-National Herald Reports that at least 42 sadhus or holy men have been murdered in different districts in Uttar Pradesh have sent shockwaves through the state. In most cases they seem to have been killed by disciples The death of Mahant Narendra Giri, President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), and Mahant of Baghambri Gaddi Math in Prayagraj has opened a Pandora’s box. Sordid details of property, disproportionate assets, temple employees' lavish...

-The Hindu The Matuas became a significant political entity after the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, came into being On a sultry April day, Thakurnagar, the holy site of Matuas in the Bongaon sub-division of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district bordering Bangladesh, sizzles with banners of rival political parties asking for votes. As if indifferent to the ongoing political tension and the pandemic threat, a boisterous religious rally makes its way through...

-Suno India podcast/ TheWire.in   In conversation with Pia Oberoi, senior advisor on migration, UN Human Rights Office. A few days ago, the United Nations Human Rights Office issued a statement condemning the “fundamentally discriminatory” Citizenship (Amendment) Act. While welcoming the goal of protecting persecuted groups, the UN Body called out against the exclusion of Muslims including minority Sects. The statement pointed out that the new law “undermines” the commitment to equality enshrined in...

-The Hindu The Citizenship (Amendment) Act provides a path for citizenship to minorities (non-Muslims) from three Muslim majority nations - Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Data show that religious minorities, including Muslims, in other neighboring countries such as Myanmar, China and Sri Lanka also face persecution. In many countries, minority Sects within the majority religions (including Islam) are also persecuted. According to UN estimates, there are over 51 lakh international migrants in India...

-The Indian Express UN Human Rights office: "Although India's broader naturalization laws remain in place, these amendments will have a discriminatory effect on people's access to nationality." Amid protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the Human Rights office at the United Nations has expressed concern over the new law saying that it is “fundamentally discriminatory in nature”. “We are concerned that the new #CitizenshipAmendmentAct is fundamentally discriminatory in nature. Goal of protecting persecuted...