News for 'religious freedom'

Netaji forced to seek fascist countries' support for India's freedom: Daughter

Netaji forced to seek fascist countries' support for India's freedom: Daughter

Rediff.com22 Jan 2023

In a statement, Pfaff also noted that the countries Netaji had approached were the only ones willing to support the fight against a common adversary.

Muslim woman's handshake violates Sharia? HC says...

Muslim woman's handshake violates Sharia? HC says...

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

The Kerala high court has observed that no religious belief stands above the Constitution.

UP police take down 6031 loudspeakers from religious shrines, tune 30,000 for volume

UP police take down 6031 loudspeakers from religious shrines, tune 30,000 for volume

Rediff.com27 Apr 2022

Over 6,000 loudspeakers were removed from religious places and the volume of another 30,000 was set to permissible limits across Uttar Pradesh following a government order, a senior police official said on Wednesday.

Sikh man attacked in Haryana, alleges he was called 'Khalistani'

Sikh man attacked in Haryana, alleges he was called 'Khalistani'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2024

The matter is being investigated, they said and added that so far, there is no evidence that the "Khalistani" slur was used.

Christians most persecuted in the world now: Vatican

Christians most persecuted in the world now: Vatican

Rediff.com28 Sep 2011

Warning that Christians currently suffer more persecution because of their faith than any other religious group, the Vatican on Tuesday told the United Nations that the denial of religious freedom threatened peace and security and precluded integral human development.

NRC used as tool to target minorities, says US panel

NRC used as tool to target minorities, says US panel

Rediff.com16 Nov 2019

Observing that the final NRC list, which validates bona fide Indian citizens of Assam, has excluded 19 lakh residents, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom on Friday said that a number of domestic and international organisations have expressed concern that the NRC is a "targeted mechanism to disenfranchise Assam's Bengali Muslim community, implicitly establishing a religious requirement for citizenship and potentially rendering large numbers of Muslims stateless."

'Ek Baar Dekh Lo, Phir Discuss Karte Hain'

'Ek Baar Dekh Lo, Phir Discuss Karte Hain'

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

'Whatever you do will spark controversies, so it is best do what your heart tells you to do. Simple.'

'Love jihad' poses major threat to nation's unity: Court

'Love jihad' poses major threat to nation's unity: Court

Rediff.com2 Oct 2024

The judge made the remarks while sentencing 25-year-old Mohammad Alim to life imprisonment, convicting him for raping and threatening a student after falsifying his identity.

RSS says stop religious conversion, enact law

RSS says stop religious conversion, enact law

Rediff.com30 Oct 2021

"There are people who get converted and do not disclose that they have converted. They take double benefits," RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said at a press conference."

HC upholds Mumbai college hijab ban, says no breach of fundamental rights

HC upholds Mumbai college hijab ban, says no breach of fundamental rights

Rediff.com26 Jun 2024

The Bombay high court on Wednesday refused to interfere in a decision taken by a Mumbai-based college to impose a ban on hijab, burka and naqab in its premises.

SC rejects plea to remove 'Socialist', 'Secular' from Preamble

SC rejects plea to remove 'Socialist', 'Secular' from Preamble

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed petitions challenging the 1976 amendment to the Constitution that added the terms "socialist", "secular", and "integrity" to the Preamble. The court ruled that the inclusion of these terms, made through amendments, is valid and does not affect the original adoption of the Constitution in 1949.

Resolution on Kashmiri Pandits in US House

Resolution on Kashmiri Pandits in US House

Rediff.com5 Aug 2011

The resolution condemns the extremist violence, lack of religious freedom, and human rights violations committed against Kashmiri Pandits, which they have endured for more than two decades.

'Break Pak army-ISI-jihadi links for peace'

'Break Pak army-ISI-jihadi links for peace'

Rediff.com19 Mar 2009

If peace and stability is to come to South Asia, links between Pakistan's military, Inter-Services Intelligence and the violent extremist jihadi groups the ISI created, must be severed, said Steve Coll, president and CEO of The New America Foundation and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Ghost Wars.

'Neither accurate nor warranted': MEA on US panel's CAB remark

'Neither accurate nor warranted': MEA on US panel's CAB remark

Rediff.com10 Dec 2019

Responding to USCIRF's statement on the bill, the MEA said it was guided by 'prejudices and biases'.

US: Resolution on Kashmiri Pandits introduced

US: Resolution on Kashmiri Pandits introduced

Rediff.com4 Aug 2010

An eminent American lawmaker has introduced a resolution in the United States House of Representatives condemning the 'extremist violence, lack of religious freedom, and human rights violations committed against Kashmiri Pandits for more than two decades now.'

Obama passes law to appoint special envoy in Asia

Obama passes law to appoint special envoy in Asia

Rediff.com9 Aug 2014

United States President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill which calls for appointing a special envoy near East and South Central Asia to promote freedom of religious minorities.

'Listing India on 'Watch List' smacks of bias'

'Listing India on 'Watch List' smacks of bias'

Rediff.com29 Apr 2011

"USCIRF's decision to club India in with a dozen or so of the worst violators of religious freedom in the world, while overlooking others, again raises questions of bias and flawed methodology," Prof Ramesh Rao of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) alleged.

Pained, disturbed: Dhankhar slams Rahul for remarks in US

Pained, disturbed: Dhankhar slams Rahul for remarks in US

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

Dhankhar said every Indian outside the country has to be an ambassador of the nation.

For US body, India same as Somalia and Afghanistan

For US body, India same as Somalia and Afghanistan

Rediff.com13 Aug 2009

Obviously incensed after being denied visas to visit India, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom -- a US Congress-mandated body that monitors religious freedoms and rights worldwide and then provides independent policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State and the Congress -- has released it 2009 country report on India, which it had earlier held back and placed India on its "Watch List".

Trump, Biden campaigns eye the Hindu vote in US

Trump, Biden campaigns eye the Hindu vote in US

Rediff.com19 Aug 2020

While the Trump campaign promises that re-electing President Donald Trump will "reduce obstacles to religious freedoms" for Hindus in America, the rival Biden campaign on Tuesday said former vice president Joe Biden has made outreach to the Hindu faith community a priority.

Hindu groups hail Trump's promise to protect rights globally

Hindu groups hail Trump's promise to protect rights globally

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

In his Diwali greetings on Thursday, Trump strongly "condemned the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh", which he said remains in a "total state of chaos."

Karnataka govt is considering law to regulate religious conversion: Home minister

Karnataka govt is considering law to regulate religious conversion: Home minister

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

Indulging in religious conversion with inducement or under pressure is an "unpardonable offence", the state home minister Araga Jnanendra said adding, it may also lead to disturbance of peace in the society.

United Opposition will surprise people in 2024, says Rahul in US

United Opposition will surprise people in 2024, says Rahul in US

Rediff.com2 Jun 2023

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the Opposition is pretty well united and a lot of good work is happening on the ground as he asserted that there is a hidden undercurrent building and it will 'surprise' the people in the next general elections.

Guj HC lifts stay on release of Aamir Khan's son's debut film 'Maharaj'

Guj HC lifts stay on release of Aamir Khan's son's debut film 'Maharaj'

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

The film has nothing objectionable or derogatory, the court said after watching it, and allowed its release on streaming platform Netflix.

Indian-American Congressman to form 'Hindu Caucus' in US Congress

Indian-American Congressman to form 'Hindu Caucus' in US Congress

Rediff.com15 Jun 2023

Congressional caucuses are groups of members of the US Congress that meet to pursue common legislative objectives. Caucuses are formed as Congressional Member Organisations through the US House of Representatives and governed under the chamber's rules.

'Ghar Wapsi' victims join US lawsuit to name RSS a terror outfit

'Ghar Wapsi' victims join US lawsuit to name RSS a terror outfit

Rediff.com27 May 2015

Three Indians have joined a Sikh rights group in filing an amended lawsuit appealing a US court to designate the RSS as a "terror group".

Shouldn't we have the freedom to leave earth with dignity?

Shouldn't we have the freedom to leave earth with dignity?

Rediff.com27 Jul 2023

Death is a reality of life and yet we shy away from talking about it openly, observes Aarti David.

Criminal cases can't be slapped on scribes for reports against govt: SC

Criminal cases can't be slapped on scribes for reports against govt: SC

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti said in democratic nations, the freedom to express one's views is respected and the rights of journalists are protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

Nearly 650 people killed in Bangladesh violence: UN report

Nearly 650 people killed in Bangladesh violence: UN report

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

Nearly 650 people have been killed in the recent unrest in Bangladesh between July 16 and August 11, the United Nations Human Rights Office has said in a preliminary report, suggesting a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into reports of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions.

US report calls out India over its 'several' human rights issues

US report calls out India over its 'several' human rights issues

Rediff.com31 Mar 2021

The State Department in its report listed more than a dozen significant human rights issues for India. Prominent among them are unlawful and arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings perpetrated by police; torture and cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by some police and prison officials; arbitrary arrest and detention by government authorities; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; political and prisoners or detainees in certain states.

China has no theological basis to pick the next Dalai Lama: US

China has no theological basis to pick the next Dalai Lama: US

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

"I travelled to Dharamshala, India to speak to the Tibetan community that were assembled there in exile and to tell them that the US is opposed to China picking the next Dalai Lama," Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Samuel D Brownback told reporters on Tuesday during a conference call, recalling his visit to India in October.

Will Kamala Harris spell trouble for India?

Will Kamala Harris spell trouble for India?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2020

Events in America have strengthened the hand of those leaders there who wish India well, but think of India as being a collection of Indians.
If Indians are mistreated, they will object, asserts Aakar Patel.

Hinduphobia: Intolerance, racial and religious

Hinduphobia: Intolerance, racial and religious

Rediff.com19 Feb 2015

'I do hope the Patel family sues the hell out of the state of Alabama, and I hope the Hindu American Foundation and other community organisations are helping with legal aid and monetary support. For, there is reason to believe that it is religious and racial bias that led to the incident: In other words, a hate crime. There is no reason to suffer that silently.'

Trump India visit: US senators request assessment on Kashmir issue

Trump India visit: US senators request assessment on Kashmir issue

Rediff.com13 Feb 2020

The US lawmakers, describing themselves as "longtime friends of India", wrote in the letter that "more than six months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government unilaterally revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, the government continues to block most internet in the region".

Is Trump A Lot Like Modi?

Is Trump A Lot Like Modi?

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

After being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Trump started his inaugural address with a sentence that echoed Modi's coinage some years ago, notes Modi biographer Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

UN concerned over violence against minorities in India

UN concerned over violence against minorities in India

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

On India, while appreciating the measures adopted by it to address discrimination, the Committee expressed concern about alleged discrimination and violence against minority groups, including religious minorities, such as Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs, "scheduled castes" and "scheduled tribes", and LGBTI people.

Where's our freedom of expression?

Where's our freedom of expression?

Rediff.com9 Jan 2015

Just because one can (so far) criticise the policies of the government, or expose a corruption scandal, or question bureaucrats, does not mean we have freedom of speech, says Sherna Gandhy.

How Will History Remember Chandrachud?

How Will History Remember Chandrachud?

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

He could have blazed a trail that few Indian judges had. It was a missed opportunity of a lifetime, notes Ramesh Menon.

Will do everything to defend and protect religious liberty: Trump

Will do everything to defend and protect religious liberty: Trump

Rediff.com2 Feb 2017

Trump attended his first address to the annual National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday.

The Importance Of Russia And US For India

The Importance Of Russia And US For India

Rediff.com8 Jul 2024

New Delhi has reached out to Moscow while waiting for a new president in Washington. New Delhi knows well that in international relations, there are no permanent friends or foes, only permanent national interests, points out Dr Rup Narayan Das.