News for 'religious freedom'

Race for new Pak PM: Shehbaz files nomination; PTI to withdraw lawmakers

Race for new Pak PM: Shehbaz files nomination; PTI to withdraw lawmakers

Rediff.com10 Apr 2022

The move came hours after Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence vote held early Sunday morning, becoming the first premier in the country's history to be sent home after losing the trust of the House.

Revealed: Why Censors bleeped 6 words in Amartya film

Revealed: Why Censors bleeped 6 words in Amartya film

Rediff.com14 Jul 2017

'We felt a documentary on an Indian Nobel laureate referring so insensitively to our politics and religion could result in a serious breach in the peace and harmony of the country.'

Gandhi an inspiration for us too: US says after Obama slams 'intolerance'

Gandhi an inspiration for us too: US says after Obama slams 'intolerance'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2015

Gandhi is inspiration in dealing with intolerance in the US, says White House

Breaking protocol, US to host Modi on a 'special gesture date'

Breaking protocol, US to host Modi on a 'special gesture date'

Rediff.com6 Jun 2014

In a significant departure from tradition, the United States has decided to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi by working out a "special gesture date" around the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly meeting that is scheduled to take place on September 26 in New York.

Speedy justice still a distant dream: Chief Justice of India

Speedy justice still a distant dream: Chief Justice of India

Rediff.com21 Aug 2016

Chief Justice of India Justice T S Thakur today said that "corresponding upgradation" of judiciary was a must to face the challenges of emerging social and economic scenario and observed that "unpolluted and speedy justice still remains a distant dream".

Wani was part of Pakistan's proxy war: Exiled Kashmiri leader

Wani was part of Pakistan's proxy war: Exiled Kashmiri leader

Rediff.com11 Jul 2016

Exiled Kashmiri leader and spokesperson of the United Kashmir People's National Party Nasir Aziz Khan has alleged that Pakistan has been waging a proxy war in Kashmir since 1998 and had been using the religious sentiment of the Kashmiri people, adding that slain Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was also part of that war.

Kerala bishops' body approaches PM as NCW seeks ban on confessions

Kerala bishops' body approaches PM as NCW seeks ban on confessions

Rediff.com27 Jul 2018

Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam, meanwhile, 'rejected outright' the NCW's recommendation

What Indian Music Should Airlines Play?

What Indian Music Should Airlines Play?

Rediff.com15 Jan 2022

So should airlines play the keening, trance-like Siddi folk music from the Kutch peninsula? The Sufiana Kalam of Kashmir? Carnatic music? Rabindra Sangeet? Bihu melodies? Classical music from the Hindustani gharanas? Ghazals? Bhajans? Bollywood hits?... asks Kanika Datta.

'Islam is not exclusively for men; it's for men and women'

'Islam is not exclusively for men; it's for men and women'

Rediff.com26 Aug 2016

On Friday, the Bombay high court reversing the ban imposed on women entering the inner sanctum of the Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai said, "The ban is contrary to articles 14, 15, 19 and 25 of the Constitution of India. Women should be permitted to enter the dargah on par with men." The news brought much cheer and joy to petitioner Zakia Soman who is also the founder of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan. Zakia spoke to Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf on what made this verdict historic and how it will bring about a change in the future.

SC to hear Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case on Feb 26

SC to hear Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case on Feb 26

Rediff.com21 Feb 2019

It will be heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

'It is not easy to misappropriate Netaji'

'It is not easy to misappropriate Netaji'

Rediff.com7 Apr 2021

'He was always opposed to a form of nationalism that was narrow, selfish and arrogant.' 'He will always remain a beacon of inspiration for freedom-loving people across the world and for movements of resistance against oppressive State power.'

Tamil Nadu's Is Saivism Hinduism Debate

Tamil Nadu's Is Saivism Hinduism Debate

Rediff.com12 May 2022

Stalin's personal intervention in the Adheenam row may have contained the avoidable political damage and social tensions at least for now, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Can Modi-Trump bromance really improve India-US ties?

Can Modi-Trump bromance really improve India-US ties?

Rediff.com27 Feb 2020

'While high-level interventions may help smoothen inter-State relationships, they cannot fundamentally change the alchemy of such relationships, which are firmly rooted in mutual benefits and mutual interests,' points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Time for India to fix relations with Kuwait

Time for India to fix relations with Kuwait

Rediff.com6 Oct 2020

'Modi has visited all these three countries (the UAE more than once, inexplicably) but has left out Kuwait and Oman, the two Gulf countries that are closest to India in their political, cultural and civilisational ethos,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'Clerics don't scare me'

'Clerics don't scare me'

Rediff.com1 Jul 2016

'Thank God I don't live in a country governed by religious contractors,' Irrfan bursts out on Twitter.

'India must show the world it is a power to be reckoned with'

'India must show the world it is a power to be reckoned with'

Rediff.com29 Sep 2014

Speaking of the religious freedom and safety they feel in India, Rabbi Romiel Daniel, part of the Indian Jewish Congregation of USA, tells George Joseph/Rediff.com that members of his community hope for better relations between India and Israel.

'LDF has more than 50% chance of coming back to power'

'LDF has more than 50% chance of coming back to power'

Rediff.com16 Mar 2021

'For the UDF, it will depend on how far Rahul Gandhi will succeed with the goodwill he has.' 'That will make a difference.'

30 yrs on, US urges China to give details of those killed in Tiananmen square

30 yrs on, US urges China to give details of those killed in Tiananmen square

Rediff.com4 Jun 2019

The massive square became famous all over the world with an iconic picture of a young man standing before a row of battle tanks in a bid to stop them.

Bombay HC refuses to relax beef ban for Bakri Eid

Bombay HC refuses to relax beef ban for Bakri Eid

Rediff.com21 Sep 2015

The Bombay high court on Monday refused to grant interim stay on ban on slaughter of bulls and sale of their meat during the Muslim festival of Bakri Eid.

'Lord Krishna has chosen me to be his messenger on earth'

'Lord Krishna has chosen me to be his messenger on earth'

Rediff.com9 Apr 2020

'I accept that huge responsibility very humbly.'

Kashmir: US lawmakers urge Pompeo to intervene

Kashmir: US lawmakers urge Pompeo to intervene

Rediff.com12 Sep 2019

Pramila Jayapal, the first and the only Indian-American Congresswoman in the House of Representatives, and Congressman James P McGovern said the international media and independent human rights observers must immediately be allowed into Jammu and Kashmir to investigate reports of abuse.

Post Pulwama, Pak remains safe haven for terrorists: US

Post Pulwama, Pak remains safe haven for terrorists: US

Rediff.com24 Jun 2020

The suspension of US aid to Pakistan, which was announced by President Donald Trump in January 2018, remained in effect throughout 2019, the State Department said.

An Ill Wind Blowing Over Karnataka

An Ill Wind Blowing Over Karnataka

Rediff.com13 Apr 2022

This divisiveness is upsetting social cohesion and can throw the bright young people thronging to Bengaluru with billion dollar ideas in their creative minds off balance, warns Shekhar Gupta.

Lynchings will stop if people don't eat beef: RSS leader

Lynchings will stop if people don't eat beef: RSS leader

Rediff.com24 Jul 2018

The RSS leader says that killing a cow was not approved by any religion.

SC refers Sabarimala review petitions to larger bench

SC refers Sabarimala review petitions to larger bench

Rediff.com15 Nov 2019

A majority verdict by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices A M Khanwilkar and Indu Malhotra decided to keep pending the pleas seeking a review of its decision regarding the entry of women into the shrine, and said restrictions on women in religious places was not restricted to Sabarimala alone and was prevalent in other religions as well.

'My country is walking down a dark path'

'My country is walking down a dark path'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2021

'The only reason why these troubling developments are taking place is because of a certain arrogance of power displayed by this government that hopes to clamp down on those voices which have repeatedly pointed out that their bloated rhetoric and grandstanding are not matched by their insipid and tepid response in matters of governance.'

TN assembly passes resolution urging Centre to repeal CAA

TN assembly passes resolution urging Centre to repeal CAA

Rediff.com9 Sep 2021

The Tamil Nadu assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution urging the Centre to repeal the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 to protect and ensure unity and communal harmony and uphold the secular principles enshrined in the Constitution.

Crossing The World's Most Dramatic Border

Crossing The World's Most Dramatic Border

Rediff.com29 Mar 2022

Today, the two countries, ruthlessly divided by the Radcliffe line that pierced their very heart, grapple with the political challenges of the present. Yet, when friendships develop there are no borders, observes Payal Singh Mohanka.

What parivartan does Modi want?

What parivartan does Modi want?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2021

The prime minister says he will bring real change to Bengal. Perhaps he will. The interesting thing is that his party has never defined what this change is, observes Aakar Patel.

Mr Modi: How will the poor pay for the vaccine?

Mr Modi: How will the poor pay for the vaccine?

Rediff.com8 May 2021

We are today carrying out the reconstruction of New Delhi which will cost us Rs 20,000 crore and give the prime minister a new house while crores of people have no means and no money to buy vaccines for their children, observes Aakar Patel.

'We won't allow govt to reduce us to documents'

'We won't allow govt to reduce us to documents'

Rediff.com14 Jan 2020

'These protests are not just about the CAA. It is against allowing fascism and religious discrimination to creep into our legal system.'

When the British arrested Annie Besant, who, with Tilak, demanded Home Rule

When the British arrested Annie Besant, who, with Tilak, demanded Home Rule

Rediff.com16 Aug 2017

100 years ago, Dr Annie Besant was interned by the British in a bungalow in Ooty.

South Africans raise fists before first Test against Lanka

South Africans raise fists before first Test against Lanka

Rediff.com26 Dec 2020

The players, led by Quinton de Kock, raised their firsts after singing the South African national anthem

Bangladesh has special place in India's neighbourhood first policy: Kovind

Bangladesh has special place in India's neighbourhood first policy: Kovind

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

President Kovind, who arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day on his maiden State visit at the invitation of his counterpart M Abdul Hamid to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, held delegation-level talks with him which was followed by a banquet.

Trump hosts iftaar dinner, condemns NZ, SL terror attacks

Trump hosts iftaar dinner, condemns NZ, SL terror attacks

Rediff.com14 May 2019

'Ramadan is a time when people join forces in pursuit of hope, tolerance and peace. It is in this spirit that we come together tonight for Iftaar, the traditional Ramadan meal that breaks the daily fast,'

Why China is angry with the Puja in Bodh Gaya

Why China is angry with the Puja in Bodh Gaya

Rediff.com13 Jan 2017

China's ruling Communist Party has cracked down on Tibetans who planned to attend the Kalachakra Puja in Bodh Gaya. But the Tibetan people have dared the Communists by listening to the Dalai Lama's sermons on the Internet and sharing videos on social media.

Any one of us can be arrested at any time

Any one of us can be arrested at any time

Rediff.com20 Oct 2018

'India may well be a religious country, but that is precisely why we need to avoid criminalising blasphemy,' argues Mihir S Sharma.

India abstains from voting on UN resolution on American NGO

India abstains from voting on UN resolution on American NGO

Rediff.com22 Jul 2015

India was among the 11 countries that abstained from voting on the resolution in the UN Economic and Social Council.

Defamation complaint against Tharoor for remark against PM

Defamation complaint against Tharoor for remark against PM

Rediff.com3 Nov 2018

In his complaint, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rajeev Babbar said his religious sentiments were hurt.

'Sustained onslaught has put Indian democracy on notice'

'Sustained onslaught has put Indian democracy on notice'

Rediff.com17 May 2016

Ashwani Kumar, in a lecture at the prestigious Trinity College, Dublin, said the recent incident of "oppressive enforcement" of the colonial law of sedition against students protesting in university campuses has raised several questions about the future of India's liberal democracy.