Religious Freedom News - Latest Updates & Headlines
West Bengal: Students organize Ram Navami puja on Jadavpur University campus, defying ban by administration
Kolkata, April 6: Defying administrative restrictions, students at Jadavpur University went ahead and celebrated Ram Navami on campus on Sunday. A special puja was organized by the General Students Union after the university administration allegedly denied permission, citing the Vice Chancellor's absence.
AIMPLB condemns Waqf Bill as 'attack on Islamic values', announces protests
New Delhi, April 5: All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill passed by Parliament. The outfit has claimed that it severely ‘threatens Islamic values, Shariah, and the core principles of the Indian Constitution’. The AIMPLB has declared its intention to launch a nationwide protest campaign, asserting that these amendments undermine the rights and freedoms of Muslims in the country.
Students allegedly denied permission to celebrate Ram Navami in Jadavpur University
Kolkata, April 5: The students at Jadavpur University in Kolkata were allegedly denied permission to celebrate Ram Navami on the university campus. According to the students, the reason behind the denial of permission was the vice chancellor's absence.
Blatantly unconstitutional, undermines right to freedom of religion: Kharge on Waqf Amendment Bill
New Delhi, April 2: Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday alleged that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill undermines the right to freedom of Religion and is unconstitutional.
'Intervene to protect Muslims': MK Stalin urges PM Modi to withdraw Waqf (Amendment) Bill
Chennai, April 2: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene to protect the rights of Muslims and withdraw the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, currently under discussion in the Lok Sabha.
US State Department declines to comment on USCIRF's recommendation to place India on CPC list
Washington, DC, April 1: US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Monday (local time) declined to comment on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom's (USCIRF) annual report, which recommends placing India on the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list.
USCIRF report 2025 highlights China as major religious freedom violator
Washington DC, March 28: The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has classified China once again in its 2025 report as one of the leading offenders of religious freedom globally.
USCIRF should be designated as entity of concern: MEA slams US panel's religious freedom report
New Delhi, March 26: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) should be designated as an entity of concern and noted that the USCIRF 2025 Annual Report "once again continues its pattern of issuing biased and politically motivated assessments.
USCIRF should be designated as an entity of concern: MEA
New Delhi, March 26: Trashing the latest United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report, India on Wednesday once again urged the US agency - "that should be designated as an entity of concern" - to desist from its agenda-driven efforts by misrepresenting facts and peddling a motivated narrative.
IHCNBT asserts sacredness of Dalai Lama's reincarnation, rejects external interference
New Delhi, March 21: The Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) has issued a resolute statement affirming their unwavering respect for the reincarnation process of the Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, emphasizing that it should remain free from any external interference.
South Korea calls for immediate release of three missionaries detained in North Korea following UN report
Seoul, March 14: The South Korean unification ministry on Friday called for the immediate and unconditional release of three South Korean missionaries held in North Korea, following the United Nations' adoption of a report demanding their release.
Tibetan Govt-in-Exile President slams China over Dalai Lama reincarnation claims, calls it 'blasphemous'
Dharamshala, March 14: Tibetan Government-in-Exile President Penpa Tsering has strongly criticised the Chinese government's recent statement on the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama, calling it a "blasphemous statement."
Successor to be born in 'free world', not China, Dalai Lama says
Dharamshala, March 12: Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, emphasised that his successor would be born in the "free world," referring to areas outside of China, as reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Arunachal govt should notify rules of Religious Freedom Act: Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram
Kolkata/Itanagar, March 11: The Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (ABVKA) on Tuesday demanded that the Arunachal Pradesh government notify the rules of Religious Freedom Act, 1978 immediately and ensure its strict implementation to stop conversions based on greed, pressure and fraudulent means.
Arunachal CM reiterates to implement Anti-Conversion Law
Itanagar, March 8: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said on Saturday that the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978 would be implemented as the Gauhati High Court (Itanagar Bench) has ordered the state government to frame the rules to implement the law.
Christians hold peaceful dharna against anti-conversion law in Arunachal
Itanagar, March 6: Thousands of people under the banner of the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) held a peaceful dharna near Itanagar in protest against the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, an anti-conversion law.
Mayawati blasts decision to remove loudspeakers from religious places
Lucknow, March 4: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday criticised the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to remove unauthorised loudspeakers from religious places during Ramzan, urging authorities to treat all religions equally and without bias.
Arunachal Freedom of Religion Act: Christian forum's meeting with state HM remains inconclusive
Itanagar, Feb 21: Amid the ongoing agitation against the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978 by the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), top leaders of the convention on Friday held its first meeting with the state’s Home Minister Mama Natung which, however, remained inconclusive.
Arunachal 1978 anti-conversion law: Christian Forum to meet state Home Minister tomorrow
Itanagar, Feb 20: Amidst the ongoing agitation against the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978 by the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), top leaders of the Forum would meet state's Home Minister Mama Natung on Friday to discuss their issue, officials said on Thursday.
Arunachal: Christians hold hunger strike against 1978 anti-conversion law
Itanagar, Feb 17: Members of the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) on Monday observed an eight-hour-long hunger strike to protest against the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978.
Arunachal Christian body to hold hunger strike against 1978 anti-conversion law
Itanagar, Feb 16: Members of the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) will observe an eight-hour-long hunger strike on Monday to protest against the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978.
Donald Trump signs executive orders sanctioning ICC and addressing 'anti-Christian bias'
Washington DC, February 7: US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders, one imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and another addressing what he called "anti-Christian bias," CNN reported.
Arunachal Christian body to launch stir against 46-year-old anti-conversion law
Itanagar, Feb 6: The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), an apex Christian body in the border state, on Thursday announced to launch series of protests against the state BJP government's move to implement a 46-year-old anti-conversion law.
Attending Maha Kumbh personal belief, BJP politicising religion, faith, and rituals, says Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Feb 5: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday hit back at the BJP over its criticism of his proposed visit to the Maha Kumbh, accusing it of using religion, rituals, and faith for its political motives, while highlighting faith, rituals, and beliefs related to any religion are personal matters of individuals.
K'taka to decide on allowing Class 10 girls to wear hijab for exams; convey decision to SC
Bengaluru, Feb 5: Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated on Wednesday that the government will hold a meeting to decide whether to allow Class 10 students in the state to wear the hijab while attending exams and will convey its stance to the Supreme Court.
Rajasthan introduces new Bill in Assembly to curb unlawful religious conversions
Jaipur, Feb 3: The Bhajan Lal Sharma-led Bharatiya Janata Party government tabled the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025, in the ongoing Budget Session of the Assembly on Monday.
Assam CM vows to protect Jain monks' procession amid protests by certain groups
Guwahati, Feb 1: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday that any attempt to impede the community's pious customs will be met with firmness amid protests against a religious parade in Jorhat town that was led by Jain monks.
Reflects deeply troubling mindset against Sanatan Dharma: Assam CM on Kharge's remarks on Mahakumbh
Guwahati, January 28: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday criticised the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks on Mahakumbh and said that his statement is "unprecedented" and reflects a "deeply troubling mindset" against Sanatan Dharma.
Trump will be a friend of Hindu Americans, all Americans, former spiritual advisor to Trump
Davos, January 22: Johnnie Moore, former spiritual advisor to Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke about religious freedom as a priority for the Trump 2.0 administration, the issue of Khalistan, revised immigration policies and how India-US ties would progress under Donald Trump's administration.
UN human rights experts urge China to address human rights violations in Tibet and East Turkestan
Dharamshala, January 22: The United Nations (UN) human rights experts have sent a letter to the Chinese government, expressing serious concerns about ongoing human rights abuses in Tibet and East Turkestan, as reported by Tibet.net.
Bangladesh: Bail hearing of Hindu priest Chinmoy Brahmmachari likely to be held next week
Dhaka, January 20: Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmmachari, the spokesperson of Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jote, has applied for bail in the High Court in the sedition case on the charge of insulting the national flag of Bangladesh, a lawyer said on Monday.
Rayhan E Asat appeals to Elon Musk for support in her brother's injustice case
New York, January 8: Rayhan E Asat, a human rights lawyer, has called on Elon Musk to help raise awareness and advocate for the release of her brother, Ekpar Asat, a prominent Uyghur tech entrepreneur whom Chinese authorities have imprisoned.
Activist highlights Chinese restrictions during meeting with Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile
Dharamshala, January 8: Gyalo, a prominent Tibetan activist, educational sociologist, and expert on China's assimilation policies in Tibet, visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in Dharamshala and highlighted several Chinese threats to Tibet, as per Central Tibetan Administration.
Sambhal is as holy as our four Dhams: Adv Ashwani Upadhyay on Sambhal
Sambhal January 5: Advocate Ashwani Upadhyay has firmly addressed issues surrounding the Waqf Act, the reopening of the Sambhal Temple, and the broader concerns related to Sanatan Dharma.