News for 'religious freedom'

HC pulls up Christian priest for anti-Hindu remarks

HC pulls up Christian priest for anti-Hindu remarks

Rediff.com8 Jan 2022

"There was absolutely no need or necessity to mount a visceral attack on the religious beliefs of the Hindus. It was unwarranted and utterly unrelated to the occasion. That is what makes it deliberate and malicious," Justice G R Swaminathan of Madras High Court said.

Several Pak agencies using Israel's intrusive cyber tech since 2012: Report

Several Pak agencies using Israel's intrusive cyber tech since 2012: Report

Rediff.com3 Aug 2023

Unlike Israeli company NSO, whose sale of Pegasus cyber tech grabbed worldwide attention, and other manufacturers of offensive-cyber products, Cellebrite operates in a grey area between security exports and civilian ones.

Modi's Dilemma

Modi's Dilemma

Rediff.com13 Mar 2021

Our precipitous decline is being noticed and recorded abroad with alarm. It is strange that within India we are carrying on as if it is business as usual, observes Aakar Patel.

SC agrees to hear plea against provisions of places of worship law

SC agrees to hear plea against provisions of places of worship law

Rediff.com5 Aug 2022

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on September 9 a plea challenging certain provisions of the 1991 law which prohibit filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947.

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.

2 more Oppn parties join INDIA, take number to 28

2 more Oppn parties join INDIA, take number to 28

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

Ahead of the crucial third round of discussions, the opposition INDIA bloc on Wednesday exuded confidence that it would provide a formidable alternative to bring political change in the country and asserted that it has several prime ministerial faces against BJP's only one.

How INDIA Can Counter Modi's Popularity

How INDIA Can Counter Modi's Popularity

Rediff.com11 Jan 2024

What the INDIA alliance needs is neither a counter to Modi's tall personality and undiminished charisma nor a counter-narrative to his Hindutva agenda, now centred on the Ayodhya temple consecration on January 22, argues N Sathiya Moorthy.

India-US Roller Coaster Reaches New High

India-US Roller Coaster Reaches New High

Rediff.com26 Feb 2020

'Many said his visit was very risky. But mercifully, Air Force One has taken off from Delhi without Mr Trump stepping on anybody's toes,' notes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

EU expresses concern over CAB, Kashmir restrictions

EU expresses concern over CAB, Kashmir restrictions

Rediff.com10 Dec 2019

The EU ambassador to India hoped the principle of equality will be upheld in the CAB. He also said that Pak must take action against terror groups.

SC issues notice to Karnataka govt over hijab ban

SC issues notice to Karnataka govt over hijab ban

Rediff.com29 Aug 2022

The bench pulled up some of the petitioners, who sought adjournment in the matter, and said it would not permit "this kind of forum shopping".

Curb on hijab only in classroom, not even on campus, Karnataka tells SC

Curb on hijab only in classroom, not even on campus, Karnataka tells SC

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

The Karnataka government told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the state has not touched any "religious aspect" in the hijab ban row and that the restriction on wearing the Islamic headscarf is limited to the classroom.

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

Ansari sounds caution over 'imaginary practice of cultural nationalism'

Ansari sounds caution over 'imaginary practice of cultural nationalism'

Rediff.com27 Jan 2022

Former vice president Hamid Ansari and four US lawmakers have expressed concern over the current human rights situation in India. They were speaking at a virtual panel discussion organised by the Indian American Muslim Council on Wednesday.

Yogi Adityanath cancels leave of police, administrative officials till May 4

Yogi Adityanath cancels leave of police, administrative officials till May 4

Rediff.com19 Apr 2022

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday cancelled the leaves of all police and administrative officials in the state till May 4 and asked all those on leave to report within 24 hours.

Editors Guild condemns Zubair's arrest, demands immediate release

Editors Guild condemns Zubair's arrest, demands immediate release

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

The Editors Guild of India on Tuesday termed as 'extremely disturbing' the arrest of AltNews co-founder Muhammad Zubair on charges of hurting religious sentiments, and demanded his immediate release.

Mr PM, When will you solve India's HUNGER CRISIS?

Mr PM, When will you solve India's HUNGER CRISIS?

Rediff.com24 Oct 2021

It is a difficult problem and will require the Union, state governments and civil society, meaning NGOs, to work together, points out Aakar Patel.

Alt News' Zubair moves SC to quash all six FIRS against him in UP

Alt News' Zubair moves SC to quash all six FIRS against him in UP

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair on Thursday moved the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of six FIR lodged against him in several districts of Uttar Pradesh.

What Swami Vivekananda Thought Of Gau Rakshaks

What Swami Vivekananda Thought Of Gau Rakshaks

Rediff.com17 Jul 2023

The gau rakshak stated that the famine-stricken people were suffering because of their past karma and nothing could be done for them. The reply apparently infuriated Vivekananda, who told the gau rakshak bluntly that he had no sympathy to spare for societies which would not lift a finger to help human beings but wasted piles of food on birds and beasts. A fascinating excerpt from Govind Krishnan V's book, Vivekananda The Philosopher of Freedom.

Not job of constitutional court to monitor spitting, littering in public: Delhi HC

Not job of constitutional court to monitor spitting, littering in public: Delhi HC

Rediff.com19 Dec 2022

It is not the duty of a constitutional court to regulate and monitor the movement of every citizen to see whether one indulges in public urination, spitting and littering, the Delhi high court said on Monday while dismissing a plea seeking to prohibit the practice of putting up images of deities on walls to prevent people from urinating in public places.

Visa policy unchanged, Modi can apply and wait for review: US

Visa policy unchanged, Modi can apply and wait for review: US

Rediff.com27 Dec 2013

Asserting that there has been no change in its visa policy on Narendra Modi, the United States on Thursday said the Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate is welcome to apply for a visa and wait for a review which will be grounded in American law.

Not fair to compare hijab with practices in Sikhism, says SC

Not fair to compare hijab with practices in Sikhism, says SC

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

The apex court observed the five Ks in Sikhism -- Kesh, Kara, Kanga, Kaccha and Kirpan -- are well established.

Delhi defeat helps Modi get Sangh licence for reform agenda

Delhi defeat helps Modi get Sangh licence for reform agenda

Rediff.com19 Feb 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to expand his cabinet when Parliament breaks for recess during the Budget Session. Archis Mohan reports

DU to drop Pak poet Mohammed Iqbal who penned 'saare jahan se achha'

DU to drop Pak poet Mohammed Iqbal who penned 'saare jahan se achha'

Rediff.com27 May 2023

The university's academic council in a meeting on Friday had passed a motion for the removal of the chapter titled Modern Indian Political Thought.

Shinde govt withdraws appeal against court order in Arnab Goswami case

Shinde govt withdraws appeal against court order in Arnab Goswami case

Rediff.com21 Nov 2022

The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the Maharashtra government to withdraw an appeal filed by the state during the previous Uddhav Thackeray dispensation against a Bombay high court's 2020 order suspending the probe in two FIRs filed against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami for allegedly making inflammatory comments.

Self-run trusts can't have excess State control: SC

Self-run trusts can't have excess State control: SC

Rediff.com29 Jan 2022

Self-governed social and religious trusts cannot be subjected to 'overarching state control' as it would undermine the principle of autonomy and democratic decision-making and would reduce the fundamental right of freedom of association 'an empty husk,' the Supreme Court said on Friday.

Badal used the carrot and stick to play with Punjab militancy

Badal used the carrot and stick to play with Punjab militancy

Rediff.com26 Apr 2023

Panthic politics came easily to Parkash Singh Badal. But he was quick to abandon it when it became a problem, points out Aditi Phadnis.

After split SC verdict, K'taka says hijab ban to continue

After split SC verdict, K'taka says hijab ban to continue

Rediff.com13 Oct 2022

As you know that the Karnataka Education Act and Rule does not permit any religious items inside the class. So we are very clear that no student can wear hijab inside the class, Nagesh explained.

We are one American family: Obama in US mosque

We are one American family: Obama in US mosque

Rediff.com4 Feb 2016

Amid growing anti-Muslim rhetoric in the US poll campaign, President Barack Obama today made his first visit to a mosque as part of his effort to assure the religious minority of their safety and security and celebrate religious diversity of the country.

'A lot of Israeli soldiers will lose their lives'

'A lot of Israeli soldiers will lose their lives'

Rediff.com26 Oct 2023

'Hamas is going to be prepared. There will be booby traps and tunnels; it's going to be door to door fighting.'

BJP's Hindutva is 'gomutra dhari': Uddhav

BJP's Hindutva is 'gomutra dhari': Uddhav

Rediff.com17 Apr 2023

Thackeray said people should be aware of how religious issues are raked up to distract their attention from core issues.

In birthday address, Dalai Lama hails India's 'secular values'

In birthday address, Dalai Lama hails India's 'secular values'

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

In a virtual address from his residence in Dharamshala, the Tibetan spiritual leader thanked people from across the globe who greeted him on his birthday and said he would continue to serve humanity and combat climate change.

Bishops want Malayalam play on nun banned for defaming Christianity

Bishops want Malayalam play on nun banned for defaming Christianity

Rediff.com2 May 2023

A day after the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) sought a ban on staging of the Malayalam play Kakkukali, its director Job Madathil on Tuesday accused the critics of having an agenda behind their charges and urged them to watch the drama first.

Modi's guarantee India will be 3rd largest economy in BJP's 3rd term, says PM

Modi's guarantee India will be 3rd largest economy in BJP's 3rd term, says PM

Rediff.com27 Jul 2023

He slammed naysayers for opposing developmental projects, saying some people have a habit of trying to stall any good work.

K'taka guv gives nod to anti-conversion ordinance, violators to be jailed

K'taka guv gives nod to anti-conversion ordinance, violators to be jailed

Rediff.com17 May 2022

The bill was passed in the assembly in December last year but was pending before the council where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is one short of a majority.

Criminal justice machinery 'relentlessly employed' against Zubair: SC

Criminal justice machinery 'relentlessly employed' against Zubair: SC

Rediff.com26 Jul 2022

Gag orders have a "chilling effect" on the freedom of speech, the apex court said while refusing to accept the submission of the counsel representing Uttar Pradesh that Zubair be barred from tweeting when he is on bail.

California senate panel passes bill to end caste bias

California senate panel passes bill to end caste bias

Rediff.com26 Apr 2023

Major Indian businesses and temples issued a joint statement opposing the proposed California Caste Bill SB 403.

Muslim woman wins right to wear headscarf at work in Germany

Muslim woman wins right to wear headscarf at work in Germany

Rediff.com4 Jul 2016

The battle started after Sandhu successfully completed her state exams and started a traineeship with the Bavarian judicial system.

AIADMK says no alliance with BJP as of now, but...

AIADMK says no alliance with BJP as of now, but...

Rediff.com18 Sep 2023

The bickering between allies All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Bharatiya Janata Party in Tamil Nadu over late Dravidian stalwart C N Annadurai peaked on Monday with the regional party snapping ties with the saffron organisation, saying it cannot tolerate any affront to the late chief minister and its other leaders.

US poll: '2 million Hindus key voting bloc in swing states'

US poll: '2 million Hindus key voting bloc in swing states'

Rediff.com4 Sep 2020

"Voting is our Dharma, and it's at the heart of our society," said Amit Jani, Biden Campaign National AAPI director.

Muslim personal law board moves SC against Karnataka HC's hijab verdict

Muslim personal law board moves SC against Karnataka HC's hijab verdict

Rediff.com28 Mar 2022

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Karnataka high court verdict which had dismissed petitions seeking permission to wear the hijab inside the classroom saying hijab is not a part of the essential religious practice in the Islamic faith.