News for 'forced conversion'

The Importance Of Putin's India Visit

The Importance Of Putin's India Visit

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The enduring relationship between the two countries have survived the disintegration of the erstwhile USSR in 1991, the end of the Cold War and the regime change in both countries, points out Rup Narayan Das.

'Goa Nightclub Fire Was Murder!'

'Goa Nightclub Fire Was Murder!'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'When an establishment operates despite demolition or closure orders, without proper fire exits, evacuation plans or safety audits, and yet is allowed to host large crowds, the state cannot hide behind the language of accident.' 'The authorities were aware of the risks and of the violations, but chose not to act decisively because doing so would have inconvenienced those with influence and financial stakes.' 'In such a scenario, the moral and legal responsibility for the resulting deaths moves from negligence towards culpability; calling it 'murder' is a way of underlining that these lives were sacrificed at the altar of greed and complicity, not fate.'

Pak threatens 'open war' with Afghanistan amid truce talks

Pak threatens 'open war' with Afghanistan amid truce talks

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad will enter into an 'open war' with Kabul if the ongoing peace talks in Istanbul fail, TOLO News reported.

'Indira Gandhi Stood Up To The Americans'

'Indira Gandhi Stood Up To The Americans'

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

'She was brave. She didn't care a hoot. And India was not the strongest of nations as it is now.'

'Indira Gandhi Stood Up To The Americans'

'Indira Gandhi Stood Up To The Americans'

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

'She was brave. She didn't care a hoot. And India was not the strongest of nations as it is now.'

Women's World Cup: The secret behind Smriti-Pratika's success!

Women's World Cup: The secret behind Smriti-Pratika's success!

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal's 212-run stand against New Zealand is India's highest in Women's World Cup history.

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The Deepa Thoon controversy, if not allowed to die a natural death, could take the election focus away from the anti-incumbency impacting the DMK and into the secular space. Stalin would love to have it that way, all over again, after the three past elections, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Sex toy, porn material seized from Delhi baba's room

Sex toy, porn material seized from Delhi baba's room

Rediff.com1 Oct 2025

The Delhi Police on Wednesday took self-styled godman Chaitanyanand Saraswati, accused of sexually harassing 17 students of a private institute in New Delhi, to the campus for the second time and seized 'pornographic' material, a senior officer of the force, who is privy to the investigation, said.

Wary India May Avoid Turning Tracks

Wary India May Avoid Turning Tracks

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

With the scars of last year's home series whitewash against New Zealand still raw, preparing rank turners may invite risk.

UK spies gave intel on Nijjar killing to Canada: Report

UK spies gave intel on Nijjar killing to Canada: Report

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

A new documentary claims British spy call intercepts helped Canadian authorities link India to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.

Putin orders N-drills amid uncertainty over Trump meet to end Ukraine war

Putin orders N-drills amid uncertainty over Trump meet to end Ukraine war

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin supervised strategic nuclear forces drills amid uncertainty surrounding a potential summit with US President Donald Trump to address the Ukraine conflict.

Dr Umar Nabi planned a massive blast in Delhi close to Babri anniv but....

Dr Umar Nabi planned a massive blast in Delhi close to Babri anniv but....

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

Officials reveal details of a foiled Jaish-e-Mohammed terror plot involving a doctor who planned a bomb blast near the Red Fort, timed around the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary. Arrests and investigations uncovered the interstate network.

'After GST cut, innovation will boost life insurance'

'After GST cut, innovation will boost life insurance'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

The reduction in goods & services tax (GST) on individual life and health insurance premiums has been called a "landmark step" for making insurance affordable and inclusive. In a panel discussion at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2025, Anup Bagchi, managing director (MD) & chief executive officer (CEO) of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance; Mahesh Balasubramanian, MD & CEO of Kotak Life Insurance; Tarun Chugh, MD & CEO of Bajaj Life Insurance; and Ratnakar Patnaik, MD of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), listed what else the industry needs to reach more people.

Sacked civic workers in MP vow to leave 'Sanatan Dharma'

Sacked civic workers in MP vow to leave 'Sanatan Dharma'

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

More than 150 daily wage employees of Chanderi Municipality in Madhya Pradesh's Ashoknagar district have threatened to renounce the "Sanatan Dharma" and embrace some other religion en masse after Diwali to protest their removal from service.

Jaish plot exposed: Docs, explosives and a premature blast

Jaish plot exposed: Docs, explosives and a premature blast

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

Indian authorities have uncovered a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror plot involving doctors from south Kashmir, a Faridabad university, the recovery of 2,900 kg of explosives, and a car bomb near the Red Fort. Eight people have been arrested in connection with the plot.

How India Buys A Car Today Has Changed

How India Buys A Car Today Has Changed

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

More Indians start car shopping online, pushing automakers and dealers to respond quickly, train staff, and use AI to turn clicks into showroom visits.

Magisterial probe begins into hostage-taker Rohit Arya's death

Magisterial probe begins into hostage-taker Rohit Arya's death

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

An independent magisterial inquiry has been initiated into the death of social entrepreneur Rohit Arya, who was shot during a police operation while holding 17 children and two adults hostage in Mumbai. The inquiry will run parallel to a crime branch investigation.

Will Trump Pull The Plug On Russian Oil Sanctions?

Will Trump Pull The Plug On Russian Oil Sanctions?

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

Whether Trump will actually press ahead with the oil sanctions remains unclear, since keeping Russian oil out of the world market risks high oil prices which could boomerang on the US economy and be damaging politically for Trump, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Putin demands key Ukraine region in return for peace

Putin demands key Ukraine region in return for peace

Rediff.com19 Oct 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call this past week with United States President Donald Trump, demanded that Kyiv surrender full control of Donetsk, a strategically vital region in eastern Ukraine, as a condition for ending the war, said two senior officials familiar with the conversation, the Washington Post reported.

'RJD-Cong Will Win 160-170 Seats'

'RJD-Cong Will Win 160-170 Seats'

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

'When maximum voter participation occurs, they do not vote to re-elect the incumbent government. They vote to change it.' 'How can anyone credibly suggest that crores of young voters -- particularly the unemployed youth -- would vote to re-elect an existing government that has demonstrably failed them?'

Golf Day: Windies cricketers tee off with legends

Golf Day: Windies cricketers tee off with legends

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Organised by TCM Sports, Cricket West Indies' long-term strategic partner, the the Golf Day brought together cricketing legends, global business leaders, and sporting icons on one stage, marking a celebration of West Indies cricket in the company of some of the formidable forces of the game such as Sir Vivian Richards, Brian Lara, and Sir Richie Richardson.

Madras HC admits plea against forced religious conversion in schools

Madras HC admits plea against forced religious conversion in schools

Rediff.com6 May 2022

A vacation bench of the Madras high court on Friday admitted a public interest litigation plea to stop forcible conversion of students in schools and ordered notice to the Tamil Nadu government, returnable in four weeks.

After Bihar, Is It Target Stalin For BJP?

After Bihar, Is It Target Stalin For BJP?

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

After big win in Bihar, the BJP is likely to push harder in Tamil Nadu, where the DMK government and the uneasy BJP-AIADMK alliance are preparing for a tense election filled with seat-sharing fights, changing alliances, and the unpredictable entry of Vijay's TVK party, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy.

Trump declares 'end of terror' for 'entire Middle East'

Trump declares 'end of terror' for 'entire Middle East'

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

Calling the Gaza ceasefire 'the historic dawn of a new Middle East', United States President Donald Trump on Monday said the forces of 'chaos, terror, and ruin' have been defeated, and the 'long and painful nightmare' is finally over not only for Israelis but also for Palestinians.

Could The Kurnool Bus Tragedy Have Been Avoided?

Could The Kurnool Bus Tragedy Have Been Avoided?

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

'This tragedy will not be the last -- you shall witness another tomorrow, perhaps another the day after, and increasingly more.'

Indian envoy meets US lawmakers amid tariff tensions

Indian envoy meets US lawmakers amid tariff tensions

Rediff.com24 Aug 2025

Indian envoy Vinay Mohan Kwatra discussed fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade ties with US lawmakers amid ongoing tariff tensions between New Delhi and Washington.

After Hindus, Pakistani Christians forced into conversion

After Hindus, Pakistani Christians forced into conversion

Rediff.com28 Apr 2012

Victims of forced conversions are often girls from poor backgrounds who are unable to defend themselves against extremists because their community is deprived, defenceless and marginalised, reports Amir Mir

Nuns' arrest misunderstanding, bail soon: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Nuns' arrest misunderstanding, bail soon: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated that the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh was due to a 'misunderstanding' and that they will be released on bail soon. He met with Archbishop of Trichur Andrews Thazhath to brief him that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister have assured the nuns would be released on bail.

Mahatma Gandhi described RSS as communal, totalitarian: Cong

Mahatma Gandhi described RSS as communal, totalitarian: Cong

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

The Congress party launched a scathing attack on the RSS on its 100th anniversary, citing excerpts from a book claiming Mahatma Gandhi described the Sangh as a "communal body with a totalitarian outlook." The party also referenced Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's criticism of the RSS.

Delhi godman spied on students, secretly clicked photos

Delhi godman spied on students, secretly clicked photos

Rediff.com1 Oct 2025

The seizure of the self-styled godman's phone revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behaviour.

Trump to sign executive orders before meeting Pak PM today

Trump to sign executive orders before meeting Pak PM today

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

United States President Donald Trump is set to engage in high-stakes bilateral meetings on Thursday, including a closed-door session with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Oval Office, according to Trump's public schedule released by the White House.

When A Mom Was Murdered: The Story Behind The Film

When A Mom Was Murdered: The Story Behind The Film

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

'There have been multiple cases of people being shot for pulling into someone's driveway because they made a wrong turn or ringing the wrong bell because they made a mistake.' 'That is also the pathway to fascism.' 'The way you divide people is to make them fear each other. Then a strong man can come in and say, "I will protect you".'

'On Track For GDP Growth Exceeding 6.8%'

'On Track For GDP Growth Exceeding 6.8%'

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

'I will not be surprised if there is a 7 per cent handle in front of the decimal place for the full financial year.'

Homebound Review: Highly Recommended

Homebound Review: Highly Recommended

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

In the slot of rural poor, there are those who struggle to pull themselves out of crumbling hovels, and there are the Jamtara-like bunch who turn to crime. Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound is about the former, whose quest for respect and dignity is thwarted because they are underprivileged, notes Deepa Gahlot.

Urgent Need For Data Sovereignty

Urgent Need For Data Sovereignty

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

'When global politics has some intervention on the core software one uses, and if you are cut off from your own data in critical workflows, sovereignty is no longer optional. It becomes a necessity.'

BJP promises strict anti-conversion law in Maharashtra

BJP promises strict anti-conversion law in Maharashtra

Rediff.com10 Nov 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday promised to enact an-anti conversion law with stringent provisions in Maharashtra, and also assured a skill census for training as per industry needs as well as free ration to low-income families.

Forced religious conversion is a serious issue: SC

Forced religious conversion is a serious issue: SC

Rediff.com5 Dec 2022

Forced religious conversion may pose a danger to national security and impinge on the religious freedom of citizens, the top court had said recently and asked the Centre to step in and make sincere efforts to tackle the "very serious" issue.

India Needs SuperGen To Fight Corruption

India Needs SuperGen To Fight Corruption

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

Correction of India's ills requires focussed direction of our energy. For this, we need a collective Conscience. We need Commitment. We need Cleanliness. We need Cooperation. We need Collaboration. We need Courtesy. And, we need enlightened Conversation, asserts Biswajit Dasgupta.

Important Lessons Learnt After Being Laid Off

Important Lessons Learnt After Being Laid Off

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

A software engineer who was suddenly laid off after 15 years shares the lessons he learnt about how to cope in these uncertain, insecure times.

'We Aren't Security Conscious As A Nation'

'We Aren't Security Conscious As A Nation'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

'Government officials use Gmail and ordinary phones without basic security consciousness.' 'Interoperability, especially in joint exercises with countries like the US, worries me.' 'It often means we open our systems to them, but they don't reciprocate.' 'They could have kill switches in their systems and might even be able to affect ours.'