7 Pivotal Religion & Faith Stories for Indians

This media monitoring report delivers seven essential stories on news on religion and faith from India's print media landscape. According to Press Monitor's tracking of Indian publications, these pivotal developments shape the conversation around faith, law, and society in modern India, offering critical media intelligence and print media monitoring insights.

1. Chhattisgarh HC Nullifies Sharia Divorce

A front-page report in New Indian Express says that the Chhattisgarh High Court ruled that Sharia Courts and Dar-ul-Qaza possess no legal jurisdiction or statutory authority to dissolve marriages or alter marital status in India. The judgment was delivered by Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad in response to a writ petition by Raipur-based woman Nirosh Abbasi, who challenged an order from the Idara-E-Shariya Islami Court declaring her marriage to Mohd Abid Khan as dissolved. The court ruled that religious tribunals cannot issue binding orders altering civil or marital rights.

A defining ruling by the Chhattisgarh High Court has declared that Sharia courts and Dar-ul-Qaza bodies have no legal authority to dissolve marriages or alter marital status in India. This judgment, delivered by Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad, sets a critical precedent for religious arbitration in the country.

Why it matters: The ruling directly impacts Muslim women's rights and challenges the growing influence of extra-judicial religious tribunals. It affirms that only civil courts can determine marital status under Indian law.

Key detail: The order nullified a January 2022 divorce decree issued by the Idara-E-Shariya Islami Court in Raipur, which had declared 38-year-old Nirosh Abbasi divorced by triple talaq.

Source: New Indian Express, Morning Standard, Deccan Herald, Asian Age, The Pioneer, Deccan Chronicle, Times of India, Free Press Journal

Next step: Legal experts expect this ruling to influence similar cases across other states, potentially triggering a broader review of religious tribunal authority.

2. Eiffel Tower Staff Strike Over BAPS Delegation Visit

A front-page report in Times of India says the Eiffel Tower temporarily closed after staff struck over arrangements made during a Hindu religious delegation's visit. Workers claimed female employees were relocated or replaced by men, sparking union grievances. French officials and the site operator condemned the setup, upholding national gender equality standards.

The Eiffel Tower temporarily closed after staff went on strike over arrangements made during a Hindu religious delegation's visit. Workers alleged that female employees were relocated or replaced by men, sparking union grievances that drew international attention.

Why it matters: The incident has ignited a global debate on gender equality and religious accommodation at public landmarks, raising questions about how cultural events intersect with workplace rights.

Key detail: French officials and the site operator condemned the setup, upholding national gender equality standards. The delegation was in France for celebrations surrounding the inauguration of a major Hindu temple at Bussy-Saint-Georges, a suburb of Paris.

Source: Times of India

Next step: The Eiffel Tower reopened after the strike, but the underlying tensions around gender and religious representation at public sites remain unresolved.

3. BAPS Eiffel Visit Sparks Investigation

A front-page report in Tribune says that on 18 July 2026 a private visit to the Eiffel Tower by a BAPS delegation sparked an investigation after allegations that women were denied access. The incident occurred during celebrations for the inauguration of a Hindu temple in Bussy-Saint-Georges, a suburb of Paris, and has ignited a debate over gender equality and religious accommodation at public sites.

A private visit to the Eiffel Tower by a BAPS delegation on 18 July 2026 sparked a formal investigation after allegations that women were denied access during the trip. The incident occurred during celebrations for the inauguration of a Hindu temple in Bussy-Saint-Georges.

Why it matters: This case has become a flashpoint for discussions on how religious organizations navigate gender equality norms when operating in international public spaces.

Key detail: BAPS has denied that women were deliberately barred from the Eiffel Tower, but the investigation continues as city officials stress that gender equality must apply everywhere.

Source: Tribune

Next step: The outcome of the investigation could set precedents for how religious delegations are accommodated at major public landmarks worldwide.

4. Bengal BJP Leaders Oppose Vegetarian Pujo Appeal

A front-page report in The Hindu says several West Bengal BJP ministers and leaders have rejected an appeal by godman Dhirendra Krishna Shastri to keep non-vegetarian food away from Durga Puja pandals. Opposition parties including the TMC and Congress have criticised the BJP over the controversy, with the Congress filing police complaints against Shastri. BJP leaders defended the right of people to eat what they want while acknowledging the cultural importance of meat in Bengali Hindu rituals.

Several West Bengal BJP ministers and leaders have rejected an appeal by godman Dhirendra Krishna Shastri to keep non-vegetarian food away from Durga Puja pandals, defending the cultural importance of meat in Bengali Hindu rituals.

Why it matters: The controversy has exposed deep divisions over dietary customs and religious expression during one of India's most celebrated festivals, with opposition parties filing police complaints.

Key detail: The Congress party has filed complaints against Shastri at multiple police stations across West Bengal, alleging his remarks hurt Bengali sentiments. BJP leaders have defended the right of people to eat what they want.

Source: The Hindu

Next step: The debate is likely to intensify as Durga Puja approaches, with both sides preparing for a sustained public discourse on religious freedom and cultural traditions.

5. Kanpur Hindu Spiritual Fair Ahead Of 2027 Assembly Polls

A front-page report in Statesmen says a five-day Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair will be hosted in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, from November 26 to 30, bringing together spiritual organisations and community groups to showcase their charitable and social-service work ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Organisers state the fair aims to challenge the perception that Hindu institutions do not engage in organised service and to counter caste-based discrimination by fostering harmony between different community groups. S Gurumurthy, a former Reserve Bank of India director associated with the fair, stressed the need for communication and coordination to bring different social groups together and reduce caste-based divisions, echoing the broader discourse of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on social harmony.

A five-day Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair will be hosted in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, from November 26 to 30, bringing together spiritual organisations and community groups to showcase charitable and social-service work ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Why it matters: The fair aims to challenge the perception that Hindu institutions do not engage in organised service and to counter caste-based discrimination by fostering harmony between different community groups.

Key detail: S Gurumurthy, a former Reserve Bank of India director associated with the fair, stressed the need for communication and coordination to bring different social groups together and reduce caste-based divisions.

Source: Statesman

Next step: As the 2027 Assembly elections approach, the fair could serve as a platform for political messaging under the guise of religious and social service.

6. Haryana Government Takes Charge of Sikh Jatha Process

A front-page report in Tribune says the Haryana Government has initiated the process to facilitate the visit of Sikh pilgrims to historic gurdwaras in Pakistan for the Parkash Gurpurb of Guru Nanak. Applications are invited from devotees for religious events scheduled from November 22 to December 1 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Sri Nankana Sahib. The government took charge of the pilgrimage process to avoid lapses that could hamper the Sikh jatha, following a June incident where around 95 pilgrims could not cross into Pakistan due to lack of requisite formalities.

The Haryana Government has initiated the process to facilitate the visit of Sikh pilgrims to historic gurdwaras in Pakistan for the Parkash Gurpurb of Guru Nanak, inviting applications from devotees for religious events scheduled from November 22 to December 1 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Sri Nankana Sahib.

Why it matters: The government took charge of the pilgrimage process to avoid lapses that could hamper the Sikh jatha, following a June incident where around 95 pilgrims could not cross into Pakistan due to lack of requisite formalities.

Key detail: This marks a significant administrative intervention in cross-border religious travel, ensuring that devotees can participate in sacred events without bureaucratic obstacles.

Source: Tribune News Service

Next step: The successful execution of this pilgrimage could strengthen India-Pakistan religious diplomacy and set a template for future inter-country faith events.

7. National Commission for Minorities Seeks Torture Report

A front-page report in Tribune says the National Commission for Minorities Chairperson Harjit Singh Grewal has sought a report from Punjab DGP within ten days following the assault on Mohanjeet Singh. Grewal met Singh at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, where he is undergoing treatment, and heard his account of alleged police torture during a Lok Milni programme on September 2.

The National Commission for Minorities Chairperson Harjit Singh Grewal has sought a report from Punjab DGP within ten days following the assault on Mohanjeet Singh, who is undergoing treatment at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala after alleged police torture during a Lok Milni programme.

Why it matters: This development highlights ongoing concerns about police accountability and the protection of minority communities, particularly the Sikh community, in Punjab.

Key detail: Grewal met Singh at the hospital and heard his account of the alleged torture, underscoring the commission's role in monitoring human rights violations against minorities.

Source: Tribune

Next step: The DGP's response within the ten-day deadline will be closely watched by minority rights organisations and civil liberties groups across the country.

As India navigates the intersection of faith, law, and public policy, how can religious freedom coexist with constitutional equality? Share your thoughts in the comments.