The BJP team under the new national president Nitin Nabin, who took charge in January, is expected to be announced within this month, with sources suggesting that some holding positions in the government may move to the party.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday took note of religious conversions, saying that an anti-conversion law should be made to stop such acts.
A Nashik police Crime Branch team arrived in Mumbra, Thane district, to track down a woman accused in a case related to alleged religious conversion and sexual harassment at a TCS unit. The absconding accused has been on the police radar following complaints in Nashik, where the scandal-hit TCS unit is based.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the central government of providing special treatment to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is accused in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case. Mann's criticism comes after Union Minister Amit Shah spoke about gang activities in Punjab.
The Allahabad high court has delivered a split verdict on the controversial practice of "bulldozer justice," involving the punitive demolition of properties linked to accused persons. Two judges, Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Siddharth Nandan, expressed differing views on whether a stay on demolitions can be issued, leading the matter to be referred to the Chief Justice for a third judge's opinion.
The Uttar Pradesh government ordered a probe by a special investigation team after an IAS officer was seen in some video clips at a gathering at his home where religious conversion was being allegedly discussed.
An additional chief judicial magistrate sent the accused to nine days of police remand on Monday.
Police are searching for a TCS employee, Nida Khan, in connection with alleged forcible conversion at the company's Nashik unit. This follows the arrest of eight individuals in related sexual harassment cases. Khan's anticipatory bail plea was adjourned, and police are actively seeking her arrest.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has appealed to the United Nations to intervene on behalf of religious minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh, citing human rights violations.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced that his government will introduce a new stringent law to prevent religious conversion of tribal people, and possibly others. He also advocated for the delisting of tribals, removing them from the Scheduled Tribe category if they convert to another religion, saying it will prevent proselytisation.
Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui was arrested by the ATS, which is probing the racket, at around 9 pm on Tuesday from Meerut, Additional Director General (ADG), Law and Order, Prashant Kumar said.
A female employee of TCS in Nashik, accused of religious conversion and sexual harassment of women colleagues, has applied for anticipatory bail, citing her pregnancy. Police are investigating the allegations, and TCS has launched an internal probe.
The government will introduce a bill in this regard in the upcoming legislature session, which starts on July 3.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed key cases with the Home department and directed the police to ensure thorough investigation and strong prosecution.
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.
The Gujarat high court on Thursday turned down the state government's plea seeking rectification of its recent order in which it stayed the operation of section 5 of the new anti-conversion law.
Nida Khan, a TCS employee accused of religious conversion and sexual harassment, has been arrested in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. An AIMIM corporator is alleged to have provided her shelter. The arrest has sparked political reactions and renewed focus on workplace harassment prevention.
Gujarat police have registered the first FIR in the state under the newly-notified law against forcible or fraudulent religious conversion through marriage, and arrested a 26-year-old man in Vadodara city, a senior official said on Friday.
The HC said this while dismissing a petition by Taufik Ahmad who had sought quashing of proceedings against him on charges of rape and unlawful religious conversion of a Hindu girl to Islam through misrepresentation under the UP anti-conversion law.
"Since some people have challenged the provisions of the new law, the High Court has recently put a stay on the law. However, after consulting legal experts and our Advocate General, chief minister Vijay Rupani has decided to challenge this stay in the Supreme Court," deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said.
Uttar Pradesh Police has busted an inter-state religious conversion racket and arrested four individuals, including a madrasa cleric, officials said in Bareilly on Wednesday.
'For the rest of his tenure, people will start with the assumption that even Modi can be forced to bow down'
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has directed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to establish separate internal committees in all its 127 units with 10 or more employees within four weeks to strengthen compliance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act, following concerns raised in the TCS Nashik case.
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.
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.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the state government's intention to introduce strong provisions to deal with religious conversions done using force or cheating. A panel has submitted recommendations, and the government will study and implement necessary changes. The move comes amid claims of misuse of religious freedom and concerns about conversions through coercion and deceit.
The trailer of The Kerala Story 2 has triggered widespread conversation with its intense and controversial messaging of religious conversion. Read reactions and key takeaways from the debate.
Justice Vinod Diwaker made the observation while rejecting a plea to cancel an FIR against four people accused under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.
'Earlier, people used to hand money directly to priests after a ritual, and priests would keep it in their own pockets. We completely stopped that practice.'
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a new border security initiative, including land transfer to the BSF and a 'detect, delete and deport' policy targeting infiltrators.
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that claiming a particular religion is the 'only true religion' is inappropriate in a secular country like India and could violate laws against disparaging other faiths. The court dismissed a petition filed by a Reverend Father, stating that such claims could fall under Section 295A of the IPC, which addresses acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
A local court in Nashik has denied interim protection from arrest to a TCS employee, Danish Shaikh, in a case related to alleged sexual harassment and forcible conversion at the company's local unit. The court cited serious criminal antecedents against the accused and the wide social repercussions of the alleged offence.
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.
US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday generated significant online traction after making a light-hearted reference to two "very, very important" Indian and Pakistani people in his life - his wife Usha Vance and Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir, on the sidelines of the US-Iran diplomatic deliberations in Switzerland.
The family of a TCS employee arrested in connection with sexual harassment and conversion allegations at a Nashik unit claims he is a victim of internal professional rivalry and office politics. They allege a coordinated conspiracy driven by his academic and professional success.
Seattle's LGBTQ community members say they hope that this Friday's World Cup "Pride Match" between Egypt and Iran, two countries where homosexuality is criminalised, can be an opportunity to change minds.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging his involvement in the attack on nuns in Chhattisgarh, calling the remarks ignorant and excessive.
A court in Nashik, Maharashtra, has denied interim protection from arrest to a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee, Danish Shaikh, in a case related to alleged sexual harassment and forcible conversion at the company's local unit. Shaikh is already in judicial custody in connection with one of nine FIRs registered in the case.
AIMIM leader Matin Patel faces potential cancellation of his corporatorship for allegedly harbouring Nida Khan, accused in a sexual harassment and forced conversion case. Authorities are investigating alleged illegal construction at his residence, which could lead to his disqualification under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act.
The Congress party has directed its MPs to attend Parliament and protest against the FCRA Amendment Bill, describing it as unconstitutional and a threat to minority organisations. The government asserts the bill aims to enhance transparency and prevent misuse of foreign funds.
