Narendra Modi
All topics-
Sufism and Bollywood
A glittering antidote
Bollywood pop songs are currently fostering an Indian Sufi revival. Adored by millions, the music, spearheaded by A. R. Rahman, promotes a message of love and tolerance in the tradition of the Islamic mystics. By Marian Brehmer
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Non-fiction: Pankaj Mishra's "Age of Anger"
The embittered majority
In his book "Age of Anger: the history of the present" the Indian author Pankaj Mishra sees global distortions as the result of a birth defect in European modernity. Stefan Weidner read the book
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Interview with identity politics expert Mujibur Rehman
"Muslims feel deeply unsafe in present-day India"
Known for his work on identity politics and political economy, Mujibur Rehman most recently published 'Communalism in postcolonial India′, which addresses the rise of religious fundamentalism in India. In Bonn to lecture on cow vigilantism, he spoke to Roma Rajpal Weiss about the situation of the sub-continent's Muslim minority
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"The Ministry of Utmost Happiness"
Novelist Arundhati Roy: "India is colonising itself"
Described as the "conscience of India" in Time's 2014 list of 100 most influential people, author Arundhati Roy has a voice that counts. Speaking in Berlin, she introduced her long-awaited second work of fiction. By Sabine Peschel
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Islam in India
Triple talaq: Goodbye and good riddance
India′s Supreme Court recently declared the Islamic practice of "instant divorce" to be anti-constitutional. The judges argued that since ″triple talaq″ is not an integral part of the Muslim faith, it is not subject to protection under the principle of religious freedom. Ronald Meinardus reports from New Delhi
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Muslim talaq law in India
Divorce by email
India's Supreme Court is currently considering the Muslim practice of instant divorce. The family law allows Muslim men to end their marriages by simply repeating the word "talaq" (Arabic for divorce) three times. But there is growing opposition to the practice. Ronald Meinardus reports from New Delhi
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Islamic divorce law in India
Trouncing triple talaq
Victims of what they regard as archaic family law, many of India's Muslims are fed up. With their cause now being championed, rather ironically, by the Hindu nationalist BJP, they are hoping for an end to what critics refer to as "religious apartheid″. By Ronald Meinardus
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India and Pakistan
Unable to bury the axe
Following the latest attack on an Indian military base in Kashmir, India and Pakistan have yet again locked horns over the disputed region. Now the Indian government says it wants to isolate its Islamic neighbour as a terrorist state. Report by Ronald Meinardus in New Delhi
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Interview with French-Indian author Shumona Sinha
″Looking for the truth″
Sinha′s novel ″Erschlagt die Armen!″ is based on her personal experience of working in a French agency where refugees apply for political asylum. Flying in the face of political correctness, the book has now won her a major literature prize. Interview by Sabine Peschel
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India and Islamic State
Everything under control?
India, the country with the largest Muslim minority, is forever issuing assurances that it remains unaffected by the deadly threat posed by IS. Only time will tell, however, whether the escalating confrontation seen by many as a symbolic struggle between the West and Islam continues to give the subcontinent a wide berth. An essay by Ronald Meinardus
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Muslims in India
Nothing like equal opportunities
Despite being India′s largest minority, the Muslim community is marginalised both economically and politically. Although Muslims are frequently targeted in acts of communal violence, the government and the population at large generally associate Islam with terrorism. Ghazala Jamil examines the quest of Indian Muslims for genuine participation and representation
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Hindus and Muslims in India
Why census data is a priority political issue
Years later than planned, the Indian government has finally released census data on religious affiliation. The published figures could be exploited by the country′s political parties for their own ends, thereby further straining relations between Hindus and Muslims. By Ronald Meinardus