News for 'religious conversion'

How Gandhi 'spiritualised' Nehru

How Gandhi 'spiritualised' Nehru

Rediff.com1 Oct 2019

When Nehru came in active contact with Gandhi 100 years ago, he was a Westernised rationalist while Gandhi was deeply soaked in the Indian ethos and spirituality, notes Rasheed Kidwai.

When ISIS found home in India

When ISIS found home in India

Rediff.com16 Jan 2020

The nine meetings offer an interesting window into Shafi Armar's efforts to try and group together what after all were excitable keyboard warriors into an actual terror group, capable of handling weapons, organising recruits, cooking homegrown explosives, selecting safe training areas, safe houses and finally, committing strikes against Indian targets.

Pulwama: Why I can cry no more

Pulwama: Why I can cry no more

Rediff.com23 Feb 2019

Pulwama must become the defining moment in our fight against terror, effecting a sea change in our mindset. The erratic, blow hot blow cold approach, the hallmark of our anti-terror-Pak-Kashmir policy must end. In its place is required a pragmatic, comprehensive, robust hard line course that is relentlessly pursued even in times of relative calm until the final objective is met, namely the eradication of separatism and the total annihilation of terror, says Vivek Gumaste.

Imran Khan, you are wrong on Kashmir

Imran Khan, you are wrong on Kashmir

Rediff.com10 Sep 2019

'The world is silent because your rhetoric is dishonest and rings hollow,' says former RAW officer Tilak Devasher.

Govt to push insurance sector reforms despite opposition

Govt to push insurance sector reforms despite opposition

Rediff.com21 Dec 2014

Govt is keen to push reforms in the insurance sector.

Will Trump free these 52 Indians?

Will Trump free these 52 Indians?

Rediff.com27 Jun 2018

'Through a translator, I was able to speak with several of the detainees from India who are seeking asylum.' 'I was saddened to hear the detainees tell us that they are being confined in their cells for up to 22 to 23 hours a day.' 52 Indian are among the 121 asylum-seekers held in an Oregon prison. Rediff.com Senior Contributor Pottayil Rajendran reports from New York on the case that is making headlines in America, India, indeed around the world.

KARGIL: In their homes, martyrs never die

KARGIL: In their homes, martyrs never die

Rediff.com26 Jul 2019

Captain Saurabh Kalia was captured, tortured and barbarically killed in the Kargil War. For 20 years, his father has waged a war of his own to get justice for his son. Captain Kalia is no more, but he lives on in the home he did not return to.

Who's the tallest of them all?

Who's the tallest of them all?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2018

'All statue-building is an exercise in hubris, but Mr Adityanath's enterprise begs a question: Can a state with rampant child malnutrition and 325 children dying in a Gorakhpur hospital afford Rama's benediction?' asks Sunil Sethi.

US suspends $2bn security assistance to Pakistan

US suspends $2bn security assistance to Pakistan

Rediff.com6 Jan 2018

The US will not be delivering military equipment or transfer security-related funds to Pakistan unless it is required by law.

'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.'

Happi Review

Happi Review

Rediff.com31 Dec 2019

'Surely a person like Happi deserves to be treated with dignity.' 'But does he deserve a two hour movie dedicated to his daftness, and to the failure of the rest of the world to come round to the purity that shines behind that daftness?' asks Sreehari Nair.

BOO! Every Hindu woman must produce 4 kids, says BJP's Sakshi Maharaj

BOO! Every Hindu woman must produce 4 kids, says BJP's Sakshi Maharaj

Rediff.com7 Jan 2015

Sakshi Maharaj, Bharatiya Janata Party member of Parliament from Unnao, has stirred a hornet's nest yet again by saying that Hindu women should produce at least four children in order to protect the Hindu religion.

The Pakistan that India loves!

The Pakistan that India loves!

Rediff.com7 May 2015

The ordinary life lived in Pakistan is rarely a part of Indian imagination. This is this gap that Pakistani television serials have succeeded in bridging, says Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

'In our political system minority view is either ignored or not heard'

'In our political system minority view is either ignored or not heard'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2016

APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina talks about the life and times of the Sikh minority in a politically tumultuous region of Jammu & Kashmir.

A boat ride as dusk falls on Tulsi Ghat

A boat ride as dusk falls on Tulsi Ghat

Rediff.com13 Mar 2018

'It was a 20-minute boat ride journey of about 500 metres, but it must have been a giant leap together for the two staunchly secular leaders, Modi and Macron,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Minority report: Is the number of Hindus reducing?

Minority report: Is the number of Hindus reducing?

Rediff.com20 Jan 2015

Eight states and Union Territories have Muslim share of population in excess of national average of 13 per cent. Mayank Mishra report

Celebrating azaadi: Listening for the concern behind the complaint

Celebrating azaadi: Listening for the concern behind the complaint

Rediff.com10 May 2016

'We live in a time when hideous anger easily flares up, particularly on identity-related issues.' 'Often advocates of harmony and compassion fall victim to the same anger and end up hating the 'haters'!' 'This changes the moment we are able to turn the slanging match into a conversation.' 'More often than not you may find that there is agreement on a fundamental truth -- respect for the life and dignity of all.'

Muslim siblings kicked off UK flight over terror scare

Muslim siblings kicked off UK flight over terror scare

Rediff.com24 Aug 2016

Three Indian-origin Muslim siblings, including two hijab-clad girls, have claimed that they were hauled off a plane at an airport in London and questioned on the tarmac by British policemen after a passenger accused them of being ISIS supporters.

India's controversial 'messengers of God'

India's controversial 'messengers of God'

Rediff.com25 Apr 2018

A look at few gurus who have attracted controversy in recent times.

'We are voting against, not for'

'We are voting against, not for'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2014

'"It is not corruption, but destruction that we fear. We fear for our lives and the BJP has not been able to convince us otherwise," Muslims and Dalits tell me.' Does a high turnout indicate anti-incumbency or does it indicate minority consolidation against a particular leader or party? Neeta Kolhatkar explains the situation in Maharashtra.

'BJP feels intimidated by the fringe elements'

'BJP feels intimidated by the fringe elements'

Rediff.com28 Jan 2016

'I do not call the BJP or RSS as extremist groups, but some small groups all over India have started behaving aggressively after the BJP came to power.' 'These groups think they have the authority to attack anyone and impose their ideas on people.'

Assam clerics issue 'fatwa' against teenage singer

Assam clerics issue 'fatwa' against teenage singer

Rediff.com15 Mar 2017

Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal condemned the fatwa and directed police to provide security to the singer.

Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Karnataka amid BJP protests

Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Karnataka amid BJP protests

Rediff.com10 Nov 2018

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in districts like Kodagu and Chitradurga, coastal regions among others, where local communities are opposed to the celebrations.

Oh! The glorious tradition of Navratri

Oh! The glorious tradition of Navratri

Rediff.com10 Oct 2016

'When they disappear -- and disappear they will -- they'll take with them some of the joyous vibrancy of our social fabric.' 'All we can do is enjoy them while they last,' says Geetanjali Krishna.

He may not bleed, but periods matter to this man

He may not bleed, but periods matter to this man

Rediff.com28 May 2019

Women should stop being ashamed of their periods. They should start celebrating it, feels Nishant Bangera.

BJP vs civil society: Who won the battle?

BJP vs civil society: Who won the battle?

Rediff.com26 May 2016

When it came to dealing with the media and academia, it has been a roller coaster ride for the National Democratic Alliance, observes Nitin Sethi.

'He was a Google'

'He was a Google'

Rediff.com19 Sep 2019

Remembering journalist extraordinaire Kanti Bhatt.

A shared love for Shah Rukh Khan and Chardonnay

A shared love for Shah Rukh Khan and Chardonnay

Rediff.com1 Dec 2015

'The more conversations I have, the more I realise how boringly similar we are -- they love their family, crib about work, and considering the cholbe na attitude and frequent strikes, I could easily be speaking to someone in Kolkata or Kochi.'

Is BJP serious about Bharat Ratna for Savarkar?

Is BJP serious about Bharat Ratna for Savarkar?

Rediff.com21 Oct 2019

'If they were really serious (about conferring the Bharat Ratna on Savarkar) what were they doing for the last five years?' 'Why do they have to take so long?' 'Gandhi himself never got the Bharat Ratna so it does not really matter.'

Will Modi-led BJP convert the market's wish into a reality?

Will Modi-led BJP convert the market's wish into a reality?

Rediff.com27 Nov 2013

The BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will need to break several records to emerge victorious in the next Lok Sabha elections. Mayank Mishra reports.

Those seated in Delhi, Nagpur can't decide what we eat, says Kerala CM

Those seated in Delhi, Nagpur can't decide what we eat, says Kerala CM

Rediff.com30 May 2017

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan urges his counterparts to stand up against Centre's 'anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular move'.

'India's implicit support to Russia is disappointing to the US'

'India's implicit support to Russia is disappointing to the US'

Rediff.com25 Jul 2014

Several American lawmakers have slammed India for failing to condemn Russia's aggression in Ukraine, Russian rebels' downing of flight MH17 and the annexation of Crimea. The leaders also raised the issue of repeated abuse and violence against minorities and women in India. Aziz Haniffa reports.

The MP who gave the best speech on the JNU row

The MP who gave the best speech on the JNU row

Rediff.com5 Mar 2016

'It is extremely important to take back the domain of both religion from the religious bigots and nationalism from the chauvinists, who are spreading hatred.' Sugata Bose, the Harvard historian-turned-MP, who is Netaji's great-nephew, tells Anjali Puri why it is imperative to speak up for India's students.

PadMan Review: Akshay crusades for a new cause

PadMan Review: Akshay crusades for a new cause

Rediff.com9 Feb 2018

'PadMan has its premise in place. Now if only it had some wings,' says Sukanya Verma.

'Hindutva has nothing to do with Hinduism'

'Hindutva has nothing to do with Hinduism'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2018

'No civilised nation can thrive if it is possessed with the spirit of Hindutva.'

'You can't sustain a campaign of hate'

'You can't sustain a campaign of hate'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2018

'You can't go on creating division and rhetoric of hate.' 'It comes to roost. We are seeing the first glimpses of that in the state elections.'

Will Pakistan survive?

Will Pakistan survive?

Rediff.com19 Dec 2014

'Pakistan is paying the price for ignoring secularism. In seeking to be ever more Muslim to define its nationhood, it has become a terrorist haven.'

Pakistan spy ring: Now, school teacher with ISI links arrested

Pakistan spy ring: Now, school teacher with ISI links arrested

Rediff.com5 Dec 2015

The accused, identified as Sabar, is a teacher at a government school at Rajouri. He was arrested on Saturday morning and booked under provisions of the Official Secrets Act, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav.

Why Jaishankar refused to meet Pramila Jayapal

Why Jaishankar refused to meet Pramila Jayapal

Rediff.com20 Dec 2019

Jaishankar said that the resolution on Kashmir introduced by Jayapal in the House is not a fair characterisation of the situation in J-K. And also said that he has no interest in meeting the Congresswoman.

'This time, it is about making Modi win'

'This time, it is about making Modi win'

Rediff.com30 Apr 2019

'He has attacked our enemies in their own backyard.'