News for 'religious scholar'

COVID-19 fight hits top gear as tally crosses 1,900

COVID-19 fight hits top gear as tally crosses 1,900

Rediff.com2 Apr 2020

Authorities across states have identified more than 6,000 people who attended the Nizamuddin Tablighi Jamaat congregation, the biggest COVID-19 hotspot in India.

UP using drones for surveillance in Ayodhya

UP using drones for surveillance in Ayodhya

Rediff.com8 Nov 2019

RSS to interact with Muslim professionals ahead of Ayodhya verdict.

To selfie or not to selfie? Controversy at Haj

To selfie or not to selfie? Controversy at Haj

Rediff.com9 Oct 2014

Thousands of Muslims posing in front of holy sites for a selfie during the Haj, has angered some conservative clerics and sparking a debate over legitimacy of such actions during the annual pilgrimage.

'Time to reinforce civilisational values,' President Mukherjee

'Time to reinforce civilisational values,' President Mukherjee

Rediff.com21 Nov 2015

President Mukherjee warned that "worst impulses of intolerance" are confronting the world and the time has come to reinforce civilisational values that bind us together.

Like Nalanda, India must remain a melting pot of civilisations

Like Nalanda, India must remain a melting pot of civilisations

Rediff.com29 Aug 2016

Universities must be the bastions of free speech and expression. It must be the arena where diverse and conflicting schools of thought contend. There should be no room for intolerance, prejudice and hatred within the spaces of this institution. Further, it must act as flag-bearer for the coexistence of multiple views, thoughts and philosophies, says Pranab Mukherjee.

Muslim leaders suffering from inferiority complex: Pak SC judge

Muslim leaders suffering from inferiority complex: Pak SC judge

Rediff.com6 Apr 2015

Leaders of Muslim world are suffering from an "acute inferiority complex", which stems from the "legacy of the colonial era", Justice Muhammed Al-Ghazali of Supreme Court of Pakistan said.

'We want to see an open debate about Modi's record'

'We want to see an open debate about Modi's record'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2015

'We are calling for democratic accountability even as we talk about Digital India.' 'We are not against Digital India and it is important for India, but the government should not see what is applicable just to entrepreneurs but also to the vast majority of Indians who do not have the kind of advantages that many Silicon Valley entrepreneurs have.'

Secret Superstar removes the veil from Bollywood

Secret Superstar removes the veil from Bollywood

Rediff.com30 Oct 2017

'The Muslim identity of the family appears incidental to the subject of the film...' 'The self-sacrificing, suffering mother film could have belonged to any religion.' 'The abusive father, who prefers his son to his daughter, could have followed any religion.' 'That the Muslim household is remarkably free from religious symbolism is also the strength of the film,' feels Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

Pressure mounts on preacher Zakir Naik; cops guard his office, experts call for Peace TV ban

Pressure mounts on preacher Zakir Naik; cops guard his office, experts call for Peace TV ban

Rediff.com7 Jul 2016

Police have been deployed outside the Mumbai office of a foundation run by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, whose 'hate speech' is reported to have inspired one of the five Bangladeshi militants involved in the recent Dhaka carnage.

US, aided by Pakistan, DESTROYED Afghanistan

US, aided by Pakistan, DESTROYED Afghanistan

Rediff.com27 Aug 2021

The US has the distinction of destroying a flawed but functioning State thrice since 1979. Pakistan has been their constant accomplice, explains Shekhar Gupta.

It's more fasting than feasting this Ramzan in city of Nawabs

It's more fasting than feasting this Ramzan in city of Nawabs

Rediff.com27 Apr 2020

With markets closed and meat supply hit due to the COVID-19-induced lockdown, Muslims are in for a Ramzan without their favourite kebabs and other chicken and mutton dishes.

The rise of non-saffron Modi in Indian politics

The rise of non-saffron Modi in Indian politics

Rediff.com13 Sep 2013

India's secular democracy remains mortgaged to rabid communal politics. Quite clearly, the bloodshed by the religious communities is absolutely political. Even non-BJP political formations have their own Narendra Modis, says Mohammad Sajjad.

WARNING! ISIS may strike India to provoke armageddon

WARNING! ISIS may strike India to provoke armageddon

Rediff.com29 Jul 2015

The Islamic State is preparing to attack India to provoke an Armageddon-like confrontation with the United States, according to an internal recruitment document of the feared group which also seeks to unite the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban into a single army of terror.

'Bhartiyata' should be our only loyalty'

'Bhartiyata' should be our only loyalty'

Rediff.com26 Jan 2022

'As Indians, we should be claiming and celebrating 'Bhartiyata' rather than seeking commitment to beliefs which are divisive and exclusionary.'

6 professors awarded Infosys Prize 2019 for science and research

6 professors awarded Infosys Prize 2019 for science and research

Rediff.com7 Nov 2019

The annual award includes a pure gold medal, a citation and a prize purse worth $ 100,000 or its equivalent in the Indian rupees.

What your Zoom background says about you

What your Zoom background says about you

Rediff.com21 Sep 2020

Is there no 'normal' background? Sure there is.

What ideas informed Gandhi's inner life?

What ideas informed Gandhi's inner life?

Rediff.com30 Jan 2019

'I assume Ramachandra Guha's neglect of this aspect of Gandhi grows out of the belief that Gandhi's life had no central text,' says Rudrangshu Mukherjee, professor of history, Ashoka University.

Healers and the world

Healers and the world

Rediff.com24 Apr 2020

'With doctors going up against a seemingly invincible enemy, often at immense risk to their lives, the myths reveal an interesting relationship between the men of medicine and the rest of humankind,' notes Arundhuti Dasgupta.

Trump's pick Amy Barrett sworn in as Supreme Court justice

Trump's pick Amy Barrett sworn in as Supreme Court justice

Rediff.com27 Oct 2020

The Senate confirmed the nomination of Barrett as the Supreme Court Judge by 52-48 votes, overcoming the unified opposition of Democrats.

Wendy Doniger is now under attack for 'On Hinduism'

Wendy Doniger is now under attack for 'On Hinduism'

Rediff.com1 Mar 2014

Another book on Hinduism by American indologist Wendy Doniger has come under attack from the same Delhi-based group which had compelled the publishers of an earlier work by her to withdraw the title.

Ayodhya case: SC to wrap up hearing a day earlier

Ayodhya case: SC to wrap up hearing a day earlier

Rediff.com4 Oct 2019

The judgment in the matter is to be pronounced by November 17, the day the CJI will retire.

Our deadliest battles are now fought over literature, art and culture

Our deadliest battles are now fought over literature, art and culture

Rediff.com1 Sep 2015

The only thing more dangerous than a killer who thinks he is acting to protect his faith or community is the killer who knows he is acting with the sanction of his faith or community

After the Ayodhya verdict: What Salman Khurshid wrote in his book

After the Ayodhya verdict: What Salman Khurshid wrote in his book

Rediff.com12 Nov 2021

Indian politics, held captive in one way or the other by Ayodhya, may now well seek its emancipation from this issue, and the pursuit of welfare, asserts Congress leader Salman Khurshid in this excerpt from his latest book, Sunrise over Ayodhya.

Dear Mr Modi, I love you: 26/11 survivor Moshe tells PM

Dear Mr Modi, I love you: 26/11 survivor Moshe tells PM

Rediff.com5 Jul 2017

Modi also met Moshe's Indian nanny Sandra Samuels, who managed to escape with him from the Nariman House which came under attack by Pakistan-based LeT terrorists.

The army needs a new strategy for Kashmir

The army needs a new strategy for Kashmir

Rediff.com1 Jul 2017

'A new doctrine now needs to be evolved for a new situation, and the army will do it.' 'You won't see more Kashmiris driven in front of army columns.' 'Nor will the army massacre hundreds, Dyer style,' says Shekhar Gupta.

A new Sanskrit wave

A new Sanskrit wave

Rediff.com12 Jul 2016

A cow that speaks, a question on patriarchy and the story of a 17th-century poet - Sanskrit filmmakers are finding new ways to revive the 'dying' language.

Ram temple discussions off the table at Kumbh

Ram temple discussions off the table at Kumbh

Rediff.com9 May 2016

The VHP will focus on non-religious topics and give the Ram temple a miss at the three-day Vaicharik Kumbh, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shashikant Trivedi reports.

Ayodhya verdict: AIMPLB says may seek review

Ayodhya verdict: AIMPLB says may seek review

Rediff.com10 Nov 2019

Sources in the prominent Muslim body Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said it was not in favour of filing a review petition and wants the matter to end.

China launches new attack on the Dalai Lama

China launches new attack on the Dalai Lama

Rediff.com8 Apr 2016

'The first time that China alleged the Dalai Lama was 'anti-national' and 'unpatriotic' was after he affirmed that Arunachal Pradesh and Tawang are part of India,' points out former RA&W official Jayadeva Ranade.

16 US Attorney Generals challenge Trump's immigration ban

16 US Attorney Generals challenge Trump's immigration ban

Rediff.com7 Feb 2017

The Attorney Generals from Pennsylvania, New York, California, Illinois said the executive order signed by the US president is "discriminatory", "unconstitutional and un-American".

'Naik evokes a closed reading of the Quran to establish Islamic supremacy'

'Naik evokes a closed reading of the Quran to establish Islamic supremacy'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2016

'Naik is an outcome of an image-centric Islam, which is linked to the technological changes introduced by new media.' 'English educated upper middle class Muslims embraced Naik's image-centric Islam in the 1990s.' 'Television converted him into a religious object.'

Islamic clerics issue fatwa against Assam's teen singer

Islamic clerics issue fatwa against Assam's teen singer

Rediff.com15 Mar 2017

The diktat was circulated through pamphlets which was widely distributed on Tuesday among public across Hojai and Nagaon districts in central Assam.

Lal Ded, the mystic of Kashmir

Lal Ded, the mystic of Kashmir

Rediff.com23 Sep 2019

At a time when the Kashmir valley has been shut down, it is perhaps appropriate that we remember Lal Ded, Kashmir's best known spiritual and literary figure, someone remembered with divine adoration both by Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir. A fascinating excerpt from Sandhya Mulchandani's For The Love Of God: Women Poet Saints Of The Bhakti Movement.

Decoding Zakir Naik: A TV preacher or a threat?

Decoding Zakir Naik: A TV preacher or a threat?

Rediff.com7 Jul 2016

Here is what we know about this extremely controversial figure

Elitism, populism, meritocracy...

Elitism, populism, meritocracy...

Rediff.com5 Jul 2019

Ajit Balakrishnan decodes the angst-ridden discourse of the day.

25 years in the making, Encyclopedia of Hinduism finally unveiled

25 years in the making, Encyclopedia of Hinduism finally unveiled

Rediff.com27 Aug 2013

A 25-year quest by nearly 1,000 scholars to document and present one of the world's oldest living traditions came to fruition when the 'Encyclopedia of Hinduism' was unveiled in Columbia.

'ISIS will never hold sway in J&K'

'ISIS will never hold sway in J&K'

Rediff.com4 Aug 2016

'These inhuman people will never find a place in Jammu & Kashmir or hold in any sway over the youth here.'

'The core problem, the core challenge is in Assam'

'The core problem, the core challenge is in Assam'

Rediff.com13 Dec 2019

'People feel concerned about the future, whether it is the land or the jobs.' 'The BJP came to power in Assam with promises of maati, bheti (home, hearth and identity), land, jobs and culture.' 'Are these going to taken care of? I think those are real concerns.' 'The Assam chief minister (Sarbananda Sonowal) was one of the leaders of the All Assam Students Union which fought for and is one of the signatories to the Assam Accord.' 'Today, his comrade-in-arms (Samujjal Bhattacharya, chief advisor, AASU) is leading the opposition in the streets.'

Indian economy is like a man with aggravated hydrocele

Indian economy is like a man with aggravated hydrocele

Rediff.com19 Sep 2019

'The Indian economy has become like a car that has the appropriate wheels on one side -- political liberalism -- and scooter wheels -- economic illiberalism -- on the other,' points out T C A Srinivasa Raghavan.

ISIS: The Kerala Connection

ISIS: The Kerala Connection

Rediff.com20 Apr 2018

ISIS's online propaganda radicalises Muslim youth in Kerala. A revealing excerpt from Stanly Johny's new book, The ISIS Caliphate From Syria to the Doorsteps of India.