Umrah: A piligrimage at the cost of a leisure trip

The increasing package costs for Umrah have made it inaccessible for many Muslims across the country. Yakub Ali, a resident of a small town called Sankrail, about 22 kilometres away from West Bengal’s capital city Kolkata, decided to take his family of four, on a 15-day Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca in late December. It was […]

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Need for gender-neutral infrastructure in schools

NCERT’s new curriculum mandates gender neutrality but schools don’t implement them because they say that there is a lack of trans students.  The transgender community in the city wants more focus on basic facilities in school like separate toilets, qualified teachers, and sensitizing students about the subject of the trans community to make education for […]

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Migrant workers: Lost in Bengaluru’s healthcare system

Migrant workers find it difficult to avail the welfare board schemes in Bengaluru as waiting periods are long. Moreover, many labourers are unaware of the healthcare system in Karnataka and often resort to self-treatment. Bengaluru might be a medical tourist spot for the middle and upper class, but for the poor labourers migrating from in […]

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Government schemes out of reach for devadasis

Devadasis whose names are not on the 15-year-old survey list are not able to avail government schemes. Devadasis that were inducted into the devadasi system in the past 15 years are missing out on the benefits of government schemes. Only devadasis whose names are on the survey list are able to avail these schemes. The […]

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Men wearing makeup is the ‘new normal’

From Harry Styles and Ranveer Singh to ordinary men, men are embracing makeup, sarees, skirts, jewellery and painted nails. Bengaluru: Paati Purohit, a Gender Consultant at JSW Foundation, Vijaynagar said social media is helping men to normalize breaking gender stereotypes. She said that social media influencers and, feminist and LGBTQIA activists’ accounts have made it […]

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Notice on loudspeakers leave religious preachers tense

Police said that places of worship did not need permission to use loudspeakers before. Shivaskanda stands calmly in front of the Balambika temple in the heart of bustling Shivajinagar. The area, known for its noisy markets, has a variety of temples, mosques, and churches. He is the third generation in his family to take care […]

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The Christian welfare association condemns Muthalik’s allegations

The allegations of forced conversion have no basis, they said. Bangalore: Freedom Park, a venue for numerous political and social demonstrations, saw an infusion of bishops and priests on Wednesday. The Karnataka Christian Social Welfare Association is protesting against allegations made by Rashtriya Hindu Sena chief Pramod Muthalik. Previously, Muthalik had claimed that the association […]

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Kannada bridging gaps between communities at Jamia Masjid

Kannada teaching workshop for women teachers by Federation of Muslim Educational Institutes in Yeshwanthpur. Bengaluru:In an effort to bring the communities together and promote harmony amidst the current tension in Karnataka, Federation of Muslim Educational Institutes (FMEI) and All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) organised a Kannada teaching workshop at Jamia Masjid in Yeshwanthpur. M. […]

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Azan issue not new: Shivajinagar residents

Residents say the azaan (prayer) loudspeaker issue has become more intense in recent times.   Everybody kneels in unison, as the imam (priest) recites azaan (prayer) in a Bengaluru mosque—his voice echoes on the speakers, for the city to hear.  After finishing their prayer, they stand up and greet each other as they slowly disperse […]

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Rumours stay rumours: No Muslim shopkeeper targeted

There were rumours about people not buying mangoes and meat from Muslim sellers in several Bengaluru markets. “Politicians and their games. Sitting in power and doing nothing”—these were the words from one of the Muslim mango sellers from the Mango market on Jayachamrajendra (JC) road. “I have not faced any business loss over my religion. […]

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