News for 'religious institutions'

Row erupts over Udupi commissioner holding saffron flag

Row erupts over Udupi commissioner holding saffron flag

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

The Congress party in Karnataka is demanding action against a District Commissioner for holding a saffron flag during a religious procession. The DC claims she was performing her official duties and denies any political motivation.

'Hindus Voted Overwhelmingly For BNP'

'Hindus Voted Overwhelmingly For BNP'

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

'Tarique Rahman's refrain during the electoral campaign was that the minorities are safe under BNP. He has to honour that promise.'

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

This is the first Budget in my memory of Budgets over the last half a century which has embraced upfront, enthusiastically and emphatically, technology, modernity and fiscal sobriety, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

100 crore on this side won't watch silently if...., Suvendu warns B'desh

100 crore on this side won't watch silently if...., Suvendu warns B'desh

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

Protests continue in Kolkata against attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari threatens a large-scale protest if the attacks are not stopped.

'Hateful' graffiti comes up in Kolkata ISI campus, students protest

'Hateful' graffiti comes up in Kolkata ISI campus, students protest

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

Researchers and students at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) protested against hateful graffiti targeting a specific community that appeared on campus. The graffiti was discovered shortly after a blast near the Red Fort in Delhi. Students and faculty members participated in rallies and put up posters denouncing the messages and reaffirming the institute's commitment to pluralism and secularism. The ISI Director condemned the act and pledged to take remedial measures.

'India sees chaos': Sheikh Hasina slams Yunus over violence

'India sees chaos': Sheikh Hasina slams Yunus over violence

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

'The strain you are witnessing is entirely of Yunus's making. His government issues hostile statements against India, fails to protect religious minorities, and allows extremists to dictate foreign policy, then expresses surprise when tensions rise'

Usman Khawaja Batted For Integrity On And Off The Field

Usman Khawaja Batted For Integrity On And Off The Field

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

'In choosing to be fully himself, even when it was uncomfortable, Usman Khawaja expanded the meaning of representation and conscience in Australian sport,' notes Asif Ullah Khan.

'How Can You Ask Muslim Women To Wait For The Right Time?'

'How Can You Ask Muslim Women To Wait For The Right Time?'

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

'Every issue that Muslims are facing today affects Muslim women. But how come women's issues don't affect the community?' 'How does the community benefit by the practice of halala or polygamy?'

Why RSS Must Choose Bharatiyata Over Hindutva

Why RSS Must Choose Bharatiyata Over Hindutva

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

The future of India will be shaped and decided by the choices the RSS makes now, argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Why Educated Muslim Youth Join Terror Modules

Why Educated Muslim Youth Join Terror Modules

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

Radical Islamist networks are deliberately targeting Muslim youths embedded within the country's professional and academic ecosystems, leveraging their skills, mobility, and digital reach to quietly strengthen operational capabilities. This trend highlights a dangerous evolution in terror recruitment -- one that exploits ideological faultlines, online echo chambers and transnational radical Islamist influences to attract individuals who outwardly embody India's modern and aspirational narrative, points out Dr Kanchan Lakshman.

Owaisi, Congress MP move SC against Waqf Bill

Owaisi, Congress MP move SC against Waqf Bill

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi have challenged the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Supreme Court, arguing that it violates constitutional provisions. The petitions claim the bill imposes arbitrary restrictions on Waqf properties and their management, undermining the religious autonomy of the Muslim community. They also allege that the bill discriminates against Muslims by imposing restrictions not present in the governance of other religious endowments. The bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, with the petitioners arguing that it introduces limitations on the creation of Waqfs based on the duration of one's religious practice, mandates inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf administrative bodies, and shifts key administrative functions to government officials, thereby diluting the autonomy of Waqf management.

'Why Would A Doctor Become A Suicide Bomber?'

'Why Would A Doctor Become A Suicide Bomber?'

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

'Why would a highly qualified doctor with a promising future choose to wage war against his own country?'

MP minister calls Raja Ram Mohan Roy 'British agent'

MP minister calls Raja Ram Mohan Roy 'British agent'

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

Madhya Pradesh Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Inder Singh Parmar has sparked controversy by saying that social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a 'British agent' who started a 'vicious cycle of religious conversion', prompting the Trinamool Congress to call the remarks an insult to Bengal.

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

The Karnataka Legislative Council passed a bill to curb hate speech, facing strong opposition from BJP and JD(S), who criticized it as 'draconian' and a threat to free speech. The bill proposes jail terms and fines for hate crimes and repeated offenses.

9 killed in stampede at Andhra Pradesh temple on Ekadashi

9 killed in stampede at Andhra Pradesh temple on Ekadashi

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

The public thought that something was falling and panicked. They fell from a height of about six feet. Since the collapse was from a height of six feet, one person fell on another, and that led to the incident, he added.

Terror Module: 'Pakistan's Handlers Shifted Strategy'

Terror Module: 'Pakistan's Handlers Shifted Strategy'

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

'Rather than deploying Pakistani nationals or using identifiable cross-border materials, the ISI sought to radicalise and recruit local Indian youth, including well-educated professionals such as doctors.'

SC delivers split verdict on review of Akola riots SIT order

SC delivers split verdict on review of Akola riots SIT order

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on a plea by the Maharashtra government seeking a review of the court's earlier direction to form a special investigation team (SIT) with Hindu and Muslim officers to investigate the 2023 Akola communal riots. Justice Sanjay Kumar refused to review the direction, while Justice Satish Chandra Sharma agreed to hear the review plea in open court.

Not allowing girl to wear hijab to school denial of...: Kerala govt

Not allowing girl to wear hijab to school denial of...: Kerala govt

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

The government said the right of the girl to wear a headscarf in her house and outside it, "does not stop at the school gate".

Congress Will Split Soon: Modi

Congress Will Split Soon: Modi

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

'The Congress has no positive vision for the country. The truth is that today the Congress has become the Muslimleegi Maowadi Congress -- MMC. The Congress' entire agenda revolves around this, so now a new faction is emerging within Congress itself, which is uncomfortable with this negative politics.'

Hoardings in villages barring entry to pastors not unconstitutional: HC

Hoardings in villages barring entry to pastors not unconstitutional: HC

Rediff.com2 Nov 2025

The Chhattisgarh high court has disposed of two petitions seeking the removal of hoardings prohibiting entry to pastors and 'converted Christians' in eight villages, holding that they were installed to prevent forced conversions through allurement or fraudulent means and cannot be termed as unconstitutional.

Dr Shaheen Sayeed captured in Faridabad part of Jaish women wing: Officials

Dr Shaheen Sayeed captured in Faridabad part of Jaish women wing: Officials

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

A woman doctor arrested in connection with an inter-state terror module was part of Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, an organization launched by Jaish-e-Mohammed, officials said.

The World Is A Dangerous Place

The World Is A Dangerous Place

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

After Donald Trump became president of the United States, he unleashed economic weaponisation, upsetting the old world order, leading to much unrest. If that wasn't all, the threat of an imminent nuclear war was issued by the US, Russia, China, North Korea and Pakistan. In today's fractious times, Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios would have made a dent, notes His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III.

The Gentle Colossus Of Tamil Cinema

The Gentle Colossus Of Tamil Cinema

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

Whether it was in the company of superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan -- or, on rare occasions with both together, among others -- Saravanan's demeanour would stand out, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

UP to make singing Vande Mataram compulsory in schools

UP to make singing Vande Mataram compulsory in schools

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that singing 'Vande Mataram' will be made compulsory in every school and educational institution of the state.

The Family Man Or The Kapoors: What Will You Watch On OTT?

The Family Man Or The Kapoors: What Will You Watch On OTT?

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

From India's entry to the Oscars to the foodie flamboyance of Bollywood's first family to Srikant Tiwari's hope for a hat-trick and Korean entertainment in deeply dark mode, it's raining OTT goodies this week.

Karnataka moves to rein in RSS events in public, govt spaces

Karnataka moves to rein in RSS events in public, govt spaces

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

The Karnataka Cabinet has decided to bring in rules to regulate RSS activities, including marches and events in public places and government premises, requiring prior government permission.

'Irreparable Harm If Govt Takes Over Waqf Properties'

'Irreparable Harm If Govt Takes Over Waqf Properties'

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

'Only because of the absence of a dedication record in writing, how can such properties be treated as located on misappropriated government land?'

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

'The question for the TMC is not whether it can hold its bastions, but whether it can expand effectively into regions where the BJP already possesses a good ecosystem.'

'Glorification Of Demolitions Incentivises Leaders'

'Glorification Of Demolitions Incentivises Leaders'

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

'The implementation of the judgment has largely been left to the discretion of the very executive authorities it sought to restrain.'

'Pakistan Under Complete Army Control, Not Good News For India'

'Pakistan Under Complete Army Control, Not Good News For India'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

'Can a nuclear-armed nation sustain itself indefinitely under overt military rule without catastrophic consequences for itself and the region? History suggests otherwise.'

Key changes in the new Income Tax Bill

Key changes in the new Income Tax Bill

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

The new Income Tax Bill, passed by Lok Sabha on Monday, has retained the provisions regarding ITR filing for TDS claims and tax exemptions for anonymous donations made to all religious-cum-charitable trusts, as in the existing tax laws. The original Income Tax Bill, which was brought in Parliament in February, had done away with this exemption and the ITR filing flexibility for claiming TDS refunds.

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

On August 5, 1953, Jawaharlal Nehru sent a strange note to the foreign secretary. It is worth mentioning because it was symptomatic of the lack of knowledge about Western Tibet in India and in South Block in particular, notes Claude Arpi.

Dream On... Viksit Bharat

Dream On... Viksit Bharat

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

Can change happen? Not unless the changemakers themselves want it since they benefit the most from the status quo, warns Biswajit Dasgupta.

SC upholds bar on declaring tribal lands as waqf properties

SC upholds bar on declaring tribal lands as waqf properties

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court refused to stay a provision barring the declaration of tribal lands as waqf properties, upholding key provisions of the Amended Waqf Act.

Radicalisation In Kashmir Schools Cause For Concern

Radicalisation In Kashmir Schools Cause For Concern

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

The surge in radicalisation has even startled some ex-separatist groups as they are concerned that another religious extremism wave, forced from the other side of the Line of Control, will destabilise the Valley's centuries-old Sufi tradition.

Is AMU a minority institution or not? SC to pronounce verdict on Friday

Is AMU a minority institution or not? SC to pronounce verdict on Friday

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

On February 1, grappling with the intractable issue of the AMU's minority status, the top court said the 1981 amendment to the AMU Act, which effectively accorded it a minority status, only did a "half-hearted job" and did not restore the institution the position it had prior to 1951.

From Gujarat To Global Stage: Modi's 25 Year Journey

From Gujarat To Global Stage: Modi's 25 Year Journey

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

'I disagree with much of Modi's politics, but it cannot be denied that in these years in office, he has carved more than a niche for himself in history,' points out Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author, Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.

Over 1 lakh Muslims protest Waqf law in Karnataka, recall Shahbano stir

Over 1 lakh Muslims protest Waqf law in Karnataka, recall Shahbano stir

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Over one lakh Muslims gathered in Karnataka to protest the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, which they say erodes the autonomy of Waqf institutions and threatens their rights. The protest, organized by the Karnataka State Ulema Coordination Committee, saw strong opposition to provisions in the amended law that they argue allow for coercive acquisition of Waqf properties. Leaders alleged that the amendment is part of a broader political agenda and urged the community to uphold their legal and constitutional rights.

SEE: Suvendu Adhikari's convoy attacked in Cooch Behar

SEE: Suvendu Adhikari's convoy attacked in Cooch Behar

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

The convoy of West Bengal's Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, was allegedly attacked by TMC workers during a protest in Cooch Behar. Bulletproof glasses of Adhikari's vehicle were smashed. TMC denies involvement, calling it a 'well-scripted drama'.

We lose our religion when...: CJI raps govt in Waqf case

We lose our religion when...: CJI raps govt in Waqf case

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court expressed its disapproval of an analogy used by the Centre in support of the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards, stating that such logic would disqualify a bench of Hindu judges from hearing matters related to Waqf. The CJI questioned the Centre's stance on the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which allows non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and state waqf boards. The Solicitor General defended the provisions, emphasizing that the non-Muslim inclusion is limited and does not impact the Muslim composition of these bodies. However, the CJI asserted that judges shed their religious affiliations while serving on the bench and maintained their secularity in their judicial capacity.