Page 2 - Religious Freedom

UP govt orders removal of illegal loudspeakers from religious places

The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered for removal of illegal loudspeakers from religious places in the state, a senior official said on Monday.

Religious procession cannot be held without permission: UP CM Adityanath

With Eid festival and Akshaya Tritiya likely to fall on the same day next month and many other festivals lined up in the coming days, Adityanath said the police needs to be extra cautious

An Egyptian statue, the hijab debate, and a case for women in public space

Studies show that tribals, Muslims and Dalits have the highest proportion of poor. Equipping women in these communities to be employed is a societal good and an economic imperative, writes T N Ninan

Law should be made against wrongful religious conversions, says Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that a law should be made against religious conversions but nobody should be wrongly harassed

'Not request, but warning': VHP posters ban non-Hindus from Varanasi ghats

Posters banning the entry of non-Hindus to the Varanasai ghats along the Ganga appeared on the walls of buildings, which were reportedly pasted by activists of VHP and Bajrang Dal.

Karnataka government tables anti-conversion bill in assembly

The bill proposes protection of right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another

Muslim groups decide to hold Friday prayers in 18 places in Gurgaon

Muslim groups decided that the Friday prayers will be held at 12 places on the land of masjid, madarsa and Waqf Board, while on a temporary basis it will also be offered at six places for a few days

China rejects US allegations of violation of religious freedom

China slammed the US for designating it along with Pakistan and others as 'countries of particular concern' for the violation of religious freedom

Karnataka govt seriously considering law against religious conversion

The Karnataka government is seriously considering bringing in a law against religious conversion either by force or through inducement in the state, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Tuesday. "Such things (conversions) are happening here and there. Couple of days ago I gave appropriate directions to district administrations not to allow any religious conversion through inducement or by force, as it is illegal," Bommai said in response to a question on alleged incidents of religious conversions in Kalaburagi and Byadarahalli here. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "as several such incidents are happening, we are seriously considering a law against religious conversion through inducement or by force." State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra had last week told the legislative assembly that the government was mulling enacting a law to regulate religious conversion, as a ruling BJP MLA from Hosadurga Goolihatti Shekhar said his own mother has converted to Christianity falling prey .

Biden nominates Indian-American as 1st Muslim religious freedom ambassador

Rashad Hussain is Director for Partnerships and Global Engagement at the National Security Council.

India's pledge of good behaviour

Its endorsement of the G7's Open Societies Statement will give the world a larger say in human rights violations in the country

US condemns China's sanctions against former USCIRF Commissioner: Blinken

China has imposed sanctions on former US Commission on International Religious Freedom Commissioner Johnnie Moore

UP Assembly passes bill on religious conversion amid opposition protests

The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2021 seeks to replace the ordinance promulgated in November last year

UNGA adopts resolution to safeguard religious sites across the world

The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution to promote a culture of peace and tolerance to safeguard religious sites

MP cabinet approves Religious Freedom Bill; up to 10 yrs jail for violators

After the approval by the cabinet, the bill will now be presented in the state Assembly

US names Pak, China as nations of concern for religious freedom violations

The US has designated Pakistan and China among eight other countries that are of particular concern for violation of religious freedom, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said

Covid vaccine: Why public health interests may outweigh religious freedom

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils also signalled its "profound concern" over the use of foetal tissue in vaccine development.

Faith and freedom

US report on religious rights is a moment of truth for India

USCIRF names India among 'countries of particular concern'; MEA pans report

USCIRF alleges that in 2019, religious freedom conditions in India experienced a drastic turn downward, with religious minorities under increasing assault

US announces launch of International Religious Freedom Alliance

Among the prominent countries to join the alliance are Austria, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Israel, Ukraine, the Netherlands and Greece.