News for 'religious freedom'

'US-India should focus on trade to counter China'

'US-India should focus on trade to counter China'

Rediff.com14 Dec 2020

'I hope that the incoming Biden-Harris Administration works with India to address some of the most profound geopolitical transboundary challenges.'

What do Indians Vote For?

What do Indians Vote For?

Rediff.com3 May 2021

'Many Indians are not voting mostly on the basis of issues like the economy and their own well-being as measured by data provided by the government.' 'They seem to be as concerned and perhaps more concerned about other things, especially those that have to do with the harassment of India's minorities,' asserts Aakar Patel.

SC to hear Priya Varrier's plea seeking quashing of FIRs over song on Feb 21

SC to hear Priya Varrier's plea seeking quashing of FIRs over song on Feb 21

Rediff.com20 Feb 2018

Priya has sought the top court's direction to prohibit states from initiating any criminal proceedings against her.

Gharvapasi: Home is Where the Heart is!

Gharvapasi: Home is Where the Heart is!

Rediff.com29 Dec 2014

'We must begin dialogue with openness and goodwill, but we will not proceed very far without trust and good faith. The alternative is the violence of 'might is right,' which settles very little and destroys so much of real value,' says Dr Rudolf C Heredia, author of Religious Disarmament -- Rethinking Conversion in India.

SC airs concern over fake news, communal colour to news

SC airs concern over fake news, communal colour to news

Rediff.com2 Sep 2021

The Supreme Court on Thursday voiced serious concern over the running of fake news on social media platforms and web portals, and said even news shown in a section of channels bears communal tone, which may bring a bad name to the country.

Villagers file case against 'preacher' IAS officer

Villagers file case against 'preacher' IAS officer

Rediff.com8 Oct 2014

'The Constitution allows me the Right to Freedom of Speech and Religious Freedom. But this is not religion... this is spiritual discourse,' says IAS officer C Umashankar, who is being prosecuted in the Madras high court for hurting the feelings of Hindus.

Relief for 'wink' girl Priya Varrier as SC stays cases against her

Relief for 'wink' girl Priya Varrier as SC stays cases against her

Rediff.com21 Feb 2018

Similar relief also extended to the director of the Malayalam movie Oru Adaar Love.

'None can force me to say Jai Shri Ram'

'None can force me to say Jai Shri Ram'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2021

'It is not that I don't want to say "Jai Shri Ram".' I only said I will not say this slogan under any pressure.'

Ayodhya mosque may be named after 1857 mutiny warrior

Ayodhya mosque may be named after 1857 mutiny warrior

Rediff.com25 Jan 2021

During the freedom struggle, Shah had launched revolts in the Awadh region. He made the local mosque, Masjid Sarai, located in Chowk area of Faizabad his headquarters. As he liberated Faizabad and larger part of Awadh region, he used the premises of this mosque to hold meetings with rebel leaders.

'Banning athletes who kneel is breach of human rights'

'Banning athletes who kneel is breach of human rights'

Rediff.com14 Jun 2020

The stance of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in potentially banning athletes who kneel in support of anti-racism protests is a breach of human rights, the Global Athlete movement said on Sunday. Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states that "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas".

Decoding Modi's Jallianwala Bagh memorial speech

Decoding Modi's Jallianwala Bagh memorial speech

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

From playing to the Sikh vote bank because Punjab elections are round the corner, to ensuring that a discordant 'us versus them' note was struck, whatever could be done to exploit every last drop of communal appeal, was done, observes Jyoti Punwani.

Rahul slams govt over CAB, says attack on Constitution

Rahul slams govt over CAB, says attack on Constitution

Rediff.com10 Dec 2019

The Congress slammed the government on Tuesday after the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, with former party chief Rahul Gandhi saying the proposed legislation is an attack on the Constitution and anyone who supports it is attempting to destroy the foundation of the country.

The man responsible for putting Payal Rohatgi in jail

The man responsible for putting Payal Rohatgi in jail

Rediff.com17 Dec 2019

The former Big Boss contestant posted objectionable content on her social media pages on September 6 and 21 against Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and other members of the Nehru-Gandhi family, following which Rajasthan Youth Congress General Secretary Charmesh Sharma filed a complaint.

The fragility of faith

The fragility of faith

Rediff.com2 Dec 2018

'Faith, and the notion that it has been 'outraged', is used to justify the most outrageous, illiberal and regressive acts,' notes Shuma Raha.

After Mahinda's exit, Gotabaya talks to dissidents to end impasse

After Mahinda's exit, Gotabaya talks to dissidents to end impasse

Rediff.com11 May 2022

After nearly two days of political deadlock, the stakeholders are engaged in prolonged talks to try and appoint a successor to Mahinda Rajapaksa.

'Terrorism is like agriculture in Kashmir'

'Terrorism is like agriculture in Kashmir'

Rediff.com8 Nov 2021

'The government is plucking leaves and not destroying the plant.'

JNU student Sharjeel Imam's bail plea rejected in 2019 Jamia rioting case

JNU student Sharjeel Imam's bail plea rejected in 2019 Jamia rioting case

Rediff.com22 Oct 2021

A Delhi court on Friday denied bail to Jawaharlal Nehru University student Sharjeel Imam in connection with allegedly giving an inflammatory speech and inciting violence in 2019, saying that the speech was on communal lines and its content 'tend to have a debilitating effect on the peace and harmony.'

CAA does not violate fundamental rights: Centre to SC

CAA does not violate fundamental rights: Centre to SC

Rediff.com17 Mar 2020

The affidavit, filed by B C Joshi, Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs, said the CAA does not confer any arbitrary and unguided powers on the executive as the citizenship to the persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh would be granted in a manner as specified under the law governing grant of citizenship.

Allegations of attack on nuns in UP 'wrong', says Goyal

Allegations of attack on nuns in UP 'wrong', says Goyal

Rediff.com29 Mar 2021

Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday dismissed as wrong the allegations that two nuns belonging to a Kerala-based congregation were "attacked" during a train journey via Uttar Pradesh recently and alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was "making false statements" on the issue.

Is India becoming a flawed democracy?

Is India becoming a flawed democracy?

Rediff.com9 Feb 2021

For those who think India's democracy is just fine and there has been no change in the last few years, perhaps it would be instructive to see what has happened on a few issues, observes Aakar Patel.

Modi attacks KCR with 'Parivaarvadi' jibe; TRS chief slams 'bhaashanbazi'

Modi attacks KCR with 'Parivaarvadi' jibe; TRS chief slams 'bhaashanbazi'

Rediff.com27 May 2022

KCR said despite 'bhaashanbaazi', industries are closing down, the nation's GDP is crashing and the rupee is falling drastically compared to the US dollar.

Sabka Vishwas: Will Modi walk the talk?

Sabka Vishwas: Will Modi walk the talk?

Rediff.com14 Jun 2019

If the challenge of the government is to regain the confidence of the minorities, it has to first overpower its own unruly gangs and their heroic masters, says Sunil Varghese.

Actress Priya Varrier moves SC for quashing of FIR against her

Actress Priya Varrier moves SC for quashing of FIR against her

Rediff.com19 Feb 2018

The 18-year-old actress of the upcoming movie also sought top court's direction to prohibit states from initiating any criminal proceedings against her.

'India's distinctiveness will survive the present attempts to stifle it'

'India's distinctiveness will survive the present attempts to stifle it'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2021

'India's defining characteristic has been its ability to manage and sustain democratic governance through an accommodation of ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity.'

'Goa's defectors are pawns on the chess board'

'Goa's defectors are pawns on the chess board'

Rediff.com8 Feb 2022

'Goa is a tiny state, but in terms of its Business of Politics, several powerful lobbies of India are involved in it, be it the mining lobby, hoteliers' lobby, casino lobby, hawala lobby, drugs lobby etc.'

Pathaan Is About Shah Rukh's Life

Pathaan Is About Shah Rukh's Life

Rediff.com2 Feb 2023

More than anything else, Pathaan is a silent and subtle statement of Shah Rukh Khan about his place, his commitment to cinema and, if one can say, his politics, observes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

104 ex-IAS officers write to UP CM against anti-conversion law

104 ex-IAS officers write to UP CM against anti-conversion law

Rediff.com30 Dec 2020

They alleged that the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance was being used to "victimise especially those Indian men who are Muslim and women who dare to exercise their freedom of choice".

IS has arrived at India's doorstep

IS has arrived at India's doorstep

Rediff.com2 Jul 2016

'If Islamic State were to get entrenched in Bangladesh and Myanmar it will have disastrous implications for India as both countries border India's northeast, a restive and volatile region,' says Rajeev Sharma.

Hate speech accused defends Hindu rashtra demand

Hate speech accused defends Hindu rashtra demand

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

In a democratic set up, a demand for "Hindu rashtra" does not amount to promoting enmity between religious groups, an accused in a case of allegedly communal sloganeering at an event at Jantar Mantar here argued before the Delhi High Court on Wednesday.

Economic issues key to Modi's US visit

Economic issues key to Modi's US visit

Rediff.com25 Sep 2014

'Political meetings will be a mere side show; the main show is economic investment and the business partnership. The success of Modi's US visit will be judged on the basis of India's ability to attract American investment and setting up of manufacturing in India to give jobs to millions,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

US cannot keep avoiding Modi: Experts

US cannot keep avoiding Modi: Experts

Rediff.com11 Dec 2013

Two former senior United States diplomats, with more than 60 years experience in South Asia between them, have exhorted Washington to establish communication with Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi sooner than later.

Taliban, Haqqani, Osama Bin Laden and Zawahiri were our heroes: Musharraf

Taliban, Haqqani, Osama Bin Laden and Zawahiri were our heroes: Musharraf

Rediff.com28 Oct 2015

Former president Pervez Musharraf has admitted that Pakistan supported and trained groups like Lashkar-e-Tayiba in 1990s to carry out militancy in Kashmir.

On day of Musk's Twitter takeover, govt amends social media grievance rules

On day of Musk's Twitter takeover, govt amends social media grievance rules

Rediff.com28 Oct 2022

The government on Friday tweaked IT rules to pave the way for setting up of grievance appellate panels, which will settle issues that users may have against the way social media platforms initially addressed their complaints regarding content and other matters.

'We are going back to the Supreme Court'

'We are going back to the Supreme Court'

Rediff.com28 Sep 2018

'We will talk to Muslim, Christian organisations and form a broad alliance so that every temple, church and mosque will have freedom to manage their affairs and not to be intervened upon.'

BJP Barking Up The Wrong Tree In Tamil Nadu

BJP Barking Up The Wrong Tree In Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com14 Nov 2022

The BJP continuing to look at the Dravidian polity through the religious prism has not worked in Tamil Nadu whereas it has yielded political and electoral results across much of the rest of the country, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

US House imposes tougher conditions for defence funding to Pak

US House imposes tougher conditions for defence funding to Pak

Rediff.com15 Jul 2017

The conditions are related to Pakistan's support to terrorists and terror outfits.

Godse hailed at Dharma Sansad, seer leaves stage in protest

Godse hailed at Dharma Sansad, seer leaves stage in protest

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

Kalicharan Maharaj also used an abusive word against Mahatma Gandhi while delivering a speech at Dharma Sansad organised by an organisation at Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur, drawing flak from the leaders of the ruling Congress.

'In some ways, India is already a Hindu rashtra'

'In some ways, India is already a Hindu rashtra'

Rediff.com13 May 2022

'The way discrimination against Muslims has become almost normalised is very upsetting.'

Only BJP leaders, their 'billionaire friends' safe in India: Priyanka

Only BJP leaders, their 'billionaire friends' safe in India: Priyanka

Rediff.com10 Oct 2021

People may belong to any caste and religion, they are not safe, the Congress leader alleged.

Sabarimala: Deity has the right to be 'eternal celibate', SC told

Sabarimala: Deity has the right to be 'eternal celibate', SC told

Rediff.com26 Jul 2018

This was also part of the right to privacy of the deity, the lawyer said.