold meetings with rebel leaders.

Anti-hijab protests spread to more Iranian cities

Anti-hijab protests spread to more Iranian cities

Rediff.com24 Sep 2022

Hundreds of protesters, mostly women, took to the streets following the death of Mahsa Amini -- a Kurd native, chanting anti-government slogans that target the core of the Islamic regime and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

'Amit Shah said we have to rule Kerala'

'Amit Shah said we have to rule Kerala'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2016

'What authority has a secular government to administer Hindu temples? When Hindu temples are ruled by secular governments, what religious freedom do Hindus have?'

Trump picks Indiana Governor Pence as running mate

Trump picks Indiana Governor Pence as running mate

Rediff.com15 Jul 2016

'I am pleased to announce that I have chose Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate,' Donald Trump wrote on his Twitter handle.

Triumph of Hindutva would mark end of 'Indian idea': Tharoor

Triumph of Hindutva would mark end of 'Indian idea': Tharoor

Rediff.com31 Oct 2020

A 'Hindu India' would not be Hindu at all, but a 'Sanghi Hindutva state', which is a different country altogether, says Tharoor in his new book The Battle of Belonging that was released on Saturday.

Will evacuate all Indians: Govt at all-party meet on Afghanistan

Will evacuate all Indians: Govt at all-party meet on Afghanistan

Rediff.com26 Aug 2021

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed the leaders on the latest situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban captured power there last week.

India, The Electoral Autocracy

India, The Electoral Autocracy

Rediff.com25 Oct 2022

'The most important priority for the next 25 years should be to strengthen our democracy so that it is supportive of social harmony, and to not just respect but to take pride in the diversity of Indian society in terms of the variety of languages, religion and religious practices and social norms,' explains Nitin Desai.

'We have become passive consumers of hatred'

'We have become passive consumers of hatred'

Rediff.com27 Sep 2022

'The right wing has worked for 70-80 years at the grass roots before it burst onto social media.' 'Social media is an extension of its formidable work in society.' 'If you think you can fight them on social media, forget it. You can't.'

Pathaan Is About Shah Rukh's Life

Pathaan Is About Shah Rukh's Life

Rediff.com2 Feb 2023

More than anything else, Pathaan is a silent and subtle statement of Shah Rukh Khan about his place, his commitment to cinema and, if one can say, his politics, observes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

'In some ways, India is already a Hindu rashtra'

'In some ways, India is already a Hindu rashtra'

Rediff.com13 May 2022

'The way discrimination against Muslims has become almost normalised is very upsetting.'

Will Modi sideline the VHP once again?

Will Modi sideline the VHP once again?

Rediff.com28 Nov 2017

There are indications that the Modi dispensation was disinclined to bring the VHP into the temple-mosque frame.

Speedy justice still a distant dream: Chief Justice of India

Speedy justice still a distant dream: Chief Justice of India

Rediff.com21 Aug 2016

Chief Justice of India Justice T S Thakur today said that "corresponding upgradation" of judiciary was a must to face the challenges of emerging social and economic scenario and observed that "unpolluted and speedy justice still remains a distant dream".

Natural partners, unnatural times

Natural partners, unnatural times

Rediff.com22 Feb 2020

'Even as discord over US-India trade and commerce colours diplomatic relations, defence relations between the two countries remain on a firm footing,' points out Ajai Shukla.

'I have never believed in Gandhiji's doctrine of Non-Violence'

'I have never believed in Gandhiji's doctrine of Non-Violence'

Rediff.com10 Aug 2021

'Absolute non-violence is not only sinful, but immoral.' 'This doctrine of non-violence benumbed the revolutionary fervor, softened the limbs and hearts of the Hindus, and stiffened the bones of enemies.' A revealing excerpt from Vikram Sampath's Savarkar (Part 2): A Contested Legacy, 1924-1966.

'LDF has more than 50% chance of coming back to power'

'LDF has more than 50% chance of coming back to power'

Rediff.com16 Mar 2021

'For the UDF, it will depend on how far Rahul Gandhi will succeed with the goodwill he has.' 'That will make a difference.'

Why do sections of the media demonise Muslims?

Why do sections of the media demonise Muslims?

Rediff.com24 Mar 2020

Today, hour-long, high-pitched 'debates' at prime time, replete with inflammatory visuals and captions, using half-truths, insinuations and lies, pour venom against Muslims and seek to divide Hindus and Muslims, notes Jyoti Punwani.

Post Pulwama, Pak remains safe haven for terrorists: US

Post Pulwama, Pak remains safe haven for terrorists: US

Rediff.com24 Jun 2020

The suspension of US aid to Pakistan, which was announced by President Donald Trump in January 2018, remained in effect throughout 2019, the State Department said.

How DMK's Bharat Mata temple flummoxed the BJP

How DMK's Bharat Mata temple flummoxed the BJP

Rediff.com6 Aug 2021

Chief Minister Stalin seems to have drawn a line between his personal beliefs and those of others in the family, beginning with wife Durga Stalin, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Bangladesh has special place in India's neighbourhood first policy: Kovind

Bangladesh has special place in India's neighbourhood first policy: Kovind

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

President Kovind, who arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day on his maiden State visit at the invitation of his counterpart M Abdul Hamid to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, held delegation-level talks with him which was followed by a banquet.

Moily faces China's Lopez diplomacy in Turkmenistan gas quest

Moily faces China's Lopez diplomacy in Turkmenistan gas quest

Rediff.com14 Jul 2013

The Turkmenistan event underscores the lengths to which China's oil-and-gas companies will go to curry favour in resource-rich locales.

'Independence is a state of mind we Indians have not understood'

'Independence is a state of mind we Indians have not understood'

Rediff.com15 Aug 2017

'Freedom of expression is not a freedom to abuse those who do not agree with you.' 'It is also about being liberated from prejudices and intolerance.' 'To me, freedom is the right to be who I am and what I am without hurting the same rights of others.'

Farm laws repeal; eye on Presidential poll?

Farm laws repeal; eye on Presidential poll?

Rediff.com23 Nov 2021

In the unlikely event of the BJP-NDA losing all five states going to the polls in February-March, the Presidential electoral college numbers could be significantly altered, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Rationalising a peace discourse for India and Pakistan

Rationalising a peace discourse for India and Pakistan

Rediff.com30 Jun 2014

Delegates of a bilateral peace delegation urge the prime ministers of Pakistan and India to resume dialogue for peace and full normalisation of relations.

Time for police to act against offensive WhatsApp groups

Time for police to act against offensive WhatsApp groups

Rediff.com18 Sep 2020

Why has Mumbai's cyber police taken no action against these WhatsApp groups who everyday, commit offences under the Indian Penal Code? The police cannot be unaware of their existence, observes Shruthi Marathe.

Congress releases manifesto, vows to waive farm loans

Congress releases manifesto, vows to waive farm loans

Rediff.com29 Nov 2018

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot said the manifesto was prepared after taking opinions through multiple platforms such as social media.

Ranil Wickremesinghe reinstated as Sri Lanka PM

Ranil Wickremesinghe reinstated as Sri Lanka PM

Rediff.com16 Dec 2018

India welcomed resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka and exuded confidence that relations between the two countries will continue to move on in an upward trajectory.

8th round of talks today, farmers stick to their guns

8th round of talks today, farmers stick to their guns

Rediff.com8 Jan 2021

A day before the eighth round of talks, the government and the farmer unions stuck to their respective positions on Thursday -- the agitating farmers took out tractor rallies to press their demand for rollback of new agri laws and the Centre asserted it is ready to consider any proposal other than their repeal.

Why Jaishankar refused to meet Pramila Jayapal

Why Jaishankar refused to meet Pramila Jayapal

Rediff.com20 Dec 2019

Jaishankar said that the resolution on Kashmir introduced by Jayapal in the House is not a fair characterisation of the situation in J-K. And also said that he has no interest in meeting the Congresswoman.

Did Jinnah not want Partition?

Did Jinnah not want Partition?

Rediff.com25 Dec 2020

'Jinnah developed a belief that Gandhi had stolen the tag of the leader of the Indian people from him and that he later used religion to reduce Gandhi's idea of a united India to naught was his revenge.'

Cabinet minister: No conflict between BJP, RSS on conversions

Cabinet minister: No conflict between BJP, RSS on conversions

Rediff.com22 Dec 2014

'When Hindus converted through inducements there was no hue and cry, but when reconversions took place, everyone cried foul. If re-conversions are bad, so are conversions.' 'Our government is not getting involved either in conversions or re-conversions. The BJP has nothing to do with it.' Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in a candid interview.

'Modi is the political product of the Ayodhya agitation'

'Modi is the political product of the Ayodhya agitation'

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

'Although Narendra Modi had no direct participation in the Ayodhya agitation, he would not have been in the dominant position he is now had it not been for the Ram Janambhoomi agitation.'

US-India: Why 2+2 may not always be 4

US-India: Why 2+2 may not always be 4

Rediff.com23 Dec 2019

'This is a historic juncture when the US is in great need of an alliance with India to strengthen its hands in the fierce struggle with China in the Asian theatre,' points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'India routinely uses vaguely-worded laws to stifle dissent'

'India routinely uses vaguely-worded laws to stifle dissent'

Rediff.com24 May 2016

India "routinely" uses vaguely-worded laws like sedition and criminal defamation as "political tools" to "stifle" dissent, a leading rights group said.

Lessons learnt from Goa's Gudi Padwa

Lessons learnt from Goa's Gudi Padwa

Rediff.com11 Apr 2019

'We must not forget who we are and what courage and bravery were shown by our ancestors to bring us closer to the freedom we enjoy today,' says Tarun Vijay after attending the Gudi Padwa in Goa.

The BEST Indian Films of 2021

The BEST Indian Films of 2021

Rediff.com29 Dec 2021

Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite Indian films of 2021.

PHOTOS: Netas pick up broom for swachhata campaign

PHOTOS: Netas pick up broom for swachhata campaign

Rediff.com15 Sep 2018

He launched the "cleanliness is service" exercise to push for greater public participation in one of his government's centrepiece programmes launched on October 2, 2015.

Why India needs to thank Nehru

Why India needs to thank Nehru

Rediff.com26 Jan 2018

India's freedom, its rambling but working Constitution, its parliamentary democracy, its lumbering administrative machinery all have many a father, but its greatest claim to fame, especially today, that of being a modern state, is due to but one person: Its first and longest-serving prime minister, Nehru, says Shreekant Sambrani.

Hindutva isolates India in world opinion

Hindutva isolates India in world opinion

Rediff.com24 Dec 2019

'Modi cannot drag India back into a primitive epoch resembling the religious wars in medieval Europe and at the same time claim to represent the aspirations of modernity among Indians,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

He told the middle class not only to become talkers, but doers

He told the middle class not only to become talkers, but doers

Rediff.com6 Mar 2021

'... That they should emerge as role-models to be emulated by the fellow countrymen; and that the middle classes should not stick only to hate-filled and scornful criticism and condemnation against the state of affairs,' remembers Mohammad Sajjad.

Why Bharat Mata Ki Jai is a secular slogan

Why Bharat Mata Ki Jai is a secular slogan

Rediff.com18 Apr 2016

'Genuine secularism cannot be built on the backs of Hindus alone.' 'In a pluralistic society every religion is duty bound to respect the rights and sentiments of the others.' 'Vande Mataram was a casualty of minorityism. Bharat Mata Ki Jai cannot be allowed to go the same way,' says Vivek Gumaste.