News for 'religious freedom'

HAF reacts to report on hatred against Hindus in Pak madrasas

HAF reacts to report on hatred against Hindus in Pak madrasas

Rediff.com12 Nov 2011

The study is a validation for scores of Pakistani Hindus who face discrimination and violence because of the hatred towards Hindus that continues to be stoked in children through the education system, says the Hindu American Foundation. Aziz Haniffa reports.

India experienced major human rights issues in 2022: US report

India experienced major human rights issues in 2022: US report

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

Released by secretary of state Antony Blinken, the annual human rights reports of the state department is a mandatory requirement of the US Congress giving details of human rights status in countries across the world.

CAA, related rules brought for ...., says fresh plea filed in SC

CAA, related rules brought for ...., says fresh plea filed in SC

Rediff.com4 Apr 2024

The fresh plea, filed through lawyer Ashwani Dubey, seeks dismissal of the pending PILs of various petitioners including the Indian Union Muslim League on various grounds.

171 Hindus arrive from Pak seeking refugee status

171 Hindus arrive from Pak seeking refugee status

Rediff.com9 Sep 2012

A batch of 171 Hindus on Sunday arrived in Jodhpur from Pakistan after a three-month long arduous journey with leader of the group saying they were seeking a refugee status in India for the sake of 'self respect', religious freedom and children's future.

Dharma vs religion PIL: Delhi HC issues notice to Centre, Delhi govt

Dharma vs religion PIL: Delhi HC issues notice to Centre, Delhi govt

Rediff.com8 Nov 2023

The Delhi high court on Wednesday sought the stand of the Centre and city government on a public interest litigation seeking a direction to the authorities to use the "proper meaning" of the term "religion' and not use it as a synonym of "dharma" in official documents.

'Achche din' are here, insists PM Modi

'Achche din' are here, insists PM Modi

Rediff.com1 Jun 2015

As the Bharatiya Janata Party celebrates the completion of its first year in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told news agency UNI that the government had managed to usher in achche din (good days) in the country.

US panel members back India over violence

US panel members back India over violence

Rediff.com11 Feb 2004

They opposed designating India as a 'Country of Particular Concern'.

Sonia defends freedom of expression, flays Modi

Sonia defends freedom of expression, flays Modi

Rediff.com16 May 2007

Referring to next month's elections in Goa, she said there too Congress was confronting the BJP whose single point programme was communal polarisation.

House passes anti-Pak measure, ignores White House objection

House passes anti-Pak measure, ignores White House objection

Rediff.com20 May 2016

As a result, as per the House version of the Bill, the Obama administration must certify that Pakistan has met before releasing $450 million in aid.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Bangladesh is secular again: HC

Bangladesh is secular again: HC

Rediff.com5 Oct 2010

Ruling that Bangladesh is now a secular state, the country's high court has said that the constitution of 1972 has automatically been restored by a landmark judgment of the apex court that nullified a controversial amendment earlier this year. "In this secular state, everybody has religious freedom, and therefore no man, woman or child can be forced to wear religious attires like burqa, cap and dhoti," a high court bench said on Monday.

Sikh wins turban case against France in UN

Sikh wins turban case against France in UN

Rediff.com13 Jan 2012

The United Nations' rights body has concluded that France had violated the religious freedom of a 76-year-old Sikh man when he was asked to remove his turban for his ID photograph, a US-based Sikh group has said.

In final speech to India, Obama emphasises religious tolerance

In final speech to India, Obama emphasises religious tolerance

Rediff.com27 Jan 2015

"India will succeed if it's not splintered on religious lines."

Orissa: Christian leaders disagree with US report

Orissa: Christian leaders disagree with US report

Rediff.com14 Aug 2009

Taking exception to a report by a United States' panel, on global religious freedom, placing India on the Watch List for Kandhamal violence, Christian leaders in Orissa on Friday said the majority community has been 'extremely cordial' to them.The remarks came in the wake of a statement made by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom that India was placed on the Watch List due to 'disturbing increase' in communal violence there

Khawaja reprimanded by ICC for wearing black armband

Khawaja reprimanded by ICC for wearing black armband

Rediff.com21 Dec 2023

Usman Australia's Usman Khawaja was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday for sporting a black armband after the global body's rules prevented him from wearing shoes with messages of support for Gaza in a Test against Pakistan.

SC gives Centre 3 weeks for stand on quota benefits for Dalit converts

SC gives Centre 3 weeks for stand on quota benefits for Dalit converts

Rediff.com30 Aug 2022

One of the public interest litigations filed in the apex court has sought reservation for converted Dalits on the same footing as is extended to the Scheduled Castes following Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.

Jayapal introduces Kashmir resolution in US Congress

Jayapal introduces Kashmir resolution in US Congress

Rediff.com8 Dec 2019

It's a simple resolution, which cannot be voted in the other chamber, Senate, and does not have the force of law.

Manmohan's advice for Modi: 'No free market without freedom'

Manmohan's advice for Modi: 'No free market without freedom'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2015

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday stepped into the raging debate on intolerance by condemning the murders of dissenters and some on the basis of what they eat and said the nation is deeply concerned at the "blatant violation" of the right to freedom of thought, belief and speech by some violent extremist groups.

How Should Rahul Gandhi Have Spoken Abroad?

How Should Rahul Gandhi Have Spoken Abroad?

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

'I would think that India faces less damage from opinions voiced overseas compared to the damage it suffers if the right to free speech of its citizens is curtailed in the name of image management,' asserts Shyam G Menon.

'Sheikh Hasina is better than the others. But is that good enough?'

'Sheikh Hasina is better than the others. But is that good enough?'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

'Are we supposed to look the other way as Islamists go on a rampage against Hindus and the Hasina government pay lip service to secularism?' A revealing excerpt from Avishek Biswas and Deep Halder's book, Being Hindu In Bangladesh: The Untold Story.

Avoid naming animals as Sita, Akbar: Calcutta HC over safari park row

Avoid naming animals as Sita, Akbar: Calcutta HC over safari park row

Rediff.com22 Feb 2024

It then went on to ask whether a lion could be named after Swami Vivekananda or Ramakrishna Paramahansa.

Tipu was a monarch, not freedom fighter: Karnataka HC

Tipu was a monarch, not freedom fighter: Karnataka HC

Rediff.com2 Nov 2016

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday questioned the state government's logic behind celebrating the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, observing he wasn't a freedom fighter but a monarch who fought to safeguard his interests.

Cong ally IUML rejects CPM invite to UCC seminars

Cong ally IUML rejects CPM invite to UCC seminars

Rediff.com9 Jul 2023

The overtures by CPI-M state secretary MV Govindan had upset the Congress that had, subsequently, accused the Left party of turning the UCC into a Hindu versus Muslim issue for gaining political mileage.

Lawyer offers prize to prove claims made in 'The Kerala Story'

Lawyer offers prize to prove claims made in 'The Kerala Story'

Rediff.com1 May 2023

The film falsely claims Hindu women converted, got radicalised and were deployed in terror missions in India and the world, according to the ruling CPI-M and opposition Congress in Kerala.

HC raps SP's Maurya for his interpretation of Ramcharitmanas couplets

HC raps SP's Maurya for his interpretation of Ramcharitmanas couplets

Rediff.com7 Nov 2023

Maurya had the right to give his own independent explanation different from explanations of many scholars but he cannot use such language which may disturb the religious feelings of a community, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court said.

Mahatma Gandhi knew the importance of soft power: Doval

Mahatma Gandhi knew the importance of soft power: Doval

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday called Mahatma Gandhi 'a great strategist' and said that the revered Indian leader knew the importance of utilising soft power against the brute forces during the freedom struggle.

India raps European parliament for vote on Manipur violence

India raps European parliament for vote on Manipur violence

Rediff.com13 Jul 2023

Responding to media queries on the development, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that "such interference in India's internal affairs is unacceptable, and reflects a colonial mindset".

'Issuing US visa to Modi will validate his actions

'Issuing US visa to Modi will validate his actions

Rediff.com13 Jul 2008

"Granting a visa to Narendra Modi would be contradictory to international law and would only serve to validate the chief minister's abhorrent policies and actions," Congresswoman Betty McCollum wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Deny visa to Modi again, US state dept told

Deny visa to Modi again, US state dept told

Rediff.com9 Jul 2008

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom -- a Congressionally mandated body -- has urged the US State Department "to reaffirm its past decision to deny a tourist visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who has been invited to attend a conference in New Jersey this August celebrating Gujarati culture."

Dalai Lama successor must be from within China, needs govt nod: Beijing

Dalai Lama successor must be from within China, needs govt nod: Beijing

Rediff.com10 Nov 2023

Though Beijing asserts the Dalai Lama's successor needs its approval, observers say it remains concerned as the present Panchen Lama, the number two spiritual leader who was appointed by it after unseating the boy nominated by the Dalai Lama, has not gained much traction in Tibet.

Canada court dismisses Sikh's helmet law challenge

Canada court dismisses Sikh's helmet law challenge

Rediff.com7 Mar 2008

Badesha was contesting a $110 ticket he received for riding his motorcycle without a helmet on, saying it violated his right to religious freedom. Although the court agreed that the law did violate is constitutional rights, it dismissed the case citing safety risks.

US Sikh student ejected from soccer game for wearing turban

US Sikh student ejected from soccer game for wearing turban

Rediff.com29 Sep 2017

Officials from the Marple-NewtownSchool District said the incident occurred on Tuesday when the high school student was playing against the Conestoga High team.

Courts have 'institutional incapacity' to interpret Quran, hijab petitioners tell SC

Courts have 'institutional incapacity' to interpret Quran, hijab petitioners tell SC

Rediff.com12 Sep 2022

The counsel for the petitioners in the hijab ban row on Monday told the Supreme Court the Karnataka high court did an "objectionable" thing when it tried to "interpret" the Holy Quran and held the headscarf worn by Muslim women was not an essential religious practice.

Diwali: Bush greets Indian-Americans

Diwali: Bush greets Indian-Americans

Rediff.com25 Oct 2008

The president and First Lady Laura Bush sent their greetings through the members of the community who came to the Indian Treaty Room of the White House to mark the occasion as it had been done in past years of the Republican administration.

Allahabad University assistant prof booked over remarks on Hindu deities

Allahabad University assistant prof booked over remarks on Hindu deities

Rediff.com22 Oct 2023

The action came Sunday evening at the joint complaint of Vishva Hindu Parishad, Hindu Jagran Manch, and Bajrang Dal.

'Unwarranted, narrow-minded comments': India slams OIC

'Unwarranted, narrow-minded comments': India slams OIC

Rediff.com6 Jun 2022

India on Monday hit out at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for its criticism of the country in the wake of the alleged derogatory remarks made against Prophet Mohammed by two Bharatiya Janata Party functionaries.

Column: Why Modi Should Not Get 400 Plus Seats

Column: Why Modi Should Not Get 400 Plus Seats

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

'Imagine what the BJP's urges would be if India's electorate awarded it truly brute majorities like the 400 plus seats the prime minister called for in the 2024 general elections?' asks Shyam G Menon.

Big moment as street in New York co-named after Ganesh temple

Big moment as street in New York co-named after Ganesh temple

Rediff.com4 Apr 2022

Established in 1977, The Hindu Temple Society of North America Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam, popularly known as the Ganesh temple, is regarded as the first and oldest Hindu temple in North America.