Joyous Celebrations Turned Dire: Being a Christian in Segregated India
Increasing Persecution French philosopher Voltaire once said, “If you have two religions in your land, they will cut each other’s throats; but if you have thirty religions, they will dwell in peace.” The Holidays are a time for celebration, a time for festivities, and, most importantly, a time for families …
When Religion Decides Politics: Is This Titanomachy?
The Current State Of Politics ‘Loyalty to the country – always. Loyalty to the government – only when it deserves it.’ These wise words of Mark Twain come to us when we think of the situation of Indian politics in today’s world. While the current central government has undertaken some …
Time To Stop Hate Crime Headlines Is Overdue: Muslim Man Brutally Murdered
Among the myriad of headlines in India about various issues, hate crimes against Muslims seem to be increasing and becoming regularized in society and news headlines. Yet Another Hate Crime The most recent and tragic event of hate crime against a man because of his religious views occurred a couple …
[Video] Hindustani Musalmaan By Hussain Haidry
“With the new President of the United States, Donald Trump’s openly anti-Muslim stand, the rise of ISIS and the widespread Islamophobia around the world, being a Muslim comes with its own set of stereotypes and challenges. In this goosebumps-inducing, powerful poem titled “Hindustani Musalmaan”, Hussain Haidry echoes his sentiments about …
Not in My Name: The Campaign That Was and Its Cultural Implications
Recently we had more than 100 defense veterans writing to the Prime minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, saying that they were in support of the ‘Not in my Name’ campaign and further adding that they condemned the act of targeting Muslims and Dalits in the name of protecting Hinduism. What is …
Babri Masjid: Not Just an Issue, The Other Face of Indian Society
Politics, pride, and people; Babri Masjid, just an another case to satisfy commitment; flexible, towards religion Babri Masjid; this name needs no introduction, a case risen up from religious sentiments to pride; individual, societal and political, is once again ready to be served before the Supreme Court, hearing scheduled from December 5 …
Shani Temple Controversy: Why Are Women Considered ‘Impious?’
What Was The Controversy? In January this year, a group of four hundred odd women belonging to the Bhumata Ranragini brigade, led by Trupti Desai, a 31-year old housewife, attempted to break a tradition no one woman had ever dared of doing before. They tried to barge into the Shani Shingnapur …
Dress Codes At Religious Places: Personal Choice or Requirement?
Introduction Recently the Madras High Court passed a verdict that from the year 2016, all temples should have a certain dress code for their devotees. From January 1, all men entering a temple in Tamil Nadu will have to either wear a dhoti and upper clothing or formal pant and shirts, …
‘Plastic Cow’ Becomes an Issue of Intolerance
Background of the Incident Last Saturday, two artists were detained by the police, after a controversy erupted regarding their plastic cow installation at the Third Summit of Jaipur Art Summit at the Jawahar Kala Kendra(JKK) in Jaipur. Why was the artwork misinterpreted? The cow had been suspended fifty feet high …
‘Plastic Cow’ Becomes an Issue of Intolerance
Background of the Incident Last Saturday, two artists were detained by the police, after a controversy erupted regarding their plastic cow installation at the Third Summit of Jaipur Art Summit at the Jawahar Kala Kendra(JKK) in Jaipur. Why was the artwork misinterpreted? The cow had been suspended fifty feet high …