News for 'Arun Shourie'

'Have done no wrong': Maran after CBI chargesheets him

'Have done no wrong': Maran after CBI chargesheets him

Rediff.com9 Dec 2016

"I have repeatedly said I have done no wrong. A case related to this had come up before the Supreme Court last year and was heard by a bench headed by CJI T S Thakur, who had remarked that this case was made out because of political reasons," Maran, who was telecom minister between 2004 and 2007, said.

Govt should listen to people disturbed by 'intolerance', Rahul tells Govt

Govt should listen to people disturbed by 'intolerance', Rahul tells Govt

Rediff.com1 Dec 2015

Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the government on the issue of intolerance telling it not to learn the "wrong lessons" from the Pakistan.

Sai's Take: What I learnt from Modi's Express interview

Sai's Take: What I learnt from Modi's Express interview

Rediff.com13 May 2019

'Modi's interview style is distinct, and alas one that is increasingly being followed by others as well, notably by the man who is out to challenge him, Rahul Gandhi.' 'This may appear aggressive and combative to readers and viewers, but the fact is that sometimes it becomes unclear as to who is interviewing who,' discovers Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

5 questions for the 'Prannoy Roy Brigade'

5 questions for the 'Prannoy Roy Brigade'

Rediff.com13 Jun 2017

'While I am personally pained at the raids on Dr Roy's home, I want to ask five questions of those crying themselves hoarse over the attack on the "freedom of the press",' says Sudhir Bisht.

Opposition demands detained J-K leaders' immediate release

Opposition demands detained J-K leaders' immediate release

Rediff.com9 Mar 2020

The Opposition on Monday demanded immediate release of all political detainees in Jammu and Kashmir, especially three former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.

One Needs Courage To Do What Prannoy Roy Did

One Needs Courage To Do What Prannoy Roy Did

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

Even today when news organisations and their owners have stooped before the powers that be when they were only asked to bend, Prannoy is still standing tall, asserts Sanjay Ahirwal, , former managing editor, NDTV Worldwide.

A Serendipitous Civil Service Career

A Serendipitous Civil Service Career

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

Every twist and turn in KMC's civil service career is attributed to serendipity, an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident. He plays down his capabilities, which took him to the top of the civil service as the Cabinet Secretary or his misfortune in losing a daughter in her prime and suggests that his career was indeed serendipitous, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Are voices of dissent in the BJP rising?

Are voices of dissent in the BJP rising?

Rediff.com26 Oct 2018

Even Subramanian Swamy, who says he is an ardent supporter of the prime minister, has been taking proxy pot shots at him.' 'At the ground level too, there is resentment from workers and local leaders who have perhaps not got whatever they may have wanted,' notes T C A Srinivasa-Raghavan.

Ravish Kumar receives 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award

Ravish Kumar receives 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award

Rediff.com9 Sep 2019

Kumar was among five individuals who were declared winners of the award, which is Asia's premier prize and highest honour and celebrates greatness of spirit and transformative leadership in Asia.

'This is a warning to the media'

'This is a warning to the media'

Rediff.com10 Jun 2017

'Fall in line or you will be in the line of fire.'

SC to hear batch of petitions on Rafale deal on Wednesday

SC to hear batch of petitions on Rafale deal on Wednesday

Rediff.com31 Oct 2018

Two former union ministers have sought registration of an FIR into the fighter jet deal between India and France alleging "criminal misconduct" by high public functionaries.

SC order on review of Rafale verdict on Wednesday

SC order on review of Rafale verdict on Wednesday

Rediff.com9 Apr 2019

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi will pronounce the verdict.

Is the Rafale deal BJP's Bofors moment?

Is the Rafale deal BJP's Bofors moment?

Rediff.com1 Oct 2018

'So far there is no clear money trail nor an indisputable smoking gun.' 'But that doesn't mean there aren't disturbing questions and a strange resistance by the government to reveal the price, which only adds suspicion to concern,' observes Karan Thapar.

Air India saga: Taxpayers won't have to pay Rs 20 cr/day

Air India saga: Taxpayers won't have to pay Rs 20 cr/day

Rediff.com17 Oct 2021

Two aborted missions, three different ministers, multiple rule changes and two decades later, Indian taxpayers will no longer have to pay Rs 20 crore per day to keep the loss-making Air India flying. While opposition Congress expectedly attacked the decision as selling the family silver, DIPAM secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said what Tata is getting is not a cash cow but an airline which is bleeding where money needs to be pumped in to refurbish obsolete aircraft and dust up strangled ones while being unable to touch any employee for one year and only be able to resize staff after paying a VRS. "It won't be a very easy task there. Only advantage is they (new Air India owner) are paying the price which they think they can manage. "They are not taking the excessive debt accumulated to fund years of losses. We are continuing it as an ongoing concern.... This process has also saved huge amount of taxpayers money going forward," Pandey told PTI.

Rafale case: SC to first decide on Govt objection over document leak

Rafale case: SC to first decide on Govt objection over document leak

Rediff.com14 Mar 2019

The bench said that 'argument on the preliminary issue and the claim of privilege raised by the Government of India is reserved'.

Rafale petitioners guilty of leaking sensitive security info: Govt

Rafale petitioners guilty of leaking sensitive security info: Govt

Rediff.com13 Mar 2019

'This puts the national security in jeopardy,' the Centre said.

Why Modi Won't Do Away With Sedition Law

Why Modi Won't Do Away With Sedition Law

Rediff.com23 Sep 2022

In the last ten years, 96 per cent of the sedition cases against 405 individuals pertained to making critical remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, points out Ramesh Menon, author, Modi Demystified: The Making Of A Prime Minister.

SC verdict on probe into Rafale deal today

SC verdict on probe into Rafale deal today

Rediff.com14 Dec 2018

While reserving the verdict, the apex court had said that the pricing details of Rafale jets could only be discussed after it decides on whether to make it public.

French media report on Rafale kickbacks triggers political slugfest

French media report on Rafale kickbacks triggers political slugfest

Rediff.com10 Nov 2021

A fresh political war of words erupted on Tuesday over the Rafale issue as the Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress leadership of corruption citing claims of a French media report on 'commissions' being paid during the United Progressive Alliance rule and said the Indian National Congress should be renamed 'I Need Commission' party.

Ayodhya verdict: Doctrine of Necessity

Ayodhya verdict: Doctrine of Necessity

Rediff.com9 Nov 2019

'What the long term repercussions of the Ayodhya judgment are will unfold in time.' 'And I hope the consequences are not going to be as damaging to us as they were to Pakistan,' says Aakar Patel.

Do SBI Cards' bad loans have a deeper meaning?

Do SBI Cards' bad loans have a deeper meaning?

Rediff.com2 Nov 2020

If credit card delinquency spells trouble, there may be questions with regard to the much bigger retail sub-categories of car and housing loans, notes T N Ninan.

Mamata meets Sonia, asks Congress to be part of united opposition front

Mamata meets Sonia, asks Congress to be part of united opposition front

Rediff.com28 Mar 2018

Banerjee said the two leaders discussed the current political scenario and strategies to oust the BJP in assembly and Lok Sabha elections at the 20-minute meeting at Gandhi's residence.

Modi to have 'small and compact' Cabinet; meetings on

Modi to have 'small and compact' Cabinet; meetings on

Rediff.com24 May 2014

Amid hectic discussions on formation of the new government, indications emerged on Saturday that Narendra Modi would have a "small and compact" Cabinet that will take oath along with him on May 26 in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Modi to be elected BJP, NDA leader on Tuesday

Modi to be elected BJP, NDA leader on Tuesday

Rediff.com19 May 2014

Narendra Modi is all set to be elected leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the National Democratic Alliance parliamentary coalition on Tuesday as jockeying for positions in the new Cabinet gained momentum on Monday.

When Modi staged a 'coup' against Vajpayee

When Modi staged a 'coup' against Vajpayee

Rediff.com24 Jan 2017

'Modi took to the dais and said he would like to step down as chief minister over the riots.' 'Immediately, people from several sides got up and said there was no need to do so.' 'Whether it was orchestrated or not, Shourie wasn't sure.' 'But, according to him, Vajpayee felt that it was a coup.'

BJP forgets there are Hindus and Hindus

BJP forgets there are Hindus and Hindus

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

'In enacting the citizenship law, the BJP's focus has been so much on consolidating its Hindu vote bank all over the country to divert attention from the economic downturn that the party forgot that there are Hindus and Hindus and that one group of Hindus may not always be warmly embraced by another,' notes Amulya Ganguli.

British used sedition law against Gandhi, Gokhale, is it still needed, asks SC

British used sedition law against Gandhi, Gokhale, is it still needed, asks SC

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over the misuse of "colonial era" penal law on sedition and sought response of the Centre on pleas including the one filed by the Editors Guild of India challenging the validity of the provision.

India Inc must temper sky high expectations: Uday Kotak

India Inc must temper sky high expectations: Uday Kotak

Rediff.com3 May 2015

He lauded the government's 'minimum government and maximum governance' policy.

Stage set for Mamata's mega Opposition rally

Stage set for Mamata's mega Opposition rally

Rediff.com18 Jan 2019

More than 20 national leaders will attend the meeting, TMC sources said. Most of them have already arrived in Kolkata.

SC asks Centre to submit details of pricing of Rafale jets within 10 days

SC asks Centre to submit details of pricing of Rafale jets within 10 days

Rediff.com31 Oct 2018

In its order, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, gave some more leeway to the government which has been arguing that pricing details are so sensitive that they have not even been shared with Parliament.

Modi's rule has not been good for India, says Manmohan

Modi's rule has not been good for India, says Manmohan

Rediff.com26 Oct 2018

'He (Modi) has spoken of being a prime minister for all Indians but he...presides over and has mostly been silent in the face of widespread communal violence, mob lynching and cow vigilantism'

Confessions of a 'Khan Market gang' member

Confessions of a 'Khan Market gang' member

Rediff.com14 Jun 2019

'If Khan Market today -- a neon-drenched spectacle of blingy shops and pricey eateries -- is what it is, it's not due to the dramatic shift in political dispensations, but because free-market India is another country,' notes Sunil Sethi.

SC reserves verdict on plea seeking Rafale order review

SC reserves verdict on plea seeking Rafale order review

Rediff.com10 May 2019

Centre objected to the review petition and said that the basic grounds for seeking review of the verdict are the same as they were in the main petition.

'If BJP wins Bihar polls, the nation will fall into deep pit'

'If BJP wins Bihar polls, the nation will fall into deep pit'

Rediff.com29 Oct 2015

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attacks the BJP, saying that its only intention is to capture absolute power.

AG Venugopal takes u-turn, now claims Rafale documents not stolen

AG Venugopal takes u-turn, now claims Rafale documents not stolen

Rediff.com8 Mar 2019

He now claims that his submission before the SC was that petitioners in the application used "photocopies of the original" papers, deemed secret by the government.

Rafale case: SC allows use of leaked documents

Rafale case: SC allows use of leaked documents

Rediff.com10 Apr 2019

The Centre had submitted that privilege documents were procured by petitioners in an illegal way and used to support their review petitions against the December 14, 2018 judgment of the apex court dismissing all pleas challenging procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.

Why Modi wants to sell government assets

Why Modi wants to sell government assets

Rediff.com24 Oct 2019

'Fiscal purists would quarrel with the idea of selling assets to pay for current expenditure -- such as the payout to farmers and the health insurance programme -- for the obvious reason that the process cannot go on forever.' 'At some point, the list of assets available for sale will run out,' notes T N Ninan.consultations -- something already aired in connection with the lease of airports to the Adani group, says T N Ninan.

SC puts sedition law on hold until review, says no new FIRs

SC puts sedition law on hold until review, says no new FIRs

Rediff.com11 May 2022

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the operation of sedition law, and ruled that all pending cases, appeals and proceedings with respect to charges framed for sedition should be kept in abeyance.

'Achche Din not here but we are moving in the right direction'

'Achche Din not here but we are moving in the right direction'

Rediff.com14 May 2015

ISB professor Krishnamurthy Subramanian tells Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com that Modi government's continuation of tax terrorism is driving away investors.

Rahul must quit as Congress prez 5 years later

Rahul must quit as Congress prez 5 years later

Rediff.com4 Dec 2017

'He is 47 years old and not married. Since his son or daughter can contest for Parliament only 25 years after being born, the earliest, if he marries in December, would be 2043.' 'So this, pretty much, is the end of the road for dynastic rule in the party,' says T C A Srinivasa-Raghavan.