News for 'religious bias'

India Dismisses US Religious Freedom Concerns as 'Distorted'

India Dismisses US Religious Freedom Concerns as 'Distorted'

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

The Indian government has dismissed the US Commission on International Religious Freedom's (USCIRF) report on religious freedom in India, stating that it does not recognise the commission's authority to comment on the rights of Indian citizens.

'Within framework of law': Nagpur top cop defends RSS event speech

'Within framework of law': Nagpur top cop defends RSS event speech

Rediff.com1 days ago

Nagpur Commissioner of Police Vishwas Nangare Patil has addressed the controversy surrounding an old video where he appeared to praise the RSS. He asserted that his remarks at the event were within legal frameworks and did not violate service rules, emphasising his commitment to the Constitution and respect for all communities. The controversy arose after the Maharashtra Congress and MNS chief Raj Thackeray criticised his speech, questioning his neutrality.

One in five hate crimes in US due to religious bias

One in five hate crimes in US due to religious bias

Rediff.com11 Dec 2012

One in five hate crimes reported in the US in 2011 were due to religious bias, most of them stemming from anti-Jewish and anti-Islamic prejudice, while almost half of such crimes were racially-motivated, the FBI has said in its new data.

Bihar Parents Claim Children Were Targeted Due To Their Faith

Bihar Parents Claim Children Were Targeted Due To Their Faith

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

Parents in Bihar allege their children were wrongly accused of being trafficked and were instead travelling to madrassas for education, claiming religious bias in the case.

'BJP a secular party with no religious bias'

'BJP a secular party with no religious bias'

Rediff.com12 Sep 2013

Shahnawaz Akhtar spoke to Diya Kumari at the iconic City Palace, which doubles up as her residence and office, where the princess opened up about her joining hands with the saffron brigade, being addressed by name and to a lot more.

Bhojshala a Saraswati temple, rules HC; suggests alternate land for mosque

Bhojshala a Saraswati temple, rules HC; suggests alternate land for mosque

Rediff.com16 May 2026

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has declared the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, suggesting the Muslim community seek land elsewhere for a mosque.

Corporate India's Conduct Conundrum: Bridging Policy and Practice

Corporate India's Conduct Conundrum: Bridging Policy and Practice

Rediff.com30 Apr 2026

Recent controversies at major IT firms like TCS and Infosys have highlighted a persistent gap between workplace conduct policies and their implementation in corporate India. While companies assert zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination, employees and experts point to uneven enforcement and the need to embed ethical behaviour into organisational culture.

Corporate India's Conduct Conundrum: Bridging Policy and Practice

Corporate India's Conduct Conundrum: Bridging Policy and Practice

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

Recent controversies at major IT firms like TCS and Infosys have highlighted a persistent gap between workplace conduct policies and their implementation in corporate India. While companies assert zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination, employees and experts point to uneven enforcement and the need to embed ethical behaviour into organisational culture.

'Distorted': India slams US body's call for sanctions on R&AW, RSS

'Distorted': India slams US body's call for sanctions on R&AW, RSS

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

India has rejected a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) that criticised India's record on religious freedom and called for linking US security assistance and trade to improvements in this area.

Hindu party files caveat in SC to be heard in Bhojshala appeal

Hindu party files caveat in SC to be heard in Bhojshala appeal

Rediff.com15 May 2026

A Hindu party has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court regarding the Bhojshala complex dispute, seeking a hearing before any orders are passed on appeals against the Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision.

BJP Defends Shone George's Criticism of Kerala Media House

BJP Defends Shone George's Criticism of Kerala Media House

Rediff.com11 Apr 2026

The BJP has defended its leader Shone George's criticism of a Malayalam newspaper, Deepika, alleging it was favouring the UDF ahead of Kerala's Assembly elections. The party claims it respects all religions and aims for equal treatment.

BJP-TMC clash dominates as Bengal heads into final phase voting

BJP-TMC clash dominates as Bengal heads into final phase voting

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

The campaign for the current election cycle ended on Monday as canvassing for the final phase in West Bengal concluded with a bitter war of words between rival parties over cross-border infiltration, corruption, unemployment and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

US report calls for 'targeted sanctions' against R&AW, RSS

US report calls for 'targeted sanctions' against R&AW, RSS

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

A US federal government commission has raised concerns about the state of religious freedom in India, recommending its designation as a 'Country of Particular Concern' and suggesting targeted sanctions.

BJP Defends Shone George's Criticism of Kerala Media House

BJP Defends Shone George's Criticism of Kerala Media House

Rediff.com11 Apr 2026

BJP state general secretary S Suresh defends party leader Shone George's criticism of a Malayalam daily, Deepika, alleging its misuse for political interests ahead of the Kerala Assembly polls. The BJP maintains it respects all religions and aims for equal justice, denying any communal stance.

India's Republic Faces Ambedkar Test

India's Republic Faces Ambedkar Test

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

'A genuine tribute to Dr Ambedkar does not lie in selective invocation. It lies in asking a harder question: Is the Constitution still doing its job -- restraining even assertive majorities?' asks Manoj Mohanka.

Rigged, biased, distasteful: Hasina reacts to death penalty

Rigged, biased, distasteful: Hasina reacts to death penalty

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death in absentia in Bangladesh, denounces the tribunal as biased and rigged, claiming the verdict reveals the murderous intent of extremist figures within the interim government.

'Those who abuse Modi...': BJP leader refuses blankets to Muslim woman

'Those who abuse Modi...': BJP leader refuses blankets to Muslim woman

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

A former BJP MP in Rajasthan is facing accusations of religious discrimination after allegedly insulting a Muslim woman and taking back a blanket during a distribution event.

SC delivers split verdict on review of Akola riots SIT order

SC delivers split verdict on review of Akola riots SIT order

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on a plea by the Maharashtra government seeking a review of the court's earlier direction to form a special investigation team (SIT) with Hindu and Muslim officers to investigate the 2023 Akola communal riots. Justice Sanjay Kumar refused to review the direction, while Justice Satish Chandra Sharma agreed to hear the review plea in open court.

'Biased, motivated': India trashes US panel report on religious freedom

'Biased, motivated': India trashes US panel report on religious freedom

Rediff.com3 May 2023

In its annual report on religious freedom, the USCIRF asked the US State Department to designate India as a "country of particular concern" on the status of religious freedom along with several other nations.

After US, Israel cuts ties with several UN bodies

After US, Israel cuts ties with several UN bodies

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Following an examination and discussions held in the aftermath of the United States' decision to withdraw from dozens of international organisations, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa'ar, has decided that Jerusalem will immediately sever all contact with several United Nations agencies and international bodies, citing what the government described as persistent bias, politicisation and actions hostile to Israel.

Why UGC's New Equity Rules Finally Have Teeth

Why UGC's New Equity Rules Finally Have Teeth

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

'What has changed is that the new regulations are backed by a clear enforcement framework. They have real consequences and, for the first time, make compliance unavoidable.'

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

This is the first Budget in my memory of Budgets over the last half a century which has embraced upfront, enthusiastically and emphatically, technology, modernity and fiscal sobriety, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

RSS@100: The Challenges Ahead

RSS@100: The Challenges Ahead

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

'The RSS, that advocated military strength, remained in the ideological doghouse for over half a century. Many of the RSS' responses even today carry the burden of this past,' points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

The Karnataka Legislative Council passed a bill to curb hate speech, facing strong opposition from BJP and JD(S), who criticized it as 'draconian' and a threat to free speech. The bill proposes jail terms and fines for hate crimes and repeated offenses.

India lambasts US report on religious freedom

India lambasts US report on religious freedom

Rediff.com28 Jun 2024

In an unusually hard-hitting response to criticism against it in a United States government report on religious freedom, India on Friday described the findings as 'deeply biased', visibly driven by 'votebank' considerations and a mix of imputations and selective usage of facts.

India rejects US panel report on religious freedom as 'biased'

India rejects US panel report on religious freedom as 'biased'

Rediff.com29 Apr 2020

In the 2020 edition of its annual report on International Religious Freedom, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) alleged that religious freedom in India witnessed a drastic downward turn.

SIR showdown in Bengal: Mamata, BJP hold rallies

SIR showdown in Bengal: Mamata, BJP hold rallies

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Thousands of TMC supporters thronged the rally route, waving the party flags, raising slogans and holding aloft colourful posters.

How To Answer 'Are You Married' And More Tricky Job Qs

How To Answer 'Are You Married' And More Tricky Job Qs

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

Career gaps and marital status don't have anything to do with your commitment or capability, says Shruti Swaroop, founder of Embrace Consulting and co-founder of International Inclusion Alliance.

'We are not pointing a finger at any community'

'We are not pointing a finger at any community'

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

'I don't know what people will say, but as a liberal Muslim, I can say that I had no problems with the viewpoint of the film. Because we are not maligning any community, if we were I wouldn't have done this film...'

DU's move to drop papers on Pak, China, Islam sparks row

DU's move to drop papers on Pak, China, Islam sparks row

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

While some called it ideological censorship, those who supported the decision termed it a step towards making the syllabus "India-centric" and free from bias.

India calls US report on human rights 'deeply biased'

India calls US report on human rights 'deeply biased'

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

India on Friday described a United States State Department report citing alleged incidents of human rights violations including in Manipur as 'deeply biased' and said it reflects a poor understanding of India and it attach no value to it.

Has Vijay Changed After Karur Stampede?

Has Vijay Changed After Karur Stampede?

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

Vijay, despite the loud message from his delayed arrival at the road-show/stampede venue, and more so his continued inaccessibility for fans-turned-cadres after graduating from a super-star to a political party leader with electoral ambitions, refuses to change. Or, so it seems, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Sholay Still Speaks to India's Soul

Sholay Still Speaks to India's Soul

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

Even after 50 years, Sholay remains a lasting reminder of unity, shared memories and the joy of cinema, notes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

Madras university cancels lecture on spreading Christianity in India

Madras university cancels lecture on spreading Christianity in India

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

The University of Madras has cancelled a lecture titled "How to Spread Christianity in India" after facing protests from student groups, Hindu organisations and outrage on social media. The lecture, scheduled for March 14, was part of the Sir S Subramania Ayyar Endowment Lecture series. The university stated that the department organising the lecture did not obtain approval from the university to conduct it. The ABVP, a student wing of the BJP, claimed credit for the lecture's cancellation, highlighting their commitment to preventing the promotion of biased ideologies within universities.

US commission seeks sanctions on India over 'violation' of religious freedom

US commission seeks sanctions on India over 'violation' of religious freedom

Rediff.com2 May 2023

The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also recommended to the Congress to raise the issue of religious freedom during US-India bilateral meetings, and hold hearings on it.

'Ill-informed': India rejects criticism in US religious freedom report

'Ill-informed': India rejects criticism in US religious freedom report

Rediff.com3 Jun 2022

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the observation on India in the report is based on 'motivated inputs and biased views'.

Religious freedom in India under threat, says US report in yearend update

Religious freedom in India under threat, says US report in yearend update

Rediff.com23 Nov 2022

Religious freedom and related human rights in India are under ongoing threat, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom alleged on Tuesday in an unusual year-end update of the status of its assessment of religious freedom in the country.

US govt body wants India named as 'country of concern'

US govt body wants India named as 'country of concern'

Rediff.com3 Oct 2024

A US federal government commission has flagged the alleged worsening of religious freedom in India and called for it to be designated as a "Country of Particular Concern".

Hate crime in US increased by 12% in 2021: FBI

Hate crime in US increased by 12% in 2021: FBI

Rediff.com14 Mar 2023

The FBI also said that 43.2 per cent of the total crimes recorded were related to intimidation.

Gurdwaras, churches to be next target: Oppn on Waqf bill

Gurdwaras, churches to be next target: Oppn on Waqf bill

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

'They want to snatch the land and give it to their friends'