News for 'Approaching Democratic Crisis'

India's Approaching Democratic Crisis

India's Approaching Democratic Crisis

Rediff.com22 Nov 2021

India will either have to create a system in which certain geographical areas will wind up being permanent political outsiders at the Union level or it will have to create a system in which certain votes are weighted more heavily than others, observes Mihir S Sharma.

'Bad neighbours' can't seek water: Jaishankar's warning to Pak

'Bad neighbours' can't seek water: Jaishankar's warning to Pak

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserts India's right to defend against terrorism from 'bad neighbours' while highlighting India's support for friendly nations.

India Still Features In Trump's Security Plan

India Still Features In Trump's Security Plan

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

The new US national security strategy signals a retreat from global dominance while reaffirming continuity in India's role in Indo-Pacific security and Quad cooperation, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Was US India's Ally Or Foe In The 1962 War?

Was US India's Ally Or Foe In The 1962 War?

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

What appeared to be a generous act of friendship was, in truth, a manoeuvre within a much larger strategic game. The United States used the 1962 war not just to aid India but to test how far it could be pulled into the Western fold, points out Dr Kumar.

AAP's Malik becomes first sitting MLA to be detained under PSA in J-K

AAP's Malik becomes first sitting MLA to be detained under PSA in J-K

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

Jammu and Kashmir AAP chief and MLA Mehraj Malik was detained under the Public Safety Act for allegedly disturbing public order in Doda district. The detention has sparked condemnation from opposition parties.

Modi's Visit: 'Manipuris Are Disappointed'

Modi's Visit: 'Manipuris Are Disappointed'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

'No one anticipated magical solutions or miraculous interventions.' 'However, people across the entire spectrum -- whether residing in the valley or the hills -- expected the prime minister to dedicate at least five to ten minutes to genuinely listening to the voice of the people.'

SC allows excluded Bihar voters to submit claims with Aadhaar

SC allows excluded Bihar voters to submit claims with Aadhaar

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

Expressing surprise over political parties not coming forward in filing objections related to 65 lakh excluded voters, the top court directed the chief electoral officer of Bihar to implead them in the court proceedings.

How Modi Changed Indian Politics

How Modi Changed Indian Politics

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

In the last 11 years, India and the world witnessed what he stood for, what he promised and did not deliver, and what he actually stood for and practised without fearing how history would judge him. Modi's tenure has been punctuated with headline-grabbing decisions, symbolic gestures, and stage-managed moments that continue to define his leadership and India's politics, points out Ramesh Menon.

'The Problem With Quick Fixes Is...'

'The Problem With Quick Fixes Is...'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

'...they always address problems superficially, never tackling root causes.' 'Currently, the policy response will focus on immediate relief -- getting people to safety, providing facilities, clearing debris.' 'This is necessary, but once immediate relief operations end, everything returns to 'normal' without addressing underlying vulnerabilities.'

Can Zohran Mamdani Be New York Mayor?

Can Zohran Mamdani Be New York Mayor?

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

Zohram Kwame Mamdani would be the city's first Muslim and Indian American mayor if elected New York mayor this November.

'Unlikely Pakistan Shot Down 3 Rafales'

'Unlikely Pakistan Shot Down 3 Rafales'

Rediff.com9 May 2025

'There is no independently verified imagery or battlefield evidence to support Pakistan's claim.'

'Media Frenzy Has Ruined Justice Varma's Reputation'

'Media Frenzy Has Ruined Justice Varma's Reputation'

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

'Presumption of innocence must guide all formal actions, but transparency must not be mistaken for pre-judgment.' 'The cruel irony, however, is that Justice Varma is a fine judge who enjoys a reputation for writing well-reasoned judgments.'

How Modi Has Changed Babus

How Modi Has Changed Babus

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

At the PMO, policies are framed by factoring in analytical perspectives, implications, sustainability, and other dimensions.

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

'If we truly wish to understand and apply Marx's insights today, we must reject the rigid dogmas that later 'Marxists' imposed in his name.'

G20 consensus may help solve Ukraine crisis: Sources

G20 consensus may help solve Ukraine crisis: Sources

Rediff.com10 Sep 2023

It was a combination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'guarantee and magic', the sources said while referring to total unanimity among member nations on the entire New Delhi G20 leaders' declaration.

Crisis deepens as Bengal docs defy SC order, reject Mamata's talk offer

Crisis deepens as Bengal docs defy SC order, reject Mamata's talk offer

Rediff.com11 Sep 2024

The top court on Monday directed the protesting resident doctors to resume work by 5 pm on Tuesday, observing that if "there is continued abstention from work, there may be a likelihood of adverse action".

President's rule imposed in Manipur to buy time: Opposition

President's rule imposed in Manipur to buy time: Opposition

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Opposition parties in India have criticized the imposition of President's rule in strife-torn Manipur, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to address the ethnic violence and using the measure to cover up internal conflicts within the party. They demanded a clear roadmap for restoring peace and questioned the government's lack of transparency and inaction on the issue. The violence, which erupted in May 2023, has left over 250 people dead.

Marxist leader Anura Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential vote

Marxist leader Anura Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential vote

Rediff.com22 Sep 2024

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna's (JVP) broader front National People's Power (NPP), on Sunday consolidated his lead in the Sri Lanka's presidential election.

'Who Does Not Want To Be Prime Minister?'

'Who Does Not Want To Be Prime Minister?'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

'We are going to need more technical people in government.' 'You can't expect a generalist to understand the complicated world of financial engineering.' 'I regret to say that most of our politicians have no competence to deal with these things. Nor is there a willingness to learn.'

Modi is good for Pakistan too: Pakistani American bizman

Modi is good for Pakistan too: Pakistani American bizman

Rediff.com8 Jun 2024

Pakistani-American businessman Sajid Tarar said like India, Pakistan also needs strong leadership to handle political instability and economic issues.

'Had liberalisation not taken place, I may have gone back to the US'

'Had liberalisation not taken place, I may have gone back to the US'

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

An exclusive excerpt from The Tatas: How A Family Built A Business And A Nation.

'Monumental mistake': Trudeau doubles down on India

'Monumental mistake': Trudeau doubles down on India

Rediff.com15 Oct 2024

"From the beginning, as of last summer, we've worked closely with our Five Eyes partners, particularly with the United States, where they have gone through a similar pattern of behaviour from India in regards to an attempted extrajudicial killing," Trudeau told reporters at a news conference in Ottawa.

Time Services Acted On Modi Diktat!

Time Services Acted On Modi Diktat!

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

Almost five years later, the three services have still not fully understood that joint/theatre commands are not a discussion point; they are the prime minister's diktat on a military reform measure that is in line with what armed forces around the world have implemented, points out Ajai Shukla.

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

'As we enter 2025, it must be acknowledged that there is a convergence of capital, influential people (from business and politics) and technology deciding the destiny of others in the name of pride, patriotism, nationalism, nation building, all of it thinly veiled disguises for personal profit and glory,' asserts Shyam G Menon.

Munambam: The Politics Of Waqf Land

Munambam: The Politics Of Waqf Land

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

The specter of how the Munambam issue was exploited during the November by-elections is proof of the price Kerala is paying for its emergent politics. Controversies become the stuff of slow-burn and brinkmanship. The former promises mileage; the latter searches for an advantage, notes Shyam G Menon.

How India Won Back Maldives's Trust

How India Won Back Maldives's Trust

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

The avoidable stresses and strains in ties helped in one way. It showed for the entire region how a matured India handled diplomatic relations, especially with a smaller and suspicious neighbour, with practised dignity and patience, unruffled by provocations in word, deed and action, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

How Modi Can Overcome Coalition Challenges

How Modi Can Overcome Coalition Challenges

Rediff.com19 Jun 2024

If the concerns over risking political capital are overcome, the long-term gains for the Indian economy will be immense, asserts A K Bhattacharya.

Govt to come out with White Paper on Economy before 2014

Govt to come out with White Paper on Economy before 2014

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

The government will come out with a White Paper on the mismanagement of economy prior to 2014 with an aim to draw lessons.

RJD leader refuses to step down as Bihar assembly Speaker

RJD leader refuses to step down as Bihar assembly Speaker

Rediff.com7 Feb 2024

Bihar assembly Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, against whom the newly formed National Democratic Alliance government has moved a no-confidence motion, on Wednesday dug in his heels.

Congress facing 'existential crisis': Ramesh

Congress facing 'existential crisis': Ramesh

Rediff.com7 Aug 2017

Ramesh also said that business as usual approach will not work against Modi and Shah.

Ram Teri Ganga Maili

Ram Teri Ganga Maili

Rediff.com12 Jun 2024

Six decades and more later, we are now captives of our identities. Every poll is based on elaborate calculations of electability of candidates on the basis of their castes and other narrow definers. That, along with voter promiscuity, is what defines our political culture, which remains stubbornly resistant to any change, asserts Shreekant Sambrani.

Taiwan: A Thorn In China-US Relations

Taiwan: A Thorn In China-US Relations

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

Any miscalculation and miscommunication are fraught with the risk of a major catastrophe, warns Rup Narayan Das.

Nitish breaks silence on Kharge to be made PM face of INDIA

Nitish breaks silence on Kharge to be made PM face of INDIA

Rediff.com25 Dec 2023

The Janata Dal-United leader maintained that having taken the initiative to bring parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party, he desired nothing for himself but admitted having stressed at the meeting the need to expedite seat-sharing arrangements.

Sanders, Clinton spar over transparency in Brooklyn Democratic debate

Sanders, Clinton spar over transparency in Brooklyn Democratic debate

Rediff.com15 Apr 2016

Clinton and Sanders, meeting for the debate in Brooklyn just days before the crucial presidential primary in New York on April 19, minced no words as they attacked each other.

'India has not blinked'

'India has not blinked'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2023

'The world is watching carefully. The choices India makes today have consequences beyond its borders.'

India's Untold Nepal Stories

India's Untold Nepal Stories

Rediff.com11 Mar 2024

In 2017, a retired R&AW officer conveyed that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was keen to get monarchy restored in Nepal and suggested that I support these efforts.

India's oldest regional party faces an existential crisis

India's oldest regional party faces an existential crisis

Rediff.com28 Jul 2020

'The Badals have made the Akali Dal a family enterprise and undermined the Sikh faith. They have no right to call themselves Akalis. We have approached the Election Commission to register ourselves as the Akali Dal with a different nomenclature. We will impress on people's minds that we are the real Akali Dal' Sai Manish reports on the fight for supremacy over the Akali Dal.

Delhi services bill: Tharoor says coercive federalism exists; Lekhi hits back

Delhi services bill: Tharoor says coercive federalism exists; Lekhi hits back

Rediff.com4 Aug 2023

Tharoor argued that the proposed bill represents a "grave chapter in the history of the Indian republic, seeking to ratify an ordinance that in many ways is an assault on our democratic heritage and the spirit of federalism."

'As a voter my vote should have value'

'As a voter my vote should have value'

Rediff.com18 Sep 2023

'Switching loyalty from one party to another is completely unfair as it devalues my vote.'