News for 'religious minorities'

India rejects US report on religious freedom

India rejects US report on religious freedom

Rediff.com23 Jun 2019

The report, released on June 21, alleged that some senior leaders of the BJP "made inflammatory speeches against minority communities".

Secularism means live and let live: SC on question of regulating madrasas

Secularism means live and let live: SC on question of regulating madrasas

Rediff.com22 Oct 2024

Observing secularism means to 'live and let live', the Supreme Court on Tuesday said regulating madrasas was in the national interest as several hundred years of the nation's composite culture could not be wished away by creating silos for minorities.

BJP Concedes AIADMK Demands In Eagerness For Alliance

BJP Concedes AIADMK Demands In Eagerness For Alliance

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

EPS has had its way on most things, alliance-wise. A week earlier, he reiterated that he would not re-admit OPS and Sasikala Natarajan back in the party. It was a message not just to detractors in the AIADMK. It was even more so for the BJP leadership in Delhi. Even more important for the AIADMK was their demand for accepting EPS as the chief ministerial candidate of any alliance that the party would form, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why Modi Chose To Speak In Parliament On Maha Kumbh

Why Modi Chose To Speak In Parliament On Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Besides the not-so-hidden unease between Modi and Adityanath, Modi chose to address the Lok Sabha to ensure that he could personally claim all the kudos, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

'Gyanendra back on the throne would be bad news for the Nepali people. He may not have learnt from his experience, but we have.'

SC notice to Tamil Nadu over 'banning' Ram mandir telecast

SC notice to Tamil Nadu over 'banning' Ram mandir telecast

Rediff.com22 Jan 2024

The bench took on record the statement of senior advocate Amit Anand Tiwari for Tamil Nadu that there are no restrictions on 'puja archana' in temples or live telecast of consecration ceremony at Ayodhya.

India hits back at Imran Khan for criticising CAB

India hits back at Imran Khan for criticising CAB

Rediff.com12 Dec 2019

MEA said such comments cannot absolve Pak of the blatant persecution of the religious minorities and said the Pak PM needs to look inwards.

Did Muslims Turn Their Backs On Kejriwal?

Did Muslims Turn Their Backs On Kejriwal?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

The Delhi assembly results have underscored that a section of Arvind Kejriwal's committed supporters abandoned him because they were let down by his refusal to take a stand on crucial issues that impinge on the security and Constitutionally enshrined rights of the people, notes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Allowing religious intolerance not good for a secular country: HC

Allowing religious intolerance not good for a secular country: HC

Rediff.com8 May 2021

A bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and P Velmurugan made the remarks while hearing a petition over conduct of temple processions by villagers at V Kalathur in Perambalur district in Tamil Nadu on a specified route, objected to by local Muslims.

Assam govt tables compulsory Muslim marriage, divorce registration bill

Assam govt tables compulsory Muslim marriage, divorce registration bill

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

Last month, the Cabinet had approved the Repealing Bill to abolish the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act and Rules of 1935, which permitted underage marriages under specific conditions.

If we can create Bangladesh...: Ramdev on safety of Hindus

If we can create Bangladesh...: Ramdev on safety of Hindus

Rediff.com7 Aug 2024

'I fear that India will need to remain vigilant so that the honour and dignity of the mothers, sisters and daughters of our Hindu brothers are not at stake. The entire country will have to stand with its minority Hindu brothers with full strength'

MP cabinet approves law against religious conversion

MP cabinet approves law against religious conversion

Rediff.com26 Dec 2020

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Saturday approved the Religious Freedom Bill 2020, which provides for prison term of up to 10 years and fine of Rs 1 lakh for conversion through marriage or by any other fraudulent means, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said.

RSS says stop religious conversion, enact law

RSS says stop religious conversion, enact law

Rediff.com30 Oct 2021

"There are people who get converted and do not disclose that they have converted. They take double benefits," RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said at a press conference."

3 assaulted for chanting 'Jai Shree Ram' in Bengaluru

3 assaulted for chanting 'Jai Shree Ram' in Bengaluru

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

Two men were arrested and two minors were apprehended in connection with Wednesday's incident at Chikkabettahalli

Bangladesh foreign, home ministers cancel India visit over CAB

Bangladesh foreign, home ministers cancel India visit over CAB

Rediff.com12 Dec 2019

The foreign minister said he has other engagements in Bangladesh while the home minister cancelled the visit due to ongoing protests against CAB.

BJP MP wants MHA to probe if ISI, China prompting massive feedback to Waqf bill

BJP MP wants MHA to probe if ISI, China prompting massive feedback to Waqf bill

Rediff.com25 Sep 2024

Raising concern over the nearly 1.25 crore feedback submissions received by the parliamentary committee scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Bharatiya Janata Party member Nishikant Dubey has called for a probe into their sources, including in the possible role of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence and China.

Bangladesh court refuses to ban ISKCON amid violence

Bangladesh court refuses to ban ISKCON amid violence

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

The lawyer had sought a ban from the high court on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) after placing some newspaper reports related to the organisation on Wednesday.

'Radical organisation': Plea seeks ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh

'Radical organisation': Plea seeks ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

This comes amid the row over the arrest of former priest of ISKCON Bangladesh, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, over sedition charges, which led to protests and unrest in Bangladesh.

Resolve growing religious divide, says Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, BJP hits back

Resolve growing religious divide, says Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, BJP hits back

Rediff.com31 Mar 2022

"Karnataka has always forged inclusive economic development and we must not allow such communal exclusion- If ITBT became communal it would destroy our global leadership. @BSBommai please resolve this growing religious divide," Mazumdar-Shaw said.

Qatar World Cup: Minor offences won't result in arrest

Qatar World Cup: Minor offences won't result in arrest

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

Qatar is trying to strike between respecting religious traditions and accommodating the raucous exuberance of more than a million visiting soccer fans.

Sukhbir Badal ordered to clean shoes at Golden Temple

Sukhbir Badal ordered to clean shoes at Golden Temple

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Pronouncing 'tankhah' (religious punishment) for Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders for the 'mistakes' committed by the Shiromani Akali Dal government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017, the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht on Monday directed the senior Akali leader to perform as a 'sewadar', and wash dishes and clean shoes at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Jyoti Punwani: December 6, 1992, All Over Again?

Jyoti Punwani: December 6, 1992, All Over Again?

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Can ordinary citizens counter this backward march? Can peace activists ensure that the two communities retain their bonds? Do they have a choice, asks Jyoti Punwani.

Son accidentally videographs father raping minor

Son accidentally videographs father raping minor

Rediff.com29 Jun 2023

A 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 68-year-old man while his son ended up recording the act on his phone suspecting that his father practised black magic, the police in Delhi said on Thursday.

SC refers AMU minority status matter to 7-judge bench

SC refers AMU minority status matter to 7-judge bench

Rediff.com12 Feb 2019

The Allahabad high court had in January 2006 struck down the provision of the 1981 amendment Act by which the university was accorded the minority status.

No foreign entity has right to comment on India: Govt on US religious rights report

No foreign entity has right to comment on India: Govt on US religious rights report

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

No foreign entity or government has any locus standi to comment on the fundamental rights of Indian citizens, the government said on Thursday, rejecting a report by the US state department on the alleged curtailment of religious freedom in India.

Population rise not religion-linked, Muslim fertility rate lowest: NGO

Population rise not religion-linked, Muslim fertility rate lowest: NGO

Rediff.com9 May 2024

In a statement, the Population Foundation of India said it is deeply concerned about recent media reports "misreporting" the findings from the study to spread alarm regarding the growth of the Muslim population in the country.

The Sabarmati Report Review: Poorly Crafted Propaganda

The Sabarmati Report Review: Poorly Crafted Propaganda

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

The Sabarmati Report is so flimsy in its execution, taking offence to it would be dignifying its existence, notes Sukanya Verma.

Karnataka seeing new kind of 'jihad' through waqf: Union minister

Karnataka seeing new kind of 'jihad' through waqf: Union minister

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

Hitting out at the Congress government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he said the ruling party has reached "height of appeasement politics," and alleged that it has in a way made appeasement of minorities its "goal."

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

It was a protest which held a mirror to the government of a state taking pride in its commitment to democracy, gender equality and social indices.One person, who in his employed days had known governments and political parties at close quarters, told me that public perception of how the Kerala government handled the ASHA workers' strike had been terrible, reports Shyam G Menon.

CAA made world aware of religious persecution in Pak: Modi

CAA made world aware of religious persecution in Pak: Modi

Rediff.com12 Jan 2020

I want to make this clear again that the CAA is not about taking away anybody's citizenship, but about granting citizenship, Modi said.

US Congresswoman introduces anti-India resolution in House

US Congresswoman introduces anti-India resolution in House

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

A resolution calls the US Secretary of State to designate India as a country of particular concern for alleged violation of religious freedom.

Let's speak in favour of religious freedom: Pompeo

Let's speak in favour of religious freedom: Pompeo

Rediff.com26 Jun 2019

"Whenever we do compromise those rights, the world is worse off," Pompeo said.

'Khalistanis are a microscopic minority in Punjab'

'Khalistanis are a microscopic minority in Punjab'

Rediff.com4 Apr 2023

'The Khalistanis get bulk of the money from abroad.' 'Where did Amritpal's Mercedes come from, which costs well over Rs 60 lakhs?' 'Where does his fleet of vehicles come from?' 'Local Punjabis can certainly not contribute this kind of money.'

The politics of religious Census

The politics of religious Census

Rediff.com7 Sep 2015

For a country with a huge atheist vote bank, relatively few claim to be irreligious, says Devangshu Datta

UCC Can Wait, Personal Law Reforms Can't

UCC Can Wait, Personal Law Reforms Can't

Rediff.com8 Aug 2024

Crucial reforms in Muslim personal law, especially laws related to inheritance and adoption, need to be initiated forthwith; historically speaking, without the State's backing, hardly has any reform taken place or allowed to prevail, asserts Mohammad Sajjad.

Fresh headache for India as ISIS seeks foothold in Pakistan

Fresh headache for India as ISIS seeks foothold in Pakistan

Rediff.com3 Jan 2024

Pakistan, which is witnessing an influx of Tehreek-i-Taliban terrorists in significant numbers in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's tribal districts, is also facing a threat from the Islamic State (ISIS) which is trying to establish a foothold in the country, the ministry of interior has said.

Clashes in Maha's Nashik, Jalgaon after protests over Bangladesh violence

Clashes in Maha's Nashik, Jalgaon after protests over Bangladesh violence

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

In Nashik, around 200km from Mumbai, two groups clashed during a bandh called by the Sakal Hindu Samaj in protest against atrocities on minority community members in the neighbouring country, leading to tension in the Bhadrakali area, where police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Alt-News co-founder Zubair booked for post on Narsinghanand

Alt-News co-founder Zubair booked for post on Narsinghanand

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

A first information report (FIR) was filed in Ghaziabad on Monday against Alt-News co-founder Mohammad Zubair for allegedly promoting enmity among religious groups and other offences following a complaint by an aide of controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand, according to police.

'Maharashtra Is Not UP'

'Maharashtra Is Not UP'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

'Young people say they know all this emphasis on Hindu-Muslim differences is politically motivated.' 'If you stop watching TV and turn off social media, you'll find the situation on the ground different.'

Will a motto tweak to 'bahujan' help BSP regain lost ground?

Will a motto tweak to 'bahujan' help BSP regain lost ground?

Rediff.com11 Apr 2024

The bahujan hitai, bahujan sukhai motto was used in the press note issued by the BSP informing about the party chief Mayawati's election meetings in Nagpur (Maharashtra) on Thursday.