religious freedom

Ayodhya, February 23 – Responding to the Taliban’s new penal code concerning atrocities against women and children in Afghanistan, spiritual leaders on Monday condemned the move, saying they are deeply saddened by the cruelty inflicted on mothers, women, and children in the name of religion...

Thane, February 23 More than 51 lakh students from across the Konkan region of Maharashtra participated in a mass singing program on Monday as part of events to mark the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, according to a Thane district official.In a press release, the...

Islamabad, February 22 – A Pakistani Christian brick kiln worker’s forced conversion to Islam, which is recorded in the country’s national database, has prevented his five children from listing Christianity as their religion on their national identity cards.“Sufyan Masih, who works at a kiln...

Colombo, February 21 A segment of the influential Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka has criticized the government over what they termed an "organized campaign being run by vested interests to defame Buddhism," the majority religion, and its monks.Issuing a 10-point ultimatum, the monks said the...

Prayagraj, February 21 The Allahabad High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against two students accused of offering prayers at a place prohibited by the local administration.A single judge bench of Justice Saurabh Srivastava set aside the proceedings arising out of an FIR registered...

Thiruvananthapuram, February 20 MSF, the student wing of Congress ally IUML, called for a boycott of "Kerala Story 2" on Friday, but questioned a "beef festival" being organized by the SFI to protest the film.C K Najaf, the state general secretary of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF)...

New Delhi, February 20 The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking a direction to prevent the construction, establishment, or naming of any mosque or religious structure in the name of Mughal emperor Babur or Babri Masjid.After a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep...

Lucknow, February 19 The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday clarified its position on announcements from mosques during Ramadan for 'sehri' and 'iftar', stating that the practice dates back to a time when clocks were not widely used, and that the Supreme Court orders regarding the use of...

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), February 19 – Religious leaders in Ayodhya have strongly condemned recent remarks made by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani in response to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statements on intensifying efforts for the "return home" of those who wish to do so. They...

Dhaka, February 18 – In his inaugural address to the nation, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman pledged to strengthen the rule of law and ensure a safe and secure environment for all citizens, regardless of their background or beliefs.Rahman, a 60-year-old leader, emphasized the importance of...

Dhaka, February 18 Bangladesh's newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman vowed to strengthen the rule of law on Wednesday and said his government would turn the country into a safe land for people of all faiths, regardless of party, opinion, religion, or ethnicity.In his maiden televised...

New Delhi, February 18 The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for final hearing pleas challenging the validity of certain provisions of a 1991 law, which prohibits filing a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947.A...

New Delhi, February 18 The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the Chhattisgarh government's response to a plea alleging the exhumation and forced reburial of bodies of tribal Christians in villages there.The court also restrained any further exhumation.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep...

Islamabad, February 18 – A Pakistani court has rejected bail for a blind Christian man accused of blasphemy, despite apparent discrepancies in the police report and prosecution testimonies, local media reported, quoting his lawyer.The case adds to ongoing concerns over the misuse of blasphemy...

Washington, February 17 – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended greetings to Tibetans worldwide on the occasion of Losar and announced the designation of a senior official as the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues."I extend my warmest wishes to all those celebrating...

Johannesburg, February 17 South Africa's Hindu and Muslim organizations have united in objecting to a proposed law that could delay cremations and burials for several days, requiring the obtaining of electronic death certificates beforehand.Traditionally, cremations and burials are performed...

Prayagraj, February 17 The Allahabad High Court has issued contempt notices to the district magistrate and SSP of Bareilly for allegedly preventing certain individuals, including the petitioner, from offering prayers inside a private property belonging to the latter.A two-judge bench...

New Delhi, February 16 The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition challenging the Chhattisgarh High Court order in a matter related to hoardings that allegedly prohibit the entry of pastors and converted Christians in some villages in the state.The high court had disposed of two separate...

New Delhi, February 16 The Supreme Court on Monday announced that a nine-judge bench will begin hearing petitions related to discrimination against women in religious places, including the Sabarimala Temple, and on the scope of religious freedom practiced by various faiths, starting on April 7...

Thiruvananthapuram, February 16 The Left government in Kerala said on Monday that the issue of women entering Sabarimala is one involving several constitutional complexities, and therefore, a suitable position would be taken through discussions.Clarifying the government's stance, state Law...