religious freedom

New Delhi, March 16 India categorically rejected on Monday a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which called for linking Washington's security assistance and bilateral trade to improvements in New Delhi's record on religious freedom.In its report, USCIRF...

March 16, New Delhi – India has rejected the latest report released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), calling its observations biased and motivated.In response to media queries regarding the 2026 Annual Report of the United States Commission on...

Mumbai, March 16 – The proposed anti-conversion law in Maharashtra is not directed against any particular religion, and it aims only to prevent religious conversions carried out through force, fraud or inducement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative assembly on Monday.The...

New Delhi, March 16 – India on Monday dismissed the annual report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), stating that the US religious freedom watchdog has consistently presented a distorted and selective picture of India for several years, relying on...

Srinagar, March 16 Authorities in Kashmir closed the historic Jamia Masjid here on Monday for congregational prayers on the occasion of Shab-e-Qadr, officials said.The grand mosque in the Nowhatta locality of the city was closed for the night-long Shab-e-Qadr (night of forgiveness) prayers...

Mumbai, March 16 – The proposed anti-conversion law in Maharashtra is not directed against any particular religion, and it aims only to prevent religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, or inducement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative assembly on Monday.The...

FGN38: UK-STARMER-2NDLD WASIAUK won't be drawn into 'wider war': PM StarmerLondon: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that he will not allow the UK to be drawn into a "wider war" in the Middle East, asserting that he is working with European allies to develop a "viable plan" to...

New York, March 16 A US federal government commission has raised concerns about the alleged worsening of religious freedom in India and called for it to be designated as a "Country of Particular Concern."There have been no immediate comments from India on the report issued by the US Commission...

Mumbai, March 16 – Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the state government's move to introduce the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill on Monday, which aims to curb unlawful religious conversions within the state.He stated that the Bill was presented in response to several...

Islamabad, March 16 The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged the US government to redesignate Pakistan as a 'Country of Particular Concern' (CPC), due to its systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, as defined by the...

Kohima, March 16 Thousands of students and citizens, under the banner of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), staged a rally here on Monday, protesting the Centre's directive to the state government, which mandates the singing of "Vande Mataram" during official functions and in educational...

Chennai, March 15 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday claimed that even Christians were unable to celebrate Christmas peacefully in BJP-ruled states.Referring to a recent comment made by the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Muslims, Stalin said he did not want to demean...

Dhaka, March 15. India has repeatedly raised concerns with Bangladeshi authorities regarding the safety of minority communities, and expects thorough investigations and accountability. However, the responsibility for ensuring the protection of all citizens lies with the government of Bangladesh...

Moga (Punjab), March 14 Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that a law banning religious conversions will be brought in Punjab if the BJP forms the government in the state after the 2027 Assembly polls.Addressing a "badlav" (change) rally here, Shah raised the issue of religious...

Prayagraj, March 14 Rejecting an order by the Uttar Pradesh government restricting the number of people offering prayers at a mosque in the Sambhal district due to law and order issues, the Allahabad High Court has said that the Superintendent of Police and Collector should either resign or seek...

Islamabad, March 14 – Pakistan is using its counter-terrorism department to tighten its grip on the local Shia community, arresting dozens of Shia student protesters and charging them with terrorism. The Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), where Shias form the majority population, has...

Prayagraj, March 14 – The Allahabad High Court has strongly criticized the authorities of Uttar Pradesh for restricting the number of worshippers offering Namaz during Ramadan in the Sambhal district, stating that if officials feel incapable of maintaining law and order, they should "resign from...

Mumbai, March 13 The Devendra Fadnavis government on Friday introduced the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 in the state assembly, which has stringent provisions to prohibit religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement, or marriage.According to the Bill, those...

Mumbai, March 13 – The state government on Friday introduced the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, to curb religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, or inducement.The Bill proposes to protect the right to freedom of religion and the prohibition of unlawful conversion...

Srinagar, March 13 – The management of the Jama Masjid in J&K’s Srinagar stated that authorities had disallowed Friday congregational prayers at the mosque and placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest.Traditionally, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivers the sermon on the last Friday of the holy...