top of page
Secularism Media Scan
This webpage offers a database of English-language news stories about secularism, beginning in January 2023. Users can search by date, country of origin, or topic. Top stories are featured at the top of the page.
.png)
.png)
03 February 2026
Quebec minister Drainville is consultating on the province's new secularism bill 9 at the National Assembly. The new secularism bill strengthens secularism in the education system and public services.
By CBC News
.png)
All News
Title | Date | Journal | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
Consensus commission: Parties’ opinions sought on rights, nationality, secularism | 08/03/2025 | Daily Star | This article xamines how political parties are seeking to incorporate opinions on rights, nationality and secularism. The rise of secularism has reinforced significant reccomendations for the Bangladesh reform commission. |
Bangladesh’s protesting students have a party. Their challenge begins | 07/03/2025 | Indian Express | This article examines how Bangladesh students are protesting to maintain secularism within public schools. |
Quebecers, what's the personal story behind how you're voting in the next federal election? | 06/03/2025 | CBC Montreal | This article examines the impact of Quebec secular law and amendments to Bill 21. It is calling Quebecers to share their experiences with the secular law. |
The Crisis Engulfing the French Left | 06/03/2025 | The Nation | This article examines the tension with France's left alliance in relation to questions of secularism. |
No CM face, UDF will fight Kerala polls under collective leadership: Congress leader V D Satheesan | 05/03/2025 | Indian Express | This article describes how the UDF party plans to challenge the Kerala polls to enforce stronger policies on Indian secularism. |
Bill 21: federal government to intervene on secularism law at Supreme Court | 04/03/2025 | City News | This article explains the political and social tensions between Quebec and Canada in light of the contestation of Bill 21. The federal government plans to intervene in the Supreme Court of Canada's leave to appeal Quebec's secular law. The federal government has asserted its vested interest in the case. Justice Canada has filed a notice on behalf of the Attorney General to highlight the government's distinct interest as an intervenor. |
Ottawa Files Notice to Intervene in Supreme Court Hearing on Secularism Bill | 04/03/2025 | Ottawa Files Notice to Intervene in Supreme Court Hearing on Secularism Bill | This article explains how Ottawa has filed a notice to interven in the leave to appeal for the Bill 21 challenge. |
Municipalities, Rights Groups Concerned About Quebec Bill on Integrating Immigrants | 03/03/2025 | Epoch Times | This article explains the concern of rights groups over the expansion of Bill 21 and Quebec's bill to intergrate immigrants. |
Exam poser sparks secularism debate: ‘Propaganda’ slur on Assam Class X question to ‘test constitutional values’ | 02/03/2025 | The Telegraph India | This article describes the controversy over an examination in a public school which required students to describe constitutional values concerning propaganda and Indian secularism. |
Quebec wants to extend religious symbols ban to more school personnel | 01/03/2025 | Montreal Gazette | This article examines Quebec's plan to extend the religious symbols ban under Bill 21 in order to strengthen secularism in public schools. |
Deeply religious African countries provide little state support to religion – unlike in Europe. | 01/03/2025 | IOL | This article examines the influence of religion in African countries and their lack of state support in matters related to religion. It illustrates how these countries have increased their secular mandates. |
Quebec could extend religious symbols ban to school staff other than teachers | 01/03/2025 | The Globe and Mail | This article examines how the province of Quebec is seeking to expand the scope of Bill 21 to include all religious symbols ban to school staff. |
Year-Ender 2024: India Sees 84% Surge In Communal Riots, Maharashtra Tops List Followed By Uttar Pradesh And Bihar, Reveals CSSS Report | 31/12/2024 | The Free Press Journal | This article examines the prevalence of communal riots in Maharashtra, which has experienced the highest incidence of such unrest, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This analysis is contextualized within the ongoing discourse surrounding religious beliefs and accusations related to cow vigilantism, particularly about the values upheld by Hindu communities. |
Deeply malicious: Kerala CM on Nitesh Rane’s ‘mini Pakistan’ remarks | 31/12/2024 | Siasat | This article discusses the controversy surrounding a Maharashtra minister’s comments on hate speech and campaigns amid calls for greater secular influence and communal harmony. |
As world cheers the restored Notre-Dame, other French churches decay | 30/12/2024 | The Art Newspaper | This article analyzes the increasing prevalence of secularism and the concomitant decline in the number of churches. Despite this trend, the organization Observatoire du Patrimoine Religieux has successfully raised over 16.7 million euros with the aim of establishing 100 new churches within the country. |
Ambedkar and Congress: The real culprits of the sacred document | 30/12/2024 | Organiser | This article addresses the ongoing discussion regarding the significance of the terms 'secular' and 'socialist' in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. There is a prevailing opinion that the Congress party has not fully adhered to the Constitution’s foundational principles, particularly its commitment to secularism within the nation. |
Arunachal to frame rules to implement the Act to curbs religious conversion | 29/12/2024 | Deccan Chronicle | This article explores the proposal by the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) to prohibit religious conversions undertaken through coercion, inducement, or deceptive practices. The initiative reflects a commitment to safeguarding indigenous religious beliefs while upholding secular values. |
Kyrgyzstan introduces bill regulating religious practices and imposing niqab ban | 29/12/2024 | Daryo | This article addresses the recent approval by the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan of a draft law concerning freedom of religion and religious associations. The legislation introduces several restrictions on religious practices and attire, which merit careful consideration and discussion. |
Travesty of justice': Former SC judge on top court's Ram mandir judgement | 28/12/2024 | MSN | This article analyzes the criticism made by Former Supreme Court Justice RF Nariman regarding the 2019 Ayodhya verdict. He described the decision as a "travesty of justice," highlighting its failure to uphold the principles of secularism. |
Kyrgyzstan’s parliament approves a ban on wearing niqab in public places | 27/12/2024 | Asia Plus | The article discusses the recent legislative action taken by Kyrgyzstan, which involves the approval of a bill imposing a fine of $230 on women who wear the niqab, a face veil commonly worn by some Muslim women, in public spaces and government buildings. This decision has generated various responses and debates regarding cultural practices and individual rights within the country. |
Kanthapuram urges political parties to uphold secularism | 27/12/2024 | The Hindu | This article analyzes the efforts of Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar, who advocates for political parties to uphold the principle of secularism. His objective is to preserve the country's long-established secular values, which are crucial to its social and cultural fabric. |
Nehruvian Secularism and the Man against it | 27/12/2024 | Hindu Post | This article discusses Sita Ram Goel, a notable Indian historian and political thinker, who was a strong critic of Nehruvian secularism. Goel viewed Nehruvian secularism as a misrepresentation of true secular values, which he believed aimed to undermine Hinduism. He argued that secularism, in its original Western context, arose as a reaction against theocratic rule, particularly that of Christianity. This led to the promotion of a separation between religion and state, fostering individual freedoms and pluralism. |
New CJI, rulings on personal liberty, places of worship: Key events in Supreme Court | 26/12/2024 | The Economic Times | This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the landmark decisions issued by the Indian Supreme Court. It highlights the establishment of guidelines for "bulldozer" justice and the subsequent prohibition on all courts from adjudicating disputes related to religious sites. |
Bloq Quebecois MP accused Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown of interfering in Quebec politics during foreign interference probe | 26/12/2024 | Brampton Guardian | This article provides an analysis of Mayor Patrick Brown's remarks concerning Quebec politics, focusing on the issues of secularism and Bill 21. It also addresses allegations of foreign election interference attributed to the Indian government. |
CDN schools among 17 investigated for Bill 21 violations | 25/12/2024 | The Suburban | This article reports that Quebec's Education Minister, Bernard Drainville, has announced an investigation into 17 schools in the province, including three in Montreal: École La Voie, École Bienville, and École Saint-Pascal-Baylon. These schools are being examined for their apparent non-compliance with the province’s Secularism Law, known as Bill 21. Drainville has expressed intentions to legislate further if necessary to reinforce secularism in schools. |
In First, Israel's Education Ministry Surveys Students on Their Jewish Values and Degree of National Pride | 24/12/2024 | Haaretz | This article discusses the recent initiative by Israel's Education Ministry, which has distributed a survey aimed at gauging students' perspectives on Jewish values and national pride. The questionnaire is intended to stimulate dialogue regarding the potential implications of its content in depicting Israel as a religious Jewish state, as noted by a source within the ministry. |
Azerbaijani family model built on national identity and religious values | 23/12/2024 | Trend News | This article provides an analysis of the conviction of eight individuals by France's antiterrorism court for their involvement in the tragic death of teacher Samuel Paty. The court's ruling highlighted the significance of France's secular values within the context of the case. |
Religion in the time of uncertainties | 23/12/2024 | The Indian Express | This article provides a comprehensive examination of the historical influence of religion and the theme of unification in India. It does so within the context of the rising calls for secularism, analyzing key historical events and relevant texts related to religion. |
Azerbaijani President: Our country free from discrimination or conflict on religious grounds | 23/12/2024 | Azertac | This article discusses the speech delivered by President Ilham Aliyev during the Forum of Religious Figures of Azerbaijan. In his address, he underscored the values of tolerance that are deeply rooted in the nation's history, emphasizing the absence of religious discrimination and conflict within the country. The forum centered on the significance of religious enlightenment and the exploration of future prospects for fostering interreligious dialogue. |
Secular framework eroded Hindu institutions | 22/12/2024 | Times of India | This article explores the secular framework in relation to Hindu cultural heritage and examines the ensuing debates regarding the division of Hindu institutions. It analyzes how secularism interacts with and affects the preservation and evolution of Hindu traditions, as well as the implications of creating divisions within these institutions. |
Muslim leaders welcome Bhagwat’s temple-mosque remarks | 21/12/2024 | Awaz the Voice | The article delves into the ongoing debates among political leaders regarding the emergence of new Hindu sites, particularly in relation to the Bhagwat's mosque and temple. The discussion highlights the complexities surrounding these cultural and religious locations and their significance in contemporary political discourse. |
French court issues severe sentences to those linked to beheading of teacher Samuel Paty | 21/12/2024 | RFI | This article analyzes the recent conviction of eight individuals by France's antiterrorism court in connection with the death of teacher Samuel Paty. The court emphasized the importance of the country's secular values in its proceedings and judgment. |
Quebec Premier's Prayer Ban Plan Sparks Secular Debate | 20/12/2024 | MSN | This article explores the ongoing debate in Quebec concerning the proposal to restrict public prayers as a means of maintaining the secular mandate. The discourse focuses on the balance between religious expression in public spaces and the principles of secular law. |
SC Direction On Worship Act Balances Secularism & Hindutva Narratives | 19/12/2024 | The Free Press Journal | This article explains how the recent Supreme Court decision on the Worship Act aims to balance both secularism and Hindutva values within Indian society. |
Supreme Court Upholds Secularism and National Unity | 19/12/2024 | Brighter Kashmir | This article provides an in-depth analysis of the interplay between secularism and religion in India, emphasizing the distinct influences derived from other secular models. |
Inclusive Secularism | 18/12/2024 | The Economic Times | This article provides an in-depth analysis of the interplay between secularism and religion in India, emphasizing the distinct influences derived from other secular models. |
Quebec Premier Aims to Ban Public Prayers | 17/12/2024 | MSN | This article provides an analysis of Premier Legault's proposal to prohibit public prayers in Quebec. The initiative has sparked significant discussion regarding personal freedom and its implications for the understanding of secularism in the province. |
In Ajaccio, Pope Francis advocates 'Corsican-style' secularism | 16/12/2024 | La Croix International | This article explains how Pope Francis has called for a Corsian-style of secularism in order to reinforce healthy values. |
The Indian state is unfair to Hindus. What we found might surprise you. | 16/12/2024 | Swarajya | This article describes the influence of Indian secularism specific to its unstrict seperation between religion and state. Many have criticized this component of Indian secularism as a tool used to advance unequal treatment of religions. |
After religious symbols law, Quebec eyes ban on public prayer: Where the province is headed on secularism | 16/12/2024 | CBC News | This article examines how the Quebec government is planning to ban prayers in public spaces. This new prohibition is understood to be an advnacement to strengthen the secular laws. |
Page 1 of 1
bottom of page