News for 'freedom of religion bill'

Christian delegation meets K'taka guv against anti-conversion ordinance

Christian delegation meets K'taka guv against anti-conversion ordinance

Rediff.com16 May 2022

To a query on the possibility of approaching court, Machado said that has not been decided, but it would be one of the options to stop the promulgation of the ordinance.

Himachal assembly makes anti-conversion law more stringent

Himachal assembly makes anti-conversion law more stringent

Rediff.com13 Aug 2022

Passed by a voice vote, the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2022, also bans "mass conversion" - described as two or more people converting at the same time - through force or allurement .

'Nehru profoundly misunderstood how important religion was in the lives of the people'

'Nehru profoundly misunderstood how important religion was in the lives of the people'

Rediff.com26 Jan 2022

'Nehru's inability to take religion seriously as a category led to serious errors of judgement in his dealings with the Muslim League, and later, also with the Hindu right.'

Assam govt to bring laws for transparency in marriage, says Himanta Sarma

Assam govt to bring laws for transparency in marriage, says Himanta Sarma

Rediff.com1 Dec 2020

Sarma said, "It will be mandatory for all marriages. There will be a disclosure pro forma given to a wife who'll give it to her husband. It won't be only about religion but everything that a wife needs to know. It won't be in line with Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It'll be empowering women."

MP cabinet approves law against religious conversion

MP cabinet approves law against religious conversion

Rediff.com26 Dec 2020

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Saturday approved the Religious Freedom Bill 2020, which provides for prison term of up to 10 years and fine of Rs 1 lakh for conversion through marriage or by any other fraudulent means, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said.

Karnataka's proposed law has 10-yr jail for mass conversions

Karnataka's proposed law has 10-yr jail for mass conversions

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

The consequences will be stern in case SC/ST and minors are converted.

Why 7 Tamil Sikhs Are Contesting The Elections

Why 7 Tamil Sikhs Are Contesting The Elections

Rediff.com11 Apr 2024

'I declared myself a Sikh. We want freedom from caste discrimination.'

Hinduphobia in US is increasing, warns Democrat Congressman

Hinduphobia in US is increasing, warns Democrat Congressman

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

The US of late has seen a rise in Hinduphobia which needs to be fought because there is no place for hatred in this country, Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar has said, as he joined a group of Hindu leaders and organisations seeking to fight this growing hate crime against the community.

Adityanath govt mulls ordinance against 'love jihad'

Adityanath govt mulls ordinance against 'love jihad'

Rediff.com18 Sep 2020

The aim is to ensure that such crimes are checked and effective action is taken against the culprits.

Amid chants of 'Jai Shri Ram', MP passes law against 'love jihad'

Amid chants of 'Jai Shri Ram', MP passes law against 'love jihad'

Rediff.com8 Mar 2021

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Monday passed a bill that penalises religious conversion through marriage or any other fraudulent means and provides for a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Over 600 authors, scientists seek withdrawal of citizenship bill

Over 600 authors, scientists seek withdrawal of citizenship bill

Rediff.com11 Dec 2019

Scholars and students have cautioned that the proposed divisive and discriminatory changes would harm the country.

Rajya Sabha passes citizenship bill with 125-105 votes

Rajya Sabha passes citizenship bill with 125-105 votes

Rediff.com12 Dec 2019

After a 6.5-hour debate, the upper house clears the bill. Amit Shah said the bill is not anti-Muslim and Indian minorities have nothing to fear from its passage.

Varanasi university lecturer sacked over post on Navratra fast

Varanasi university lecturer sacked over post on Navratra fast

Rediff.com1 Oct 2022

In his social media post in Hindi, Gautam had written, "For women, it is better to read the Constitution of India and the Hindu Code Bill instead of fasting for nine days during Navratra. Their lives will be free from fear and slavery. Jai Bheem."

'The police will be significantly more militarised'

'The police will be significantly more militarised'

Rediff.com20 Dec 2023

'The idea of subversive activities is so vague that it could include making fun of the government, being critical of the government.'

India is a moral giant; no one can damage its image

India is a moral giant; no one can damage its image

Rediff.com16 May 2020

'India's reputation is not and cannot be dependent on the whimsical opinions of some obscure foreign advisory committee packed with Hindu-phobic acolytes,' declares Vivek Gumaste.

'People are frightened, but nobody knows what to do'

'People are frightened, but nobody knows what to do'

Rediff.com15 May 2023

'There is no one who will be able to have a dignified life, when your brother and sister of another community are not being treated as human.'

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.

US commission seeks sanctions against Shah over CAB

US commission seeks sanctions against Shah over CAB

Rediff.com10 Dec 2019

In a statement issued on Monday, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom said that it was deeply troubled over the passage of the bill in Lok Sabha.

'You will see more Muslims getting ticket from BJP'

'You will see more Muslims getting ticket from BJP'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2024

'The tragedy with Indian Muslims is that they do politics from the heart, not from the head.'

RSS says stop religious conversion, enact law

RSS says stop religious conversion, enact law

Rediff.com30 Oct 2021

"There are people who get converted and do not disclose that they have converted. They take double benefits," RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said at a press conference."

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.

PIL on anti-conversion laws: Centre in SC questions Teesta NGO's locus standi

PIL on anti-conversion laws: Centre in SC questions Teesta NGO's locus standi

Rediff.com30 Jan 2023

Alleging that the NGO allows its name to be used "at the behest of some selected political interest", the Union of India told the top court that it is guilty of collecting huge funds by exploiting the agonies of riot-affected people.

Conversion a serious issue, should not politicise it: SC

Conversion a serious issue, should not politicise it: SC

Rediff.com9 Jan 2023

The court had warned a "very difficult situation" will emerge if proselytisation through deception, allurement and intimidation is not stopped.

RS passes bill to grant constitutional status to NCBC

RS passes bill to grant constitutional status to NCBC

Rediff.com6 Aug 2018

The demand was raised during a debate on the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 in the Upper House, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 2 superseding the amendments earlier carried out by the Rajya Sabha.

Why Bommai needs New Delhi's backing to stay on as CM

Why Bommai needs New Delhi's backing to stay on as CM

Rediff.com17 Jan 2022

'Bommai is everybody's man and nobody's man'

Rahul slams govt over CAB, says attack on Constitution

Rahul slams govt over CAB, says attack on Constitution

Rediff.com10 Dec 2019

The Congress slammed the government on Tuesday after the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, with former party chief Rahul Gandhi saying the proposed legislation is an attack on the Constitution and anyone who supports it is attempting to destroy the foundation of the country.

CAB may weaken India's secular character: Bangladesh

CAB may weaken India's secular character: Bangladesh

Rediff.com12 Dec 2019

B'desh minister termed as "untrue" the allegations of minority repression in the country.

CAB passage marks 'dark day' in our history: Sonia

CAB passage marks 'dark day' in our history: Sonia

Rediff.com11 Dec 2019

The Cong president called it a 'victory of narrow minded and bigoted forces' over India's pluralism.

BJP Barking Up The Wrong Tree In Tamil Nadu

BJP Barking Up The Wrong Tree In Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com14 Nov 2022

The BJP continuing to look at the Dravidian polity through the religious prism has not worked in Tamil Nadu whereas it has yielded political and electoral results across much of the rest of the country, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

HC stays sections on interfaith marriage in Gujarat's anti-conversion law

HC stays sections on interfaith marriage in Gujarat's anti-conversion law

Rediff.com19 Aug 2021

The Gujarat high court on Thursday put a stay on the operation of some sections related to interfaith marriages of the state's new anti-conversion law.

How the BJP has CHANGED India

How the BJP has CHANGED India

Rediff.com27 Aug 2021

Since 2014, India has left its moorings as a pluralist, modern, secular State because that is how the BJP wants it to be, notes Aakar Patel.

After Prashant Kishor, JD-U's Pavan Varma slams CAB

After Prashant Kishor, JD-U's Pavan Varma slams CAB

Rediff.com10 Dec 2019

Senior leaders of the party -- Prashant Kishor and Pavan Varma -- have slammed the legislation calling it 'unconstitutional' and urged Nitish Kumar to rethink his support in Parliament.

Karnataka govt is considering law to regulate religious conversion: Home minister

Karnataka govt is considering law to regulate religious conversion: Home minister

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

Indulging in religious conversion with inducement or under pressure is an "unpardonable offence", the state home minister Araga Jnanendra said adding, it may also lead to disturbance of peace in the society.

'None can force me to say Jai Shri Ram'

'None can force me to say Jai Shri Ram'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2021

'It is not that I don't want to say "Jai Shri Ram".' I only said I will not say this slogan under any pressure.'

Why this student is protesting the citizenship law

Why this student is protesting the citizenship law

Rediff.com19 Dec 2019

'I came for my national service. I am the son of people like Gandhiji, Nehru, Patel, Dr Ambedkar and Maulana Azad.'

TN assembly passes resolution urging Centre to repeal CAA

TN assembly passes resolution urging Centre to repeal CAA

Rediff.com9 Sep 2021

The Tamil Nadu assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution urging the Centre to repeal the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 to protect and ensure unity and communal harmony and uphold the secular principles enshrined in the Constitution.

'Murmu should declare Adivasis as India's indigenous people'

'Murmu should declare Adivasis as India's indigenous people'

Rediff.com26 Jul 2022

'I welcome Droupadi Murmu as the first Adivasi woman President of India, but her track record has not been good as a politician and governor of Jharkhand when it came to helping Adivasis,' points out activist Gladson Dungdung.

CAB: Indian Muslims have noting to fear, says Shah

CAB: Indian Muslims have noting to fear, says Shah

Rediff.com12 Dec 2019

In his reply to the debate over the bill, the home minister rejected the charge that it is 'unconstitutional', 'divisive' or 'anti-Muslim'.

Interfaith couples uneasy as 'love jihad' storm rages

Interfaith couples uneasy as 'love jihad' storm rages

Rediff.com24 Nov 2020

'How can one bring jihad into a relationship? How can one be restricted on the grounds of religion in marital things?'

Wasn't paying attention in history class: Tharoor on Amit Shah

Wasn't paying attention in history class: Tharoor on Amit Shah

Rediff.com11 Dec 2019

The MP from Thiruvananthapuram was taking a dig at the BJP president for holding the Congress responsible for India's partition on religious lines. Tharoor said, in fact, it was the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League who were espousing the two-nation theory.