Search results for 'The Observer'

J'khand exam protest enters 18th day; BJP observes bandh, ABVP march to assembly

J'khand exam protest enters 18th day; BJP observes bandh, ABVP march to assembly

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Student protests in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams have intensified, leading to a state-wide bandh called by the BJP and a march by the ABVP to the state assembly. The agitation, now in its 18th day, has seen police action against demonstrators, an ED money laundering probe, and the arrest of a former JPSC chairperson, while talks between the government and students remain deadlocked.

Courts shouldn't dictate dress codes: BJP on HC's hijab verdict

Courts shouldn't dictate dress codes: BJP on HC's hijab verdict

Rediff.com1 days ago

The BJP has criticised the Allahabad High Court's observations regarding the wearing of a hijab in school, stating that such matters should be left to school administrations and not courts. BJP spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam argued that faith is a significant personal aspect and courts should not dictate personal attire, while also acknowledging that schools have the right to set uniform policies. The High Court had dismissed a petition seeking permission for a girl to wear a headscarf, ruling it's not an essential part of Islamic faith.

Cockroaches, gutka packet: FSSAI slaps notices on Delhi's JW Marriott, Andaz

Cockroaches, gutka packet: FSSAI slaps notices on Delhi's JW Marriott, Andaz

Rediff.com5 hours ago

India's food safety regulator, FSSAI, has issued notices to five-star hotels JW Marriott and Andaz Delhi following inspections that revealed serious hygiene and food-safety violations, including cockroach infestations, expired food, poor sanitation, and improper food storage.

'Better half becomes bitter half': HC on troubled marriages

'Better half becomes bitter half': HC on troubled marriages

Rediff.com2 days ago

The Delhi High Court has highlighted the paradoxical nature of marriage, noting that unresolved issues can turn a "better half" into a "bitter half." These observations were made while acquitting a man, Nafe Singh, who was previously sentenced for attempting to murder his wife by pouring insecticide into her mouth. The court found insufficient evidence regarding his intent, granting him the benefit of doubt.

Subhash Chandra clarifies personal insolvency claims total Rs 3,992 crore, not Rs 22,000 crore

Subhash Chandra clarifies personal insolvency claims total Rs 3,992 crore, not Rs 22,000 crore

Rediff.com2 hours ago

Media baron Subhash Chandra has clarified that the total claim against him in personal insolvency proceedings is Rs 3,992 crore, not Rs 22,000 crore as claimed by dissenting creditors, asserting he was only a personal guarantor and not the borrower.

IOA, Sports Ministry Name Observers For Vinesh Phogat's Trial

IOA, Sports Ministry Name Observers For Vinesh Phogat's Trial

Rediff.com29 May 2026

Former footballer Aditi Chauhan and ex-hockey captain M M Somaiya will observe Vinesh Phogat's Asian Games trial, representing the IOA and Sports Ministry.

SC says revisit CBSE's 3-language policy, don't put pressure on children

SC says revisit CBSE's 3-language policy, don't put pressure on children

Rediff.com7 days ago

The Supreme Court has urged the CBSE to reconsider the implementation of its three-language policy for Class 9 students, emphasising that children should not be subjected to undue pressure. The court highlighted concerns about infrastructure, the starting point of the policy, and the definition of 'native' languages.

What caused the deadly Nepal flash floods

What caused the deadly Nepal flash floods

Rediff.com1 days ago

Experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) suggest that an ice-rock avalanche originating in a high-altitude area likely triggered the devastating flash floods that swept across central Nepal districts, killing at least 95 people and leaving nearly 500 missing.

Brothel customers can't be prosecuted under ITPA: HC

Brothel customers can't be prosecuted under ITPA: HC

Rediff.com7 days ago

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a customer visiting a brothel for personal gratification cannot be prosecuted under Sections 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. The court clarified that paying for personal lust does not constitute "procurement for the purpose of prostitution," which implies commercial exploitation. This decision led to the quashing of charges against a man apprehended in a Ghaziabad raid.

EC deploys 432 counting observers across Bengal

EC deploys 432 counting observers across Bengal

Rediff.com3 May 2026

The Election Commission has deployed 432 counting observers across all 294 assembly constituencies in West Bengal to ensure transparent and smooth counting of votes. Several districts have been assigned additional observers in view of their sensitivity and electoral significance. Enforcement agencies have carried out extensive seizure drives during the election period to curb illegal inducements, with total seizures valued at approximately Rs 561 crore.

Cauvery row: SC tells Tamil Nadu to raise water share plea before CWMA

Cauvery row: SC tells Tamil Nadu to raise water share plea before CWMA

Rediff.com3 days ago

The Supreme Court has advised the Tamil Nadu government to present its grievance regarding the proportionate release of Cauvery water to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). This comes after Tamil Nadu alleged that Karnataka was not releasing its due share of water despite directions from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and CWMA, impacting farmers in the state.

HC rejects UP student's hijab plea, upholds school dress code

HC rejects UP student's hijab plea, upholds school dress code

Rediff.com2 days ago

The Allahabad high court has dismissed a petition filed by a minor student of a school in Prayagraj. The petitioner had sought permission to wear a hijab additionally along with the prescribed school dress code while attending classes.

'They've lost fans': Ramiz Raja's big Pakistan warning

'They've lost fans': Ramiz Raja's big Pakistan warning

Rediff.com1 days ago

Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja has issued a stark warning that the national team's consistent poor performances are causing a significant decline in its fan base. He emphasised that while fans don't expect wins every time, they demand a fighting spirit and competitive attitude, which the team is currently lacking, leading to growing disinterest among supporters.

Guess who is wishing India from space ahead of Independence Day

Guess who is wishing India from space ahead of Independence Day

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station have conveyed special greetings to the people of India as the nation prepares to mark its 80th Independence Day, holding the Indian tricolour and underscoring the enduring partnership between the two countries in space exploration.

Stunning Solar Eclipse Images From Around The World

Stunning Solar Eclipse Images From Around The World

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Glimpses of the August 12, 2026 solar eclipse as the Moon crossed the Sun over Europe and beyond.

Why 2 MP temples celebrated Independence Day four days early

Why 2 MP temples celebrated Independence Day four days early

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Two prominent temples in Madhya Pradesh, the Pashupatinath Temple in Mandsaur and the Bade Ganesh Temple in Ujjain, observed India's Independence Day on August 11, four days ahead of the national celebration. This unique tradition stems from their adherence to the Hindu calendar, specifically Shravan Krishna Chaturdashi, which corresponded to August 15, 1947, and fell on August 11 this year. Special rituals, flag hoisting, and a Tiranga Yatra marked the early celebrations.

Why Are Tibetans Protesting?

Why Are Tibetans Protesting?

Rediff.com6 days ago

Tibetan communities across New Delhi, Kolkata and Shimla marked the 49th day since activist Lobsang Palden, also known as Lobga Rangza, immolated himself outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 2, 2026, with prayer services and protests.

How Poetry Is Making Physics Easier To Understand

How Poetry Is Making Physics Easier To Understand

Rediff.com1 days ago

A retired physics professor from Rajasthan University, Rishi Kumar Singhal, is making complex physics concepts accessible and engaging by teaching them through Hindi poetry and songs. His initiative, "Physics Through Poetry," involves four books containing around 250 poems that explain topics like rocket propulsion, black holes, and the Raman Effect, making learning easier for students from Class 12 to MSc level.

'Coding Agents Won't Replace Software Engineers'

'Coding Agents Won't Replace Software Engineers'

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

'It seems unlikely that organisations will be a bunch of individuals who work on their own and there are no teams anymore, because that is not sustainable.'

Delhi HC: Parody, caricatures don't violate personality rights

Delhi HC: Parody, caricatures don't violate personality rights

Rediff.com3 days ago

The Delhi High Court has issued a significant ruling on personality rights, cautioning against their broad application to suppress caricature or parody. The court granted interim protection to Physics Wallah founder Alakh Pandey against impersonation and commercial exploitation, specifically for sexually vulgar content and unlicensed monetisation, while emphasising that these rights should not stifle legitimate expression or information dissemination.

Court rejects Delhi Race Club's plea for stay on eviction order

Court rejects Delhi Race Club's plea for stay on eviction order

Rediff.com1 days ago

A Delhi court has dismissed the Delhi Race Club's plea for an interim stay on an eviction order issued by the central government, ruling that the club failed to establish a prima facie case in its favour and did not renew its lease after 1994.

Jharkhand HC stays cancellations of recruitment through 11th to 13th JPSC exams

Jharkhand HC stays cancellations of recruitment through 11th to 13th JPSC exams

Rediff.com7 days ago

The Jharkhand High Court has stayed the state government's notifications cancelling appointments made through the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations and for food safety officers, providing relief to approximately 450 candidates.

LS secretariat issues notices to 20 rebel TMC MPs in defection row

LS secretariat issues notices to 20 rebel TMC MPs in defection row

Rediff.com1 days ago

The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, seeking their replies within seven days regarding petitions filed by TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee for their disqualification under the anti-defection law.

James Webb Reveals Stunning Lion Nebula

James Webb Reveals Stunning Lion Nebula

Rediff.com7 days ago

Glimpses of the Lion Nebula through NASA's James Webb space relescope.

Probe reveals another exam paper leak at govt-run agri university

Probe reveals another exam paper leak at govt-run agri university

Rediff.com3 days ago

Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) in Raipur has cancelled the BSc Agriculture first-year Plant Pathology exam after a police investigation confirmed its question paper was leaked. This follows an earlier leak of the Entomology paper, which led to arrests. The university is implementing new security measures, including digital paper distribution and increased CCTV surveillance, and will re-conduct the affected exams in September.

Why are Himalayan disasters turning more destructive?

Why are Himalayan disasters turning more destructive?

Rediff.com9 hours ago

A scientist from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology highlights how climate change, including glacial retreat, shifting precipitation patterns, and rising nighttime temperatures, is exacerbating the risk of flash floods and landslides in the Himalayas, as seen in recent disasters in Nepal and Uttarakhand.

7-yr-old boy 'with fever' dies at Maha ashram school; 26 hospitalised

7-yr-old boy 'with fever' dies at Maha ashram school; 26 hospitalised

Rediff.com2 days ago

A 7-year-old student at a residential school in Palghar, Maharashtra, has died from high fever and breathing difficulties, leading to the hospitalisation of 26 other students with similar symptoms. This incident follows recent deaths of tribal girls in another Maharashtra ashram school due to snakebite, highlighting ongoing concerns about student safety and health in such facilities.

'Show some sportsmanship': SC gives ICG 2 weeks on female officer's case

'Show some sportsmanship': SC gives ICG 2 weeks on female officer's case

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for not granting permanent commission to a female officer, saying "we will not allow women officers to be humiliated".

'Every penny must reach temple treasury': SC on Banke Bihari donations

'Every penny must reach temple treasury': SC on Banke Bihari donations

Rediff.com2 days ago

The Supreme Court has issued a directive for the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, mandating that all donations must be deposited into official donation boxes or the online temple treasury. This comes amidst serious allegations of sevayats siphoning off funds and obstructing online donation methods, highlighting the need for a transparent mechanism in temple management.

Bombay HC flags Aadhaar, PAN card fraud by infiltrators

Bombay HC flags Aadhaar, PAN card fraud by infiltrators

Rediff.com1 days ago

The Bombay High Court has identified a worrying trend of foreign nationals infiltrating India, fraudulently acquiring documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards to claim Indian citizenship. The court highlighted serious gaps in inter-agency coordination and document verification, noting that some individuals have engaged in anti-national activities. It urged the Centre to amend the Aadhaar Act to facilitate tracing and deportation, and to establish procedures for dealing with human trafficking and border infiltration. The ruling came during a case involving an Afghan national who overstayed his visa and obtained fake documents to secure an Indian passport.

Mumbai Couple Wins Battle Against Builder

Mumbai Couple Wins Battle Against Builder

Rediff.com16 hours ago

The Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered Rizvi Estates and Hotels Pvt. Ltd. to either rectify defects in a flat or pay 1,50,000 for repairs, along with 50,000 for mental agony and 25,000 for litigation costs, after a couple reported cracks, leakage, and unfulfilled amenities.

Pulwama terror attack accused Insha Jan's bail plea rejected

Pulwama terror attack accused Insha Jan's bail plea rejected

Rediff.com4 days ago

A special NIA court in Jammu has rejected the bail plea of Insha Jan alias Insha Tariq, an accused in the 2019 Pulwama suicide attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, observing that sufficient material existed on record to presume that the accusations against her were prima facie true.

New Study Reveals How Brain's Language Skills Defy Age

New Study Reveals How Brain's Language Skills Defy Age

Rediff.com2 days ago

A new study by MIT and Boston University found that the brain region responsible for language remains active and similar in older adults compared to younger adults. However, the brain system for decision-making, known as the 'multiple demand network', shows significant differences with age. This suggests that specialised brain functions like language processing may be more resilient to ageing than general-purpose cognitive functions.

RBI's New Data Rules Force Banks, NBFCs to Rework Fintech Partnerships

RBI's New Data Rules Force Banks, NBFCs to Rework Fintech Partnerships

Rediff.com9 hours ago

Indian banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are undertaking a comprehensive review and reset of their engagement terms with fintech firms, driven by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) draft Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance and the stringent compliance requirements of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and its 2025 Rules.

Why Hingorani Family Sold Gandhi Papers

Why Hingorani Family Sold Gandhi Papers

Rediff.com5 days ago

The Hingorani family's decision to part with the Gandhi archive after generations was guided by a desire to make it accessible to a wider audience and to fund initiatives that would extend its legacy.

Hospitals Oppose Room Rate Cap

Hospitals Oppose Room Rate Cap

Rediff.com16 hours ago

'Indian private sector hospitals provide quality healthcare at a fraction of the global cost.'

ISRO Bets Big on Space Startups

ISRO Bets Big on Space Startups

Rediff.com3 days ago

'ISRO will not manufacture any launch vehicles. That will all be done by the private sector or public sector undertakings.'

Manjrekar's Criticism Was A 'Guru' That Changed My Life: Ashwin

Manjrekar's Criticism Was A 'Guru' That Changed My Life: Ashwin

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that Sanjay Manjrekar's harsh criticism of his bowling after the 2011-12 Australia tour, initially met with anger, ultimately served as a constructive 'guru' that motivated him to work harder and transform his career.

Junk food to paper leaks: HC takes up Gen Z, Alpha, Beta challenges

Junk food to paper leaks: HC takes up Gen Z, Alpha, Beta challenges

Rediff.com2 days ago

The Rajasthan high court, Jodhpur, has taken suo motu cognisance of issues concerning Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta, expressing concern over junk food, excessive screen time, paper leaks, inadequate infrastructure in rural schools and the possible erosion of basic learning skills in the age of artificial intelligence.

India coach Marijne questions tight FIH World Cup schedule after loss

India coach Marijne questions tight FIH World Cup schedule after loss

Rediff.com5 days ago

India's coach Sjoerd Marijne has criticised the tight scheduling at the FIH World Cup, particularly after his team's 0-2 loss to the Netherlands, citing the burden of playing on consecutive days.