News for '-free-society'

HP Police Seizes Drugs, Liquor in Anti-Chitta Operation

HP Police Seizes Drugs, Liquor in Anti-Chitta Operation

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Himachal Pradesh Police conducted a large-scale anti-drug operation, seizing drugs and illegal liquor across the state and registering multiple cases under the NDPS and Excise Acts.

UP Police Prioritises Preventive Policing and Speedy Case Resolution

UP Police Prioritises Preventive Policing and Speedy Case Resolution

Rediff.com16 hours ago

Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna has directed officers to strengthen preventive policing and ensure timely disposal of investigations across the state.

India joins US-led strategic alliance Pax Silica

India joins US-led strategic alliance Pax Silica

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

India has joined the US-led 'Pax Silica' alliance, aimed at building a resilient supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties and fostering economic security.

Courts should not hesitate to deny liberty for corruption-free society: SC

Courts should not hesitate to deny liberty for corruption-free society: SC

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that courts should not hesitate to deny liberty to accused individuals in order to ensure a corruption-free society. The court's statement came while upholding the dismissal of an anticipatory bail plea in a corruption case against a public official. The court highlighted the dangers of corruption and emphasized that the presumption of innocence alone cannot be the sole consideration for granting bail in such cases.

Why Do We Believe Israel, And Not Iran?

Why Do We Believe Israel, And Not Iran?

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

At the end of the day, for many worldwide, the ongoing mutual attacks between Israel and Iran would seem a contest devoid of any moral high ground and only a bout between two ordinary adversaries, one that nevertheless risks spinning out of control into a larger conflagration, notes Shyam G Menon.

SC's big backing for free speech, quashes FIR against Congress MP

SC's big backing for free speech, quashes FIR against Congress MP

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has strongly criticized the police for suppressing freedom of speech by filing FIRs against artists for their performances, stating that mere recitation of a poem, stand-up comedy, or any form of art cannot be alleged to incite hatred or animosity between communities. The court quashed an FIR against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, who was booked for a song performed at a mass marriage function, emphasizing that such actions stifle legitimate expressions of view in a free society.

MDMA worth Rs 75 cr seized in biggest drug bust in K'taka, 2 held

MDMA worth Rs 75 cr seized in biggest drug bust in K'taka, 2 held

Rediff.com16 Mar 2025

Mangaluru Police in Karnataka have seized over 37 kg of MDMA, valued at Rs 75 crore, marking the biggest-ever drug haul in the state. Two South African nationals were arrested in Bengaluru in connection with the case. The operation stemmed from an earlier arrest six months ago, leading authorities to an international drug network with links to traffickers using air routes between Delhi and Bengaluru. The arrested individuals are suspected of supplying drugs to Nigerian peddlers and using forged passports and visas for travel. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lauded the police operation and highlighted the government's commitment to building a drug-free society.

No malicious intent: Court on Kailash Kher's Lord Shiva song

No malicious intent: Court on Kailash Kher's Lord Shiva song

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

Intolerance and dissent from the orthodoxy have been a bane of Indian society, the Bombay high court said, quoting author A G Noorani, while quashing a complaint against singer Kailash Kher for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with a song on Lord Shiva.

Why India Can't Be A Modern, Civilised, Free Society

Why India Can't Be A Modern, Civilised, Free Society

Rediff.com15 Apr 2022

On such things as the meat ban and hijab ban, we are finding that elements that comprise the system are enthusiastic about denying people their rights. It says something awful about us as a society, asserts Aakar Patel.

Doors open for you, says Lalu; Nitish smiles at offer

Doors open for you, says Lalu; Nitish smiles at offer

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

Lalu's son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, however, sought to downplay the remarks made by his father, in an interview to a local news channel, claiming that the RJD supremo had merely tried to satisfy the curiosity of the prying media.

Did Muslims Turn Their Backs On Kejriwal?

Did Muslims Turn Their Backs On Kejriwal?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

The Delhi assembly results have underscored that a section of Arvind Kejriwal's committed supporters abandoned him because they were let down by his refusal to take a stand on crucial issues that impinge on the security and Constitutionally enshrined rights of the people, notes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Kamal@70: The Motto He Believes In

Kamal@70: The Motto He Believes In

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

'Kamal has surfed and navigated a lot of tidal waves, manoeuvring the peaks and troughs, combining rare intelligence and commonly available intuitions to overcome unimaginable crises all his life.' 'There is no looking back at the past, for his only motto has been 'Tomorrow belongs to us'!'

Badlapur assault accused's death: Cops acted in self defence, says CM; Oppn seeks probe

Badlapur assault accused's death: Cops acted in self defence, says CM; Oppn seeks probe

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

There is no action against the "BJP-linked" school management but an arrested accused is shot dead in suspicious circumstances, he said, adding "we have no trust in Badlapur police".

'The Lord Saved Me'

'The Lord Saved Me'

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

'My family members are devotees of Lord Tirumala Venkateswara. I visit the deity before making any major decisions.'

Voters Prefer Strong Leaders Like Modi

Voters Prefer Strong Leaders Like Modi

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

...Even if it means less democracy, so that their everyday problems get solved? argues R Jagannathan.

We all decided unanimously...: CJI on why Ayodhya verdict kept anonymous

We all decided unanimously...: CJI on why Ayodhya verdict kept anonymous

Rediff.com1 Jan 2024

Justice Chandrachud also dealt with questions about criticism by eminent lawyers on the allocation of cases to particular judges and 'bench hunting', and said the allocation of cases is not "lawyer-driven" and vowed to maintain the credibility of the institution of the Supreme Court.

Carnatic Music Goes From Raga To Rage

Carnatic Music Goes From Raga To Rage

Rediff.com29 Mar 2024

They all seem to forget that the Music Academy is as much an independent institution as T M Krishna is an individual musician. In drawing those red lines for the Academy management, they do not even seem to recognise that they too have crossed a red line themselves, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Will make Maldives free of foreign military presence: New Prez Muizzu

Will make Maldives free of foreign military presence: New Prez Muizzu

Rediff.com17 Nov 2023

Vouching for preserving its independence and sovereignty, Muizzu made a firm commitment to ensure that the Maldives remains "free of any foreign military presence."

Kaathal: Demystifying The Indian Superstar

Kaathal: Demystifying The Indian Superstar

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

'As I watched Mammootty 'try out' Mathew Devassy, I could hear from my theatre seat the ready-made appreciation of the liberal press, their applause for the great actor having flirted with queerness on screen.' 'But it is a flirtation and nothing more, for I could not detect in Devassy any hint of love, not for his homosexual lover, not for his wife,,' observes Sreehari Nair.

Plea in Delhi HC seeks recall of currency over Rs 100, curbing cash deals over Rs 10K

Plea in Delhi HC seeks recall of currency over Rs 100, curbing cash deals over Rs 10K

Rediff.com3 May 2023

The Delhi high court on Wednesday asked the Centre and the Delhi government to present their stand on a plea seeking recall of all currency notes above Rs 100, restricting cash transactions above Rs 10,000 and linking assets worth more than Rs 50,000 with Aadhaar to check corruption.

Trump's Facebook, Instagram ban to be lifted after 2 years

Trump's Facebook, Instagram ban to be lifted after 2 years

Rediff.com26 Jan 2023

In a post on Truth Social, Trump responded by saying: "FACEBOOK, which has lost Billions of Dollars in value since "deplatforming" your favorite President, me, has just announced that they are reinstating my account. Such a thing should never again happen to a sitting President, or anybody else who is not deserving of retribution."

Mukesh's Fascination For Raag Darbari

Mukesh's Fascination For Raag Darbari

Rediff.com1 Aug 2023

Mukesh was most emotionally bonded to this tune, so all we will do is look at his songs engaging with this raag in films. In his fascinating book, Windows To The Soul: And Other Essays on Music, Manek Premchand reveals something we don't much know about the legendary singer, who was born 100 years ago on July 22.

Most narcotics are shipped in Pakistan, Amit Shah tells conference

Most narcotics are shipped in Pakistan, Amit Shah tells conference

Rediff.com24 Mar 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday security in the ocean needs to be strengthened as most of the narcotic drugs are shipped in Pakistan and go via Iran to Sri Lanka and Africa.

Delhi court grants bail to Zubair, extols Hindu tolerance

Delhi court grants bail to Zubair, extols Hindu tolerance

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

A magisterial court had on July 2 dismissed his bail plea and sent him to 14-day judicial custody (JC) in the case, citing the nature and gravity of the offences against the accused and observing that the matter was at an initial stage of investigation.

Chhattisgarh BJP lawmaker wants sale of bhang, ganja legalised to prevent crime

Chhattisgarh BJP lawmaker wants sale of bhang, ganja legalised to prevent crime

Rediff.com25 Jul 2022

A Chhattisgarh legislator from the Bharatiya Janata Party has suggested that use of bhang and cannabis be encouraged as alternatives to liquor, claiming that people addicted to these substances hardly commit crimes like rape, murder and dacoity.

Why are models dressed like animals?

Why are models dressed like animals?

Rediff.com26 Jun 2021

To showcase her vision of a cruelty-free society, designer Stella McCartney got models to pose as animals while being dressed in looks from her Autumn 2021 collection

What would Bhagat Singh think of India 2021?

What would Bhagat Singh think of India 2021?

Rediff.com28 Sep 2021

'Communalism was the biggest enemy of a free society and Bhagat Singh imagined a future without it. Did we succeed in bringing alive such a future?'

'If Section 66A of IT Act goes, something else will come in'

'If Section 66A of IT Act goes, something else will come in'

Rediff.com14 Sep 2022

'The cases have not reduced because the prosecution has found some other way to stop people from using their right to free speech.'

An Indian Moment, Modi's Golden Hour

An Indian Moment, Modi's Golden Hour

Rediff.com25 Aug 2021

We may not be a super military power like the US, but we are the superpower in compassion, love and human values as taught to us by the Bhagavad Gita and the Guru Granth Sahib, says former BJP MP Tarun Vijay.

Will AAP Forge A New Political Culture In India?

Will AAP Forge A New Political Culture In India?

Rediff.com29 Mar 2022

AAP will have to learn to be patient as such electoral changes do not happen in a hurry, asserts Ramesh Menon.

A 'force for global good,' says Modi at Quad summit

A 'force for global good,' says Modi at Quad summit

Rediff.com25 Sep 2021

India, Australia, Japan and the US on Friday pledged to work together for ensuring peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and the world, as top leaders of the Quad grouping announced a slew of new initiatives to take on common challenges, amidst muscle flexing by an assertive China in the strategic region.

Trio wins Chemistry Nobel for work on lithium-ion batteries

Trio wins Chemistry Nobel for work on lithium-ion batteries

Rediff.com9 Oct 2019

Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionised our lives since they first entered the market in 1991.

In SCO address, Modi tears into Pak over terrorism

In SCO address, Modi tears into Pak over terrorism

Rediff.com14 Jun 2019

The PM said that countries sponsoring, aiding and funding terrorism must be held accountable.

UP 2022 is so IMPORTANT for Modi

UP 2022 is so IMPORTANT for Modi

Rediff.com13 Aug 2021

The outcome in UP is far more significant than in the other states going to the polls next year. An unlikely setback in UP can cramp the Modi government, virtually making it a lame-duck two years ahead of the 2024 parliamentary poll, observes Virendra Kapoor.

'Trump is the only president to acknowledge Hindus'

'Trump is the only president to acknowledge Hindus'

Rediff.com27 Oct 2020

Participating in an online session, a panel of Hindu-American women, from different walks of life, expressed their strong views in favour of President Trump.

It is time for Hindus and Muslims to reconcile

It is time for Hindus and Muslims to reconcile

Rediff.com1 Apr 2020

'This Ram Navami -- the birth anniversary of Lord Ram -- presents the majority community an opportunity to shed its minority complex and offer an olive branch and discrimination- free society to the minority,' suggests Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Trump signs executive orders banning TikTok, Wechat

Trump signs executive orders banning TikTok, Wechat

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

Trump said the spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by the companies in China continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the country.

How politicians are using social networks to woo voters

How politicians are using social networks to woo voters

Rediff.com15 Jan 2014

Social media is the new advertising tool for today's politicians and political parties

HM bats for Kamal Haasan, says artists have full liberty

HM bats for Kamal Haasan, says artists have full liberty

Rediff.com30 Jan 2013

The Centre on Tuesday came out in support of film star Kamal Haasan, who is facing problems in releasing his mega budget film 'Vishwaroopam', saying everyone in the country enjoys the freedom of expression and artists have full liberty to continue their choice of work.