The Taliban’s harsh new vice and virtue laws are a throwback to the oppression of the 1990s

Kambaiz Rafi Until the collapse of Afghanistan’s US-backed government in August 2021, few knew clearly what the Taliban wanted once they had returned to power. Some western officials and observers hoped for a big change from the regime, which had governed the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate in the 1990s. This time, they hoped, a more sophisticated and pragmatic vision might… Read More The Taliban’s harsh new vice and virtue laws are a throwback to the oppression of the 1990s

India and the End of Empire. Selected Writings of Daniel O’Connor

NB: The Rev Daniel O’Connor was pastor of St Stephen’s College during the years I was there, in the 1960’s. He and his dear wife Juliet befriended me and my comrades, at a time we were considered trouble-makers. They did not agree with our politics, but for all that, never withdrew their affection. One of… Read More India and the End of Empire. Selected Writings of Daniel O’Connor

Reaching out to Bangla Hindus, Muhammad Yunus visits temple, underlines equal rights

WITH THE Hindu minority in Bangladesh facing attacks in the last week, after Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister and fled to India on August 5, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, who is heading the interim government, reached out on Tuesday with a visit to the Dhakeshwari Temple where he met community leaders and assured “justice” and “equal rights” for… Read More Reaching out to Bangla Hindus, Muhammad Yunus visits temple, underlines equal rights

Bangladesh: Students Stand Guard Outside Temples and Churches in Wake of Attacks

In Chittagong city, student movement’s leaders have taken it upon themselves to guard Hindu temples and churches. With reports of Hindus in Bangladesh being targeted by radical Islamist elements in the backdrop of unrest, some Muslim leaders and student groups are being seen guarding temples and churches across the country. In Chittagong city, student movement’s… Read More Bangladesh: Students Stand Guard Outside Temples and Churches in Wake of Attacks

Academic research on Rushdie’s literary work sabotaged by Deoband Ulema / Resist the Climate of Intimidation in Academics

First posted April 25, 2012 NB: Over the past four months, the Deoband Ulema has contributed to the climate of intolerance and religious bigotry in India. First by opposing Rushdie’s presence at the Jaipur Literature Festival, and now by sabotaging a perfectly legitimate subject for research. In the first instance they succeeded by riding on the… Read More Academic research on Rushdie’s literary work sabotaged by Deoband Ulema / Resist the Climate of Intimidation in Academics

Khudai Khidmatgar team with Swami Raghvendraji, visited Haryana and Delhi

Khudai Khidmatgar team with Swami Raghvendra ji Maharaj, Founder Satya Dharma Samwaad visited Haryana and Delhi Many local Khudai Khidmatgar friends from Haryana and western UP who believe in social co-existence and understand constitutional duty to promote the unity and integrity of the Nation were worried and anxious about the recent controversial order to declare… Read More Khudai Khidmatgar team with Swami Raghvendraji, visited Haryana and Delhi

Encountering the Bhakt: Transformation in Religious Thought

Two examples from mediaeval Odisha’s bhakti tradition show how debates and differences about the sacred were part of devotional practice, and not forced onto us after the institutionalisation of modern, secular, and democratic visions… Each bhakt’s quest toward their own self, or own language, was a gesture to a universal appeal. ABINASH DASH CHOUDHURY Over… Read More Encountering the Bhakt: Transformation in Religious Thought

केदारनाथ धाम से 228 किलो सोना ग़ायब: शंकराचार्य अविमुक्तेश्वरानंद

Ravish Kumar: केदारनाथ धाम से 228 किलो सोना ग़ायब-शंकराचार्य 228 किलो सोना ग़ायब होने के आरोप के बाद क्या केंद्र सरकार जांच कराएगी? एक साल से सोना ग़ायब होने के आरोप लग रहे हैं। राज्य सरकार ने अपने स्तर पर जांच की है लेकिन शंकराचार्य ने नए सिरे से आरोप लगाकर इस मामले को नया… Read More केदारनाथ धाम से 228 किलो सोना ग़ायब: शंकराचार्य अविमुक्तेश्वरानंद

Culture and the Death of God: Terry Eagleton

First posted February 28, 2014 In Culture and the Death of God he deploys all his formidable skills to explain how the high hopes of many generations of secular materialists collapsed along with the twin towers. Culture and the Death of God – Terry Eagletonreviewed by Jonathan Rée Atheism is in trouble, according to Terry Eagleton. Throughout the 20th century it… Read More Culture and the Death of God: Terry Eagleton