News for 'mosques'

TMC suspends MLA who proposed to build 'Babri Masjid'

TMC suspends MLA who proposed to build 'Babri Masjid'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Thursday suspended its Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir, who had triggered a storm with the proposal to build 'Babri Masjid' in Murshidabad district.

No Ramzan decorations in Sambhal mosque without ASI nod: DM

No Ramzan decorations in Sambhal mosque without ASI nod: DM

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

The Sambhal administration in Uttar Pradesh has stated that no work should be carried out on the Shahi Jama Masjid without the approval of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This decision comes after the mosque's management committee sought permission to redecorate the mosque ahead of Ramzan. The matter is currently pending in court, and the property belongs to the ASI. The administration has emphasized that no tampering with the mosque is allowed until the ASI grants permission.

Jairam gives Rajnath diary entries to rebut 'Nehru-Babri' claim

Jairam gives Rajnath diary entries to rebut 'Nehru-Babri' claim

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh gave Defence Minister Rajnath Singh diary entries of Vallabhbhai Patel's daughter, disputing claims that Nehru wanted to build the Babri Masjid with public funds.

UK bars US Islamic preacher's entry for defending Hamas

UK bars US Islamic preacher's entry for defending Hamas

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Britain has banned the entry of an Islamic preacher, Dr. Shadee Elmasry, over his defence of Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel. The UK Home Office cited concerns about hate speech and extremist ideas.

Apple harvest made J-K man quit Red Fort terror plot

Apple harvest made J-K man quit Red Fort terror plot

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

Investigations into the 'white collar' terror module busted after the recent car bombing near Red Fort showed that the mastermind Dr Umar-un Nabi had attempted to recruit a second suicide bomber but could not succeed as he backed out of the terror plot citing the need to help his family during the apple harvest, officials said on Sunday.

Bengal on edge after rebel TMC MLA's Babri plan, NH-34 warnings

Bengal on edge after rebel TMC MLA's Babri plan, NH-34 warnings

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Estranged TMC MLA Humayun Kabir's plan to build a mosque modeled on the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad has sparked a political firestorm in West Bengal, with accusations and warnings escalating tensions ahead of state elections.

'Hinduism Is A Large-Hearted Religion'

'Hinduism Is A Large-Hearted Religion'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

'If at all human beings require a religion, the future religion will be Hinduism.'

Khaleda Zia to be laid to rest beside husband; Jaishankar to attend funeral

Khaleda Zia to be laid to rest beside husband; Jaishankar to attend funeral

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

The funeral of Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia will be held on Wednesday, and she will be buried with full state honors beside her husband, late president Ziaur Rahman.

Disputed 'private well' near Sambhal mosque on govt land, UP tells SC

Disputed 'private well' near Sambhal mosque on govt land, UP tells SC

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government has informed the Supreme Court that the disputed "private well" near the Mughal-era Jama Masjid mosque in Sambhal was situated on public land. The state government said the petitioner failed to disclose there was a well within the boundary walls of the mosque known locally as "yagna koop". The committee, in a spot inspection, found that the well was situated outside the mosque boundary wall, the report said. The report said the state was committed to ensuring peace and harmony in the region and any restraint on the use of such public wells by the community at large may not help in achieving that goal.

HC stays proceedings in Sambhal mosque case

HC stays proceedings in Sambhal mosque case

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

The Allahabad high court on Wednesday stayed further proceedings before a civil court hearing the dispute over Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal.

Security beefed up at Indian mission in Bangladesh

Security beefed up at Indian mission in Bangladesh

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

Security has been strengthened at the Indian Assistant High Commission office and the visa application centre in Bangladesh's Sylhet city in the wake of heightened tensions following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, officials said on Saturday.

Forces opposing Somnath temple reconstruction still active: Modi

Forces opposing Somnath temple reconstruction still active: Modi

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that forces opposing the reconstruction of the Somnath temple after independence are still active and that India needs to be vigilant and united to counter them. He highlighted the temple's history of resilience against repeated attacks and emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made to protect it.

Khaleda Zia laid to rest with state honour amid tight security

Khaleda Zia laid to rest with state honour amid tight security

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

Funeral prayers were held for Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia amid tight security. Millions joined the namaz-e-janaza of Zia, a three-time Prime Minister and political icon of Bangladesh.

Show us proof: Cong calls Rajnath's Nehru-Babri claim a 'lie'

Show us proof: Cong calls Rajnath's Nehru-Babri claim a 'lie'

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The Congress party has strongly refuted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's claim that Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to build the Babri Masjid using public funds, calling it a 'lie' and a 'WhatsApp university story'. Congress leaders have accused Singh of distorting history and distracting from real issues.

ASI team assesses Sambhal mosque for whitewashing after court order

ASI team assesses Sambhal mosque for whitewashing after court order

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

An Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team on Thursday carried out measurements and assessments ahead of the planned whitewashing and renovation work of the Shahi Jama Masjid, officials said.

When Turkman Gate Was Demolished In 1976

When Turkman Gate Was Demolished In 1976

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

A legend that sprang up after the Turkman Gate killing is that when the shrine is disturbed, the government will fall, as it happened with the Indira Gandhi government.

India suspends visa centre in B'desh's Chittagong amid tension

India suspends visa centre in B'desh's Chittagong amid tension

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

India has suspended visa operations at its application center in Chittagong, Bangladesh, following heightened tensions and protests after the death of a student leader.

J-K man among two more held in Arunachal on Pak spying charges

J-K man among two more held in Arunachal on Pak spying charges

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Two more individuals have been arrested in Arunachal Pradesh on charges of espionage, bringing the total number of arrests to four. The individuals are accused of sharing sensitive security information with Pakistani handlers.

Deepika Wears A Hijab, Gets Trolled

Deepika Wears A Hijab, Gets Trolled

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

When Deepika Padukone wore a hijab for a promotional ad, she probably didn't expect the trolling to be this bad.

HC refuses to stay foundation-laying of 'Babri Masjid' in Bengal

HC refuses to stay foundation-laying of 'Babri Masjid' in Bengal

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

The Calcutta high court on Friday refused to intervene in the construction of a mosque -- modelled on Ayodhya's Babri Masjid -- at Beldanga in West Bengal's Murshidabad, proposed by suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir.

Friday prayers pass off peacefully at Sambhal mosque

Friday prayers pass off peacefully at Sambhal mosque

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

Tension has been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.

Zohran Mamdani thanks family from 'Kampala to Dilli'

Zohran Mamdani thanks family from 'Kampala to Dilli'

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

Zohran Mamdani, of Indian origin, was sworn in as the 112th Mayor of New York City, promising an agenda of affordability and inclusivity. He is the first South Asian and Muslim to hold the position.

SIT formed to probe activities of Al Falah University

SIT formed to probe activities of Al Falah University

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

While multiple agencies are currently probing the car blast in Delhi and the recently busted white collar terror module spread across at least three states, Faridabad Police has formed a separate Special Investigation Team to look into the activities of Al Falah University, several of whose doctors were arrested in connection with the high profile case.

SC extends stay on survey of Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura

SC extends stay on survey of Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India has extended its stay on a court-monitored survey of the Shahi Idgah Mosque complex in Mathura, which is located adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. The court deferred the hearing on a plea against the survey to April 1, while the interim order staying the survey will continue to operate. The Hindu side claims that the mosque complex holds signs of a temple that once existed at the site, while the Muslim side contends that the lawsuits filed by the Hindu litigants violate the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991.

Himachal town on edge over Maharana Pratap statue near mosque

Himachal town on edge over Maharana Pratap statue near mosque

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

A proposed statue of Maharana Pratap in front of a mosque in Sujanpur Tira town, Himachal Pradesh, has sparked tensions between the Hindu and Muslim communities. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for the statue to be erected at the approved spot, while a delegation of Muslims has submitted a memorandum to the local administration requesting it not to be installed in front of the mosque. The deputy commissioner has asked the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) to look into the issue and resolve it.

How To Stay Safe During Umrah

How To Stay Safe During Umrah

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Tips to avoid the heat, crowds, and travel risks, including incidents like the tragic Mufrihat accident that killed 45 Indian pilgrims.

Sambhal violence: Mosque chief held; high alert in district post arrest

Sambhal violence: Mosque chief held; high alert in district post arrest

Rediff.com23 Mar 2025

Zafar Ali, the president of the Shahi Jama Masjid committee in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, was arrested on Sunday in connection with the violence that erupted in November 2022 over a court-ordered survey of the mosque. Ali's brother alleged that the arrest was intended to prevent him from submitting his testimony before a judicial commission investigating the violence. The mosque has been at the center of a controversy after a petition claimed it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple. The violence resulted in four deaths and several injuries.

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Mundane as it may seem, this is in some ways a metaphor for the challenges facing the nation, argue Arvind Subramanian and Devesh Kapur in their new book, A Sixth Of Humanity.

Ancient temples 'converted' into mosques be vacated, demands Akhara chief

Ancient temples 'converted' into mosques be vacated, demands Akhara chief

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

The president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Mahant Ravindra Puri, has demanded the evacuation of mosques built on ancient temples across India. Puri, who is also the president of the Mansa Devi Temple Trust in Haridwar, claims that around 80% of mosques in India are built on temples and that their domes resemble those of temples. He has appealed to Muslims to hand over such structures to Hindus and has called for the formation of a "Sanatan Board" to protect Hindu religious institutions. Puri also denied banning Muslims from attending the Maha Kumbh Mela, saying that they are welcome to visit and learn about Hinduism.

3 held for trying to perform havan, puja at Sambhal mosque

3 held for trying to perform havan, puja at Sambhal mosque

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Three men from Delhi were detained in Sambhal, India, for allegedly attempting to perform Hindu rituals, including a havan and puja, at the Shahi Jama Masjid. The incident occurred on Friday, with police citing concerns about public order and potential disruption to communal harmony. The mosque is a site of ongoing religious tensions, with four people having died in violence last year related to a court-ordered survey. The detainees claimed they were attempting to perform rituals at a nearby Vishnu Harihar temple.

SC to hear mosque panel's plea in Shahi Idgah dispute on Wednesday

SC to hear mosque panel's plea in Shahi Idgah dispute on Wednesday

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India will hear a plea from the mosque management committee challenging an order rejecting its petition in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh on January 15. The Allahabad High Court had rejected the mosque committee's plea, stating that the religious character of the Shahi Idgah mosque needed to be determined. The case involves claims that the mosque was built after the demolition of a temple, a claim disputed by the mosque committee. The Supreme Court will now decide on the maintainability of the mosque committee's plea.

Mosques covered for 'Laat Saheb' Holi procession in UP town

Mosques covered for 'Laat Saheb' Holi procession in UP town

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

The city of Shahjahanpur in India celebrates Holi with a unique procession called "Laat Saheb," where revellers hurl footwear at a man impersonating a British Lord. The tradition dates back to the 18th century and has evolved over time. The procession involves a seven-kilometer route, prayers at a temple, and a symbolic bribe offered to the police. The event is marked by strict security measures, including barricades, CCTV cameras, and the covering of mosques with tarpaulins. The procession is seen as a way to commemorate the city's history of freedom fighters and to discourage the British colonizers.

Students stage protest demanding removal of mosque from UP college

Students stage protest demanding removal of mosque from UP college

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Students at Udai Pratap College in Varanasi, India, protested demanding the removal of a mosque located on the campus. The protest came after tensions arose when a section of students recited Hanuman Chalisa near the mosque while prayers were being offered. The college administration has denied claims by the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board that the mosque and surrounding land are Waqf property, stating that the mosque was built illegally. The college administration has also accused the mosque of stealing electricity.

Portion of 185-year-old UP mosque demolished for highway widening

Portion of 185-year-old UP mosque demolished for highway widening

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

The mosque's management committee chief, however, claimed that the Noori Masjid in Lalauli town was built in 1839 while the road around it came up only in 1956, and said they have already moved the Allahabad high court which will take up the petition on December 12.

SC notice to UP on contempt plea over Kushinagar mosque demolition

SC notice to UP on contempt plea over Kushinagar mosque demolition

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

The Supreme Court of India has directed Uttar Pradesh authorities to respond to contempt proceedings for allegedly razing a portion of a mosque in Kushinagar, defying a previous court order. The court has also ordered a halt to any further demolition of the structure. The demolition was carried out despite a November 2024 Supreme Court ruling that barred demolition without a prior show cause notice and a 15-day response period. The petitioners allege the demolition was carried out in violation of legal process and the Supreme Court's guidelines, as well as without providing an opportunity for a hearing.

TMC MLA's Babri replica plan on Dec 6 sparks row; party distances itself

TMC MLA's Babri replica plan on Dec 6 sparks row; party distances itself

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

A major controversy has erupted in West Bengal after a TMC MLA announced plans to lay the foundation stone of a mosque modeled on the Babri Masjid, leading to political backlash and concerns over communal polarization.

B'desh govt urges citizens to resist violence; no clashes since morning

B'desh govt urges citizens to resist violence; no clashes since morning

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the July Uprising in Bangladesh, died after being shot, sparking protests and political unrest. The interim government has promised action, while demonstrators have targeted media outlets and blamed India.

Passport Ready? 4 Cheapest Destinations From India

Passport Ready? 4 Cheapest Destinations From India

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Passport Ready? 4 Cheapest Destinations From Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai & Mumbai

Chinese doctors reach Dhaka amid tight security to treat Zia

Chinese doctors reach Dhaka amid tight security to treat Zia

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Security has been tightened around former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia as a medical team from China arrived to assist in her treatment. Zia is in critical condition at a private hospital in Dhaka, suffering from heart and lung infections.

Sambhal mosque survey conducted on orders of....: Hindu side lawyer

Sambhal mosque survey conducted on orders of....: Hindu side lawyer

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

A lawyer representing the Hindu side in the ongoing dispute over the Sambhal Jama Masjid has defended the second survey of the mosque, claiming it was conducted on the orders of the advocate commissioner. He also dismissed claims that the survey was conducted in haste or without court orders.