News for 'freedom of religion'

Can Robots now be given citizenship?

Can Robots now be given citizenship?

Rediff.com16 Dec 2017

'Could robots vote for effective political leadership?' 'Arguably they could do this better than humans.' 'They are far better at fact-checking for obvious lies, and far better at gauging the sincerity of statements by analysing body language, facial movements and vocal tonality of speakers,' says Devangshu Datta.

Naked man vandalises Gurdwara in Washington

Naked man vandalises Gurdwara in Washington

Rediff.com4 Mar 2016

Deputies say that Pittman was arrested early Thursday morning wearing nothing but a sheet taken from the temple's furnishings. He was also holding the gurdwara's ceremonial sword.

Development shouldn't be seen through political prism: PM @ AMU event

Development shouldn't be seen through political prism: PM @ AMU event

Rediff.com22 Dec 2020

The last time a prime minister attended an event at AMU was Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1964. Before him, then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had visited the AMU four times.

CAA: A message to the Indian Muslim

CAA: A message to the Indian Muslim

Rediff.com21 Dec 2019

'We are telling them we have isolated them and their religion as not only unwanted,' says Aakar Patel.

'It is not easy to misappropriate Netaji'

'It is not easy to misappropriate Netaji'

Rediff.com7 Apr 2021

'He was always opposed to a form of nationalism that was narrow, selfish and arrogant.' 'He will always remain a beacon of inspiration for freedom-loving people across the world and for movements of resistance against oppressive State power.'

Pak activist Asma Jehangir meets J&K CM

Pak activist Asma Jehangir meets J&K CM

Rediff.com7 Mar 2008

Both Jehangir and Azad stressed the importance of the resumption of the India-Pakistan peace process and confidence-building measures, which had slowed down due to the internal situation in Pakistan. The two also discussed the post-election scenario in Pakistan and the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Why Raakhee LOVES Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Why Raakhee LOVES Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Rediff.com18 Aug 2015

The actress was simply bowled over by its message of Indo-Pak friendship.

The truth about Bangladesh's Hindus

The truth about Bangladesh's Hindus

Rediff.com22 Mar 2006

SC reserves order on referring Sabarimala temple entry row to Constitution Bench

SC reserves order on referring Sabarimala temple entry row to Constitution Bench

Rediff.com20 Feb 2017

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its verdict on whether to refer the matters pertaining to the ban on entry of women aged between 10 to 50 years at Kerala's Sabrimala temple to its constitution bench.

'I want to shed a new light on women'

'I want to shed a new light on women'

Rediff.com25 Aug 2020

'The show is about women taking ownership of their lives.'

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'.

Has Mumbai turned into a small town?

Has Mumbai turned into a small town?

Rediff.com10 Sep 2015

Any city that imposes a ban on food of any kind to appease the sensibility of a particular religion has lost any right to be called cosmopolitan and progressive, feels Tanmaya Nanada

Dalai Lama honoured

Dalai Lama honoured

Rediff.com30 Oct 2007

Extolling Mahatma Gandhi's message of harmony, peace and brotherhood, the Dalai Lama has urged followers of all religions to show tolerance, understanding and respect for all faiths and follow the path of non-violence.

SC refers Sabarimala review petitions to larger bench

SC refers Sabarimala review petitions to larger bench

Rediff.com15 Nov 2019

A majority verdict by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices A M Khanwilkar and Indu Malhotra decided to keep pending the pleas seeking a review of its decision regarding the entry of women into the shrine, and said restrictions on women in religious places was not restricted to Sabarimala alone and was prevalent in other religions as well.

'Modi should rein in trouble makers around him': Amjad Ali Khan

'Modi should rein in trouble makers around him': Amjad Ali Khan

Rediff.com1 Nov 2015

Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan on Sunday said writers and artistes who returned their awards "are not mad" but pained at the situation in the country, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should rein in people responsible for it as there is lot of hope from him.

Pakistan parliament condemns 'blasphemous' Charlie Hebdo cartoons

Pakistan parliament condemns 'blasphemous' Charlie Hebdo cartoons

Rediff.com15 Jan 2015

Pakistan parliament on Thursday adopted a unanimous resolution against the caricatures published by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, saying it is a deliberate attempt to 'widen misunderstandings among civilisations' and incite violence.

How are 'minorities' allowed tax benefits under HUF?

How are 'minorities' allowed tax benefits under HUF?

Rediff.com3 Jan 2017

Should the Income-Tax Act have been simultaneously amended to exclude Sikhs and Jains from the definition of HUF once they were declared a minority by the government? Sanjeev Nayyar discusses the curious dichotomies in our laws.

We are one American family: Obama in US mosque

We are one American family: Obama in US mosque

Rediff.com4 Feb 2016

Amid growing anti-Muslim rhetoric in the US poll campaign, President Barack Obama today made his first visit to a mosque as part of his effort to assure the religious minority of their safety and security and celebrate religious diversity of the country.

'Sabarimala issue is dividing Hindu society'

'Sabarimala issue is dividing Hindu society'

Rediff.com17 Oct 2018

'The first time a ban on women aged between 10 and 50 entering Sabarimala came was in 1991 and was by a high court judgment.' 'So, it is only a 27-year-old ban.' 'The high court can fix customs and the Supreme Court can overturn it.' 'I don't see this as an attack on religious freedom or the practice of a religion.'

Villagers file case against 'preacher' IAS officer

Villagers file case against 'preacher' IAS officer

Rediff.com8 Oct 2014

'The Constitution allows me the Right to Freedom of Speech and Religious Freedom. But this is not religion... this is spiritual discourse,' says IAS officer C Umashankar, who is being prosecuted in the Madras high court for hurting the feelings of Hindus.

The Hindu girl who challenged Haryana govt to marry a Muslim

The Hindu girl who challenged Haryana govt to marry a Muslim

Rediff.com8 Aug 2018

'They told me that the marriage registrar would send a letter to my parents informing them about my marriage.'

Why the law on sedition needs to be scrapped

Why the law on sedition needs to be scrapped

Rediff.com16 Jul 2018

'The best remedy would be to scrap Section 124-A of the IPC, a colonial vestige, altogether.' 'However, if legislators don't want to do so, they can do two things.' 'They can formally amend Section 124-A to bring it in line with what the Supreme Court has said about sedition.' 'The words which stand on the statute book today were inserted in 1898.' 'The Supreme Court's words are not a part of Section 124-A.'

Obama denounces Trump over 'dangerous' Muslim ban proposal

Obama denounces Trump over 'dangerous' Muslim ban proposal

Rediff.com15 Jun 2016

Obama said the argument of labels has mostly been partisan rhetoric and harming America's fight against terrorism.

Do you believe in faith healing?

Do you believe in faith healing?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2005

Tell us!

What Rahul now needs to do

What Rahul now needs to do

Rediff.com16 Dec 2017

'His prowess in Aikido -- a Japanese martial art that focuses on harmony with the opponent to peacefully resolve conflicts -- gives Rahul Gandhi an advantage that fanatical adversaries lack,' says Sunanda K Datta-Ray.

'No fear of India turning authoritarian'

'No fear of India turning authoritarian'

Rediff.com7 Jun 2019

'The objective is not to make India into a one religion place, but to ensure that there is harmonious and peaceful co-existence of all faiths with each of them having their cultural personality.'

Commercial MNCs are checked, so why not religious MNCs?

Commercial MNCs are checked, so why not religious MNCs?

Rediff.com19 Dec 2014

Anti-conversion laws are needed since thrusting the idea of a competitive battlefield of religion onto India's pluralistic traditions can only lead to greater communal conflict, says Sankrant Sanu

'We refuse to be bullied into silence'

'We refuse to be bullied into silence'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2019

MUST READ: The speech Nayantara Sahgal was not allowed to give.

Time for India to fix relations with Kuwait

Time for India to fix relations with Kuwait

Rediff.com6 Oct 2020

'Modi has visited all these three countries (the UAE more than once, inexplicably) but has left out Kuwait and Oman, the two Gulf countries that are closest to India in their political, cultural and civilisational ethos,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

A Feminist Messiah Passes Into The Ages

A Feminist Messiah Passes Into The Ages

Rediff.com11 Sep 2021

Sonal lived the feminist slogan: The personal is political, in a way few feminists have been able to. She will be remembered and missed for doing this not with a dour self-righteousness, but with humour and a rare joie de vivre, remembers Jyoti Punwani.

'Sameer Gaikwad is innocent; we believe in the Constitution'

'Sameer Gaikwad is innocent; we believe in the Constitution'

Rediff.com28 Sep 2015

'The Sanatan Sanstha does not believe in violence. The concept of violence and threatening people doesn't fit into our ideology and principles.' 'There are some people who are opposed to Hindu religion. They think propagating the tenets of the Hindu religion is a sign of backwardness.' 'While the RSS and Sanatan Sanstha propagate Hindutvavad and cultural nationalism, we do have our differences, which in a democratic society is absolutely normal and required.'

Opposition should aim for 2029

Opposition should aim for 2029

Rediff.com7 Sep 2021

The Opposition must understand that while 2024 may draw mileage from the growing resentment towards the BJP, the real battle and proof of how well India learnt from its disastrous dalliance with the Right-wing, will be in 2029, observes Shyam G Menon.

Why the world is worried about India

Why the world is worried about India

Rediff.com20 Dec 2019

'The feeling is growing that if India slips in the realms of liberal tenets, it will be a tragedy not only for the country, but also for the world because it will lose a remarkable role model,' notes Amulya Ganguli.

SC stays Rajasthan HC verdict declaring Jain practice of 'Santhara' illegal

SC stays Rajasthan HC verdict declaring Jain practice of 'Santhara' illegal

Rediff.com31 Aug 2015

The Rajasthan high court had in August made Santhara punishable under section 306 and 309 IPC (abatement of suicide).

Khalid Masood is a product of the West, not Islam

Khalid Masood is a product of the West, not Islam

Rediff.com28 Mar 2017

'Did Islam kill those five people in London?' 'Or did one wacko individual do them in?' asks Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.

Bombay HC refuses to relax beef ban for Bakri Eid

Bombay HC refuses to relax beef ban for Bakri Eid

Rediff.com21 Sep 2015

The Bombay high court on Monday refused to grant interim stay on ban on slaughter of bulls and sale of their meat during the Muslim festival of Bakri Eid.

Why Mohanlal is angry

Why Mohanlal is angry

Rediff.com22 Jan 2016

The latest updates from the Malayalam film industry.

'Vegetarianism can help'

'Vegetarianism can help'

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

'But one of the important things to remember is that what we are seeing today in India -- the destruction of the forests, the opening up of the forests to mining companies.' 'It's a horrifying thing that's going on.' 'Yet, if you look at who owns the mining companies, you will see that almost always they are vegetarians!' 'They are people, who in their own lives would probably not even hurt an insect, but yet have no qualms about destroying an entire ecosystem.'

Obama's response to Virginia violence becomes most 'liked' tweet in history

Obama's response to Virginia violence becomes most 'liked' tweet in history

Rediff.com16 Aug 2017

The tweet has been endorsed by more than 2.8 million social media users and has also been retweeted by over 1.2 million times.

SC quashes FIR against winking sensation Priya Varrier

SC quashes FIR against winking sensation Priya Varrier

Rediff.com31 Aug 2018

The court said that the Malayalam folk song has been in the public domain since 1978 and the song video cannot be termed as blasphemous.