UnwelcomeUttarakhand Hindu Group Booked for Banning Non‑Hindus From Local Temples "Why are they trying to favor the Muslims like this?" members of the Hindu Yuva Vahini said, in response to the FIR. By Satviki Sanjay
Thou Shalt NotVatican Refuses To Bless Same‑Sex Marriages, Calling Them a ‘Sin’ These unions are “a choice and a way of life that cannot be recognized" by God, a statement approved by Pope Francis said. By Satviki Sanjay
Nationalism UnveiledBurqas a Sign of “Religious Extremism,” Says Sri Lankan Government, Proposes Burqa Ban The move comes at a time "when the Muslim community has been constantly targeted," activists say. By Satviki Sanjay
Intent Is ImportantReligious Sentiments Can Be Hurt Only By Specific Intent, Rules Tripura Court The court's ruling referenced Section 295A, which had recently been invoked in the arrest of comedian Munawar Faruqui. By Devrupa Rakshit
Another One Bites The BiasMadhya Pradesh Becomes Second State to Pass ‘Love Jihad’ Bill The legislation was passed amid chants of "Jai Shri Ram" in the Assembly. By Aditi Murti
Masked BiasIn Swiss Referendum, 51.2% of Voters Supported Ban on Face Coverings, Including Burqa, in Public Places “What is aimed here is to stigmatize and marginalize Muslims even more." By Saumya Kalia
A History of FaithTell Me More: Talking Muslim Identity In India With Ghazala Wahab "If you live with prejudice that's so commonplace, to the point where people aren't even aware of how irrational their bias is, it threatens all aspects of your life." By Aditi Murti
Cultural Appropriation?The Buzz Cut: Who Gets to Wear Ganesha Jewellery? Rihanna Dares Indians to Answer Plus, why Greta Thunberg is really not out to attack India's tea. By Rajvi Desai
Deflecting BiasCaste Surnames Should Not Be Revealed in Civil Services Interview, Government Report Says The report also recommended the private sector implement reservations for SC and ST communities. By Satviki Sanjay
Right To ChooseInter‑Caste Marriages Could Help Ease Communal Tensions, Supreme Court Says Consent of the family, community, or clan is not necessary for two consenting adults to get married, SC adds. By Devrupa Rakshit
Embracing Their DifferencesPyaar Aur Parivartan — Two Interfaith Love Stories From Bundelkhand Khabar Lahariya reports on how interfaith love is thriving in times of increasing intolerance. By Khabar Lahariya
Stranger Than FictionSC Denies Plea to Protect ‘Tandav’ Creators From Arrest, Rules “You Cannot Hurt Religious Sentiments” Even in Fiction "[The show] is a political satire. If people are so sensitive … then art, cinema, TV, all will be destroyed,” argued counsel for the show's creators. By Satviki Sanjay
There Are Better Things To DoSouth Delhi Passes Mandate for Restaurants, Butcher Shops to Label Meat as Halal or Jhatka Restaurateurs and meat shopkeepers say the unnecessary measure will only sow communal division. By Satviki Sanjay
Moral HealthMuslim Clerics Around the World Are Working to Certify Covid19 Vaccines as Halal A rumor that the Chinese vaccine contains pork-derived gelatin has prompted clerics to fast-track halal approval in the name of public health. By Rajvi Desai
Warping The LawComedian Munawar Faruqui Didn’t Make Anti‑Hindu Statements, Say Police. So Why Was He Arrested in the First Place? Section 295-A was meant to prevent communal discord; now, it's being used to foment it. By Aditi Murti
Lies and PropagandaUP Police Investigation of ‘Love Jihad’ Concludes What We Already Know — It Doesn’t Exist The myth of love jihad dates to the 1920s -- but recent political and internet outrage over the made-up phenomenon proves India can't shake its communalism. By Aditi Murti
Long Live The PopeWill the Pope’s Support for Same‑Sex Civil Unions Mean Greater Acceptance for LGBTQ+ People? "It is late but at least it happened. I think it will help our fight. ... I hope this is a new chapter that is beginning," a Polish activist says. By Devrupa Rakshit
Sex PositivityPope Francis Says Sex Is a Pleasure That Arrives ‘Directly From God’ He condemned the Catholic church’s “overzealous morality” in the past. By Rajvi Desai