News for 'religious freedom'

Hijab curbs only in schools, no ban on it, says SC during hearing

Hijab curbs only in schools, no ban on it, says SC during hearing

Rediff.com7 Sep 2022

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the question in the Karnataka hijab ban matter is only about the restriction in schools as nobody is prohibited from wearing it anywhere else they want.

Coalition Against Genocide to continue Modi campaign

Coalition Against Genocide to continue Modi campaign

Rediff.com17 May 2014

'Modi's ascent to the highest executive office in India is a matter of concern for all who value human rights and religious freedom,' declares Coalition Against Genocide, which has campaigned against the US granting a visa to the Indian leader.

India questioned on CAA at UNHCR meeting

India questioned on CAA at UNHCR meeting

Rediff.com11 Nov 2022

He added that the legislation is similar to laws that exist elsewhere in defining specific criteria for citizenship pathways.

US appoints special coordinator for Tibet, needles China

US appoints special coordinator for Tibet, needles China

Rediff.com15 Oct 2020

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday named Robert Destro, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour, as the special coordinator for Tibetan issues. Destro will focus on advancing dialogue between the Communist-run government in Beijing and the Dalai Lama, protecting the distinct religious cultural and linguistic identity of Tibetans, improving respect for their human rights and much, much more, Pompeo said.

Hijab ban: SC asks if right to practice religion can be taken to school

Hijab ban: SC asks if right to practice religion can be taken to school

Rediff.com5 Sep 2022

A person has a right to practise religion but the question is whether it can be taken to a school which has a prescribed uniform, the Supreme Court observed on Monday while hearing the Karnataka hijab ban row.

BJP And The Politics Of Conversion

BJP And The Politics Of Conversion

Rediff.com20 Dec 2021

It is unusual in democratic countries two decades into the 21st century for laws to become regressive instead of progressive. But that is clearly what is happening in India today and more of this is ahead, asserts Aakar Patel.

PIL on anti-conversion laws: Centre in SC questions Teesta NGO's locus standi

PIL on anti-conversion laws: Centre in SC questions Teesta NGO's locus standi

Rediff.com30 Jan 2023

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.

Foreign countries also know 'aayega toh...': PM at BJP meet

Foreign countries also know 'aayega toh...': PM at BJP meet

Rediff.com18 Feb 2024

Modi said he is seeking a third term not to enjoy power but to work for the nation. "If I had thought of my home, it would not have been possible to build homes for crores of people," he said.

Certain forces conspiring against India's sovereignty: V-P Naidu

Certain forces conspiring against India's sovereignty: V-P Naidu

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said in Amaravai on Friday that certain forces were conspiring to damage the sovereignty and integrity of India by provoking internal strife and expressed anguish over some recent incidents in different parts of the country.

282 skeletons of Indian soldiers killed in 1857 revolt found

282 skeletons of Indian soldiers killed in 1857 revolt found

Rediff.com11 May 2022

The soldiers were said to have revolted against the use of pork and beef-greased cartridges.

Karnataka Cong govt repeals BJP era anti-conversion law

Karnataka Cong govt repeals BJP era anti-conversion law

Rediff.com15 Jun 2023

The government will introduce a bill in this regard in the upcoming legislature session, which starts on July 3.

Another plea filed in SC against Karnataka HC's hijab verdict

Another plea filed in SC against Karnataka HC's hijab verdict

Rediff.com17 Mar 2022

A fresh plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday challenging the Karnataka high court verdict which dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear a hijab inside the classroom saying hijab is not a part of the essential religious practice in Islam.

'General Zia was real startled'

'General Zia was real startled'

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

'But he was very quick and did a very stylish adab.' 'Of course, I didn't expect him to hug.'

SC to hear plea against hijab verdict after Holi holidays

SC to hear plea against hijab verdict after Holi holidays

Rediff.com16 Mar 2022

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing after Holi vacation the pleas challenging the Karnataka high court verdict which dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear hijab inside the classroom saying it is not a part of the essential religious practice in Islamic faith.

Shehbaz Sharif rakes up Kashmir after becoming Pak PM for a 2nd time

Shehbaz Sharif rakes up Kashmir after becoming Pak PM for a 2nd time

Rediff.com3 Mar 2024

Shehbaz, 72, who was the consensus candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), received 201 votes, 32 more than what was required to become leader of the House in the 336-member Parliament.

In Pakistan, blasphemy is now terrorism

In Pakistan, blasphemy is now terrorism

Rediff.com18 Jun 2023

Succumbing to the demands of a radical Islamist party, the Pakistan government has agreed to try blasphemy suspects under terrorism charges in addition to the other sections of the country's penal code.

Modi's visit re-energises India-US ties: White House

Modi's visit re-energises India-US ties: White House

Rediff.com3 Oct 2014

Describing the just concluded United States visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as extraordinarily successful, the White House has said that his meeting with President Barack Obama has re-energised the strategic relationship between the two largest democracies of the world.

Huge win for India as G20 adopts New Delhi declaration

Huge win for India as G20 adopts New Delhi declaration

Rediff.com9 Sep 2023

"Have just got the good news that due to the hard work of our teams and your cooperation, a consensus has been reached on New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration," Modi said while addressing the second session of the Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The American who fought for India's freedom

The American who fought for India's freedom

Rediff.com10 Aug 2016

Samuel Stokes made India his home and participated in the freedom struggle. He was the only American to be imprisoned for sedition; the British CID maintained a special file on him.

SC extends protection from arrest to Leena Manimekalai, clubs FIRs

SC extends protection from arrest to Leena Manimekalai, clubs FIRs

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday extended the relief granted to filmmaker Leena Manimekalai of no coercive action in connection with multiple FIRs registered against her in various states over a controversial poster of her upcoming documentary film showing goddess Kali smoking a cigarette.

Plea filed in SC against HC rejecting hijab in classrooms

Plea filed in SC against HC rejecting hijab in classrooms

Rediff.com15 Mar 2022

A plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday challenging the Karnataka high court verdict which dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear the hijab inside the classroom saying it is not a part of the essential religious practice in Islamic faith.

Uttarakhand passes stricter anti-conversion law with 10-year jail term

Uttarakhand passes stricter anti-conversion law with 10-year jail term

Rediff.com30 Nov 2022

The Uttarakhand assembly on Wednesday passed a stricter anti-conversion Bill making unlawful conversion a cognisable and non-bailable offence punishable with imprisonment for a term of at least three to a maximum of 10 years.

Hijab Row Can Hurt Indian Diplomacy

Hijab Row Can Hurt Indian Diplomacy

Rediff.com17 Feb 2022

India and Indians can ignore Pakistan, but that cannot be said of other nations in the neighbourhood, where New Delhi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy constantly reverberates. Four of the eight SAARC member-nations are Muslim -- Afghanistan and Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. The rulers decide the nation's India or anti-India policy in the first two, and street-opinion contributes to the same in the latter two, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Biden campaign launches initiative to woo Hindus in US

Biden campaign launches initiative to woo Hindus in US

Rediff.com2 Sep 2020

The development is being seen as a sign of the growing political prominence of Hindus in America. Hinduism is the fourth largest faith in the US, representing approximately one per cent of the US population in 2016.

'Netanyahu should resign!'

'Netanyahu should resign!'

Rediff.com19 Oct 2023

'He is ultimately responsible for this failure, having ignored warnings from Egypt and the US about the attacks.'

US condemns BJP leaders' offensive remarks on Prophet

US condemns BJP leaders' offensive remarks on Prophet

Rediff.com17 Jun 2022

We encourage India to promote respect for human rights, the Biden Administration said.

Nitish Kumar: Longest-serving Bihar CM despite JD-U's majority challenges

Nitish Kumar: Longest-serving Bihar CM despite JD-U's majority challenges

Rediff.com28 Jan 2024

Concealed beneath the feat, which testifies to his political acumen and survival instincts, is the fact that the 72-year-old leader could never remain at peace with his allies which also made him change partners frequently.

How To Prevent Terror On The High Seas

How To Prevent Terror On The High Seas

Rediff.com17 Apr 2024

The world needs to wake up to this new dimension of war at sea and be prepared to face the 'unknown enemy' who have the advantage of attacking at their choice of location and time, cautions Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Plot to kill Pannun: SC asks Gupta to move Czech court

Plot to kill Pannun: SC asks Gupta to move Czech court

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing for January 4 2024, of the habeas corpus petition filed on behalf of Nikhil Gupta, accused by the United States of conspiring to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a India designated terrorist, against his arrest and ongoing extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic.

'Nothing shocks me about Indian relationships'

'Nothing shocks me about Indian relationships'

Rediff.com11 Mar 2024

'Nobody really talks about the middle of relationships or the mundane parts... (When the end comes) we think, "Wow, this is the worst time of my life. This is horrible. It's never been worse". But actually, I feel the endings are what makes us who we are.'

Savarkar our idol, won't tolerate his insult, Uddhav reminds Rahul

Savarkar our idol, won't tolerate his insult, Uddhav reminds Rahul

Rediff.com26 Mar 2023

He said the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance of three parties -- Sena-UBT, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party -- was formed to protect democracy and it was necessary to work unitedly for it.

Woman with tiranga on cheek 'stopped' from entering Golden Temple

Woman with tiranga on cheek 'stopped' from entering Golden Temple

Rediff.com17 Apr 2023

A man who is partly seen in the video is heard asking a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) employee at the temple complex entrance, 'Is this not India?' The employee replied that 'it's Punjab'.

Guj HC's bail to 4 under new anti-conversion law

Guj HC's bail to 4 under new anti-conversion law

Rediff.com13 Oct 2021

The case involving an inter-faith couple was filed in Vadodara under the amended Gujarat Religious Freedom Act and the interim relief granted by the court to the four, including the main accused, will be pending the disposal of a petition filed by them seeking quashing of the FIR against them.

'Absolute hypocrisy': Activists on PM's pledge to protect free speech at G7

'Absolute hypocrisy': Activists on PM's pledge to protect free speech at G7

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

'On the international platform, the prime minister is talking about freedom of speech and he should be ashamed of it'

Sikh wins right to wear beard and turban in US Army training college

Sikh wins right to wear beard and turban in US Army training college

Rediff.com16 Jun 2015

A 20-year-old Sikh-American student has won a significant legal battle in the United States with a court allowing him to enrol in an army programme without removing his articles of faith like the beard and turban.

Vishnu Deo Sai takes oath as Chhattisgarh CM

Vishnu Deo Sai takes oath as Chhattisgarh CM

Rediff.com13 Dec 2023

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and the tribal face of the party, Vishnu Deo Sai, on Wednesday took oath as the chief minister of Chhattisgarh, 10 days after the saffron party returned to power after a gap of five years by unseating Congress in the assembly elections.

UK think-tank warns of anti-Hindu hate in schools

UK think-tank warns of anti-Hindu hate in schools

Rediff.com19 Apr 2023

'Anti-Hindu Hate in Schools', by the counter-terrorism think-tank Henry Jackson Society, found that 51 per cent of Hindu parents surveyed reported that their child has suffered anti-Hindu hate at school.

Obama hails 'good friend' Dalai Lama despite China warning

Obama hails 'good friend' Dalai Lama despite China warning

Rediff.com5 Feb 2015

Obama walks a tight-rope following a Chinese warning against meeting the Dalai Lama

Can Modi Beat Rajiv Gandhi's 404 MPs Record?

Can Modi Beat Rajiv Gandhi's 404 MPs Record?

Rediff.com6 Feb 2024

Modi wants the BJP to gets an additional 10% of the vote share from what it won in 2019. Plans are afoot to get new faces to replace MPs with poor chances of winning. Sources say more than 100 MPs are like to be axed, notes Modi biographer Ramesh Menon.

Nuh violence: Govt probes 'Cong hand, Pak angle'

Nuh violence: Govt probes 'Cong hand, Pak angle'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2023

He also told reporters outside the state assembly complex here that the state police will seek help from central agencies on a possible Pakistan angle in the incident.