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.
A nine-judge Supreme Court bench has reserved its order on petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala temple, and the scope of religious freedom.
The Supreme Court of India has stated that religious institutions must have structure and norms for their functioning, emphasising that the right to manage a religious institution does not imply an absence of order.
The Supreme Court of India has dismissed the use of information from 'WhatsApp University' as evidence in a case concerning religious freedom and discrimination against women at religious sites, including the Sabarimala Temple.
A nine-judge Supreme Court bench has commenced hearing on petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala temple, and the scope of religious freedom across faiths.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), managing the Sabarimala temple, argued in the Supreme Court that religious beliefs should be judged subjectively by the community, as the court hears petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places.
Two FIRs have been registered against Congress leader Girish Chodankar and tribal leader Govind Shirodkar in Goa for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, following protests by the Hindu Ekta Samiti.
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 has rejected allegations of declining media freedom and erosion of religious and minority rights, asserting that the country is a vibrant democracy that guarantees free speech to all.
The Supreme Court observed that Hinduism is a way of life, stating that mandatory temple visits or rituals are not necessary to be considered a Hindu; even lighting a lamp at home suffices.
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the restriction on women of menstruating age entering Kerala's Sabarimala temple is a matter of religious faith and denominational autonomy, falling outside the purview of judicial review. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that courts should not apply 'secular standards of reason' to religious practices.
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.
The Supreme Court has stated that roads cannot be blocked for religious activities and that while religious denominations have autonomy in worship, the government can interfere if secular activities are affected.
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.
Coming on the heels of two successful bilateral meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden -- the Official State Visit of the Indian leader here in June and a bilateral meeting in New Delhi in September -- USCIRF in its announcement of the meeting said the Congressional hearing is on how the US government can work with the Indian government to address violations.
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.
The Supreme Court of India has voiced concerns about the potential consequences of individuals questioning religious practices in constitutional courts, warning it could lead to the fragmentation of religions and civilisation. A nine-judge Constitution bench is hearing petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places and the scope of religious freedom.
The Supreme Court of India has observed that the practice of excommunicating Parsi women for entering into interfaith marriages is prima facie discriminatory, emphasising that the right of conscience is a birthright.
The Supreme Court of India is hearing petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, and the scope of religious freedom practised by multiple faiths.
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.
The Chinese government is restricting individuals, in particular those of the minority community, from their religious practices, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday.
"Our principled position remains that we see no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce on the state of our citizens' constitutionally protected rights," Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava said.
The Shabari story in the Ramayana found mention before a nine-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Wednesday while hearing petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.
The Centre has supported the restriction on women of menstruating age entering Kerala's Sabarimala temple, arguing that the Supreme Court's 2018 judgement assumes male superiority.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the observation on India in the report is based on 'motivated inputs and biased views'.
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.
The Chhattisgarh government has introduced a bill in the state assembly to prevent religious conversions carried out through force, inducement, fraud, or misrepresentation. The bill, titled the Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026 (Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026), aims to curb conversions achieved through coercion or undue influence.
Religious freedom in India was on a "negative trajectory" in 2015 as religious tolerance "deteriorated" and religious freedom violations "increased", a United States report on international religious freedom said
Taking note of the recent violence against the Christian community in India, the US has asked the Indian government to protect the religious freedom throughout the country. "We urge all parties to refrain from violence and urge government officials to protect religious freedom throughout India and thus preserve India's longstanding tradition of religious tolerance," said Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, John Hanford.
The Supreme Court of India questioned the Centre regarding the eligibility of non-devotees to challenge the customs of the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, during a hearing on religious freedom and discrimination against women at religious sites.
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala temple. A nine-judge bench is examining the scope of religious freedom and the exclusion of women based on age and menstrual status.
The report, released on June 21, alleged that some senior leaders of the BJP "made inflammatory speeches against minority communities".
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.
The Supreme Court of India has emphasised the importance of open access to all temples and 'maths' for everyone, warning that excluding any denomination would negatively impact Hinduism and divide society. This statement was made during hearings on petitions related to discrimination against women at religious sites and the scope of religious freedom.
The Supreme Court of India has asserted its jurisdiction to determine what constitutes a superstitious practice within a religion, during a hearing on petitions related to discrimination against women at religious sites.
Accusing China of repressing dissent, the US commission on global religious freedom has appealed to President Barack Obama to take up the issues of human rights and religious freedom during his meeting with his visiting Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao at the White House.
Putting India on the 'watch list' for the second year in succession, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its report said the Indian government at various levels recognised the problem of communal violence and created some structures to address these issues.
The Chhattisgarh government has introduced a bill aimed at preventing religious conversions through force, inducement, or misrepresentation, sparking opposition and debate in the state assembly.
Thousands of Naga students and citizens rallied in Kohima, Nagaland, opposing the central government's directive to mandate the singing of Vande Mataram in official functions and educational institutions, citing concerns over secularism and religious freedom.
The Centre has asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its judgements decriminalising adultery and same-sex relationships, arguing they were based on a subjective application of 'constitutional morality'.
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