Religion

GUWAHATI: Talk of repealing the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, which prohibits conversion from one religious faith to any other by use of force, inducement or fraudulent means, has sparked a debate in the BJP-ruled northeastern state. The controversy started last month, when CM Pema Khandu said the act would be brought before the next assembly session for repeal because it could be misused. Elections are scheduled in Arunachal next year, with the term of the assembly ending in April. The anti-conversion law “could undermine secularism and is probably targeted towards Christians,” Khandu said at a function organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Karsingsa. Tribal groups in the state are against repealing the act. The Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) and the Nyishi Indigenous Faiths and Cultural Society said talk of a repeal amounts to minority appeasement. … [Read more...] about Row over talks to ‘end’ act against forced conversion

 Cast: John Abraham, Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishen Direction: Nikkhil Advani Rating: ** & 1/2 (two and half stars) In various interviews, the "Batla House" team has declared that their film is an attempt to seek definite answers to questions that still remain, regarding the alleged Batla House encounter in Delhi's Okhla area that happened in the aftermath of the 2008 serial blasts. Ironically, in a crucial courtroom scene of the climax, when the defence and prosecution are arguing to establish the guilt or innocence of a key suspect, an announcement appears on the screen stating that the filmmakers "do not endorse the viewpoint of either party". You realise at that point where the problem with the film lies. Like most other mainstream Bollywood efforts claiming to bare truths, "Batla House", too, is hesitant when it comes to bluntly stating facts. When it does take a stand in the end, the film seems almost apologetic to do so – the protagonist doles out a lecture on … [Read more...] about Batla House Movie REVIEW: Facts Messed Up By Fiction

No one imagined that this could happen to Chennai. We were just a happy little town content with our Kollywood and Coffee, but humanity has won over once again, says Pavithra Selvam.The rains have finally stopped. Relief work is ongoing and Chennai is collectively pooling in its resources to keep its head above the water. Today Chennai-ites are wading through sewage water and broken roads to reach out to strangers in the hope that someone else would do the same to their loved ones. In a matter of few weeks we've literally seen our city crumble and drown in front of our eyes. Tamil Sangam literature is rife with references of floods washing away the mythical lands of 'Kumari Kaandam' -- it somehow feels like history is repeating itself.  I write this not as a victim, but as a witness to a catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude. I write this to tell our story. I write this so that our voices can be heard. I write this from a position of privilege that I feel guilty for possessing -- … [Read more...] about Chennai’s story needs to be heard

The Supreme Court of India struck down Section 66A of the IT Act on Tuesday, deeming it 'unconstitutional'.Section 66A prescribed the punishment for sending 'offensive' messages through computers or any other communication device such as a mobile phone or a tablet, and a conviction could fetch a maximum of three years in jail. In light of the end of this draconian section, Rediff.com looks back at some of the cases in which the act was used to muzzle opinion. Aseem Trivedi was arrested for drawing cartoons that mocked Parliament. Cartoonist: Free speech campaigner Trivedi was arrested by the Mumbai police for displaying cartoons on his website and Facebook page that mocked Parliament and corruption in high places. The caricatures were shared on other social media forums. Trivedi's cartoons purportedly depicted Parliament as a giant commode and showed the national emblem with wolves instead of lions. Apart from Section 66(A) of the IT Act, he was charged with sedition under Section … [Read more...] about When IT Act’s Sec 66A was used to muzzle free speech

WASHINGTON: The philosophy and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev echoed in the corridors of the US Capitol as powerful American lawmakers and eminent Indian-Americans celebrated the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism and underscored that his principles were more relevant today than ever before.Republican Senator from Indiana Todd Young, who introduced a resolution in the Senate on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, said the Sikh Americans had succeeded in making a profound impact across the US because they followed the teachings of the first Sikh Guru.“While radical for his day some 500 years ago, the teachings of the first Sikh guru who we celebrate today were consistent with our nation’s founding principles and teaching that everyone, regardless of gender, regardless of class, regardless of creed, everyone has been created equal,” Young said.In his address to a Capitol Hill event organised by the Indian embassy to celebrate the … [Read more...] about Principles of Guru Nanak Dev more relevant today, say US lawmakers on Gurpurb