News for 'Banias'

Assam varsity shut after protest against VC over corruption charges

Assam varsity shut after protest against VC over corruption charges

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Students at Tezpur University in Assam have shut down the institution, protesting against Vice Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh over allegations of corruption and financial irregularities. The shutdown has led to the cancellation of end-term examinations and has garnered support from teachers and non-teaching staff.

'Why My Great Grandfather Mohanlal...'

'Why My Great Grandfather Mohanlal...'

Rediff.com30 Aug 2025

'... had gone to South Africa from India over a hundred years ago.'

Will The Caste Census Boomerang On Modi?

Will The Caste Census Boomerang On Modi?

Rediff.com3 May 2025

The government has to specify what it intends to do with caste census data. It will be closely tracked if the government would simultaneously move towards removing the present 50% bar on reservations using means which are permitted in law. If this is not done, the entire exercise will become meaningless and could boomerang on the BJP, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

BJP mulls 2 deputy CMs in Delhi to reflect 'mini' India

BJP mulls 2 deputy CMs in Delhi to reflect 'mini' India

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

The BJP is considering having two deputy chief ministers in the new Delhi government to represent the city as a "mini" India, party leaders said. The move is aimed at accommodating MLAs from different castes, communities, and regional backgrounds. The proposal is under consideration by the national leadership, which will also decide on the chief minister and other ministers. The process of government formation is expected to gain momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his foreign visit over the weekend.

Meet Delhi's new cabinet: A diverse power mix

Meet Delhi's new cabinet: A diverse power mix

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

The cabinet of the new government led by Rekha Gupta balances representation of all major communities that propelled the Bharatiya Janata Party to power in Delhi with a massive majority after over 26 years.

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

'Peninsular Indians could ask 'Why should we contribute half of India's tax revenues if we account for only a quarter of the seats in the Lok Sabha?'.' 'The rest of the country seems likely to counter that 'democracy means one vote per person irrespective of where that person resides in India'.' 'With no easy answers to this thorny debate, the south's economic ascendancy could end up creating a Hobson's choice.' A revealing excerpt from Nandita Rajhansa and Saurabh Mukherjea's book, Behold the Leviathan: The Unusual Rise of Modern India.

HC refuses to quash proceedings against Kejriwal

HC refuses to quash proceedings against Kejriwal

Rediff.com2 Sep 2024

The Delhi high court on Monday refused to quash the proceedings against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other Aam Aadmi Party leaders in a defamation case over their remarks about alleged deletion of the names of 30 lakh voters belonging to some communities from electoral rolls in the national capital.

'BJP Micromanaged 48 Seats We Won'

'BJP Micromanaged 48 Seats We Won'

Rediff.com11 Oct 2024

'Every Haryana assembly seat has its own unique problems to earn victory for a political party and you as a politician need to know what are those issues and tackle it.'

Will perform jauhar if ..., Gujarat's Rajput women warn BJP

Will perform jauhar if ..., Gujarat's Rajput women warn BJP

Rediff.com6 Apr 2024

The police detained five women and Shree Rajput Karni Sena president Mahipal Singh Makrana before he could meet them in Ahmedabad.

Is Maharashtra A Lost Cause For Modi?

Is Maharashtra A Lost Cause For Modi?

Rediff.com10 Jul 2024

'There are legions of unemployed degree holders across rural and semi-urban belts in Maharashtra. Now, they aren't finding brides.' 'This issue has now snowballed into a social crisis. In 2014 and 2019, they had voted for the BJP.'

Biggest challenge for BJP, allies in Maharashtra assembly polls is...

Biggest challenge for BJP, allies in Maharashtra assembly polls is...

Rediff.com9 Jul 2024

'The BJP alliance needs to handle the Maratha quota issue skilfully and address its root cause, which is agrarian distress. Then there is stalled industrialisation. If these issues are addressed, caste fault lines would wither away. But, this is next to impossible in a short span of three-four months.'

'This Election Captures The Evolution Of India From 2014 To 2024'

'This Election Captures The Evolution Of India From 2014 To 2024'

Rediff.com4 May 2024

'2019 was fought on delivery. But in 2024, you can see the before and after effects.'

Has Congress Flunked Ram-Given Revival Opportunity?

Has Congress Flunked Ram-Given Revival Opportunity?

Rediff.com22 Jan 2024

Wouldn't it be better to join the celebrations with the vast Hindu majority while at the same time criticising Mr Modi/BJP/RSS for politicising it? notes Shekhar Gupta.

Gandhi wasn't anti-business, anti-capitalist: Book

Gandhi wasn't anti-business, anti-capitalist: Book

Rediff.com2 Oct 2021

Economist Gandhi: The Roots and the Relevance of the Political Economy of the Mahatma by retired entrepreneur Jerry Rao provides insights into a hidden facet of Gandhi's personality -- his thoughts on economics and capitalism -- and also highlights some of his views on religion, ethics, human nature, education and society.

The Rakesh Jhunjhunwala I Knew

The Rakesh Jhunjhunwala I Knew

Rediff.com29 Aug 2022

A family man, a confident investor, someone who was sure two decades ago that India and its stock market were going to boom. T N Ninan recalls his chats with Rakesh Jhunjhunwala.

US makes it easier for H-1B spouses to take up employment

US makes it easier for H-1B spouses to take up employment

Rediff.com12 Nov 2021

In yet another immigration-friendly move that would benefit thousands of Indian-American women, the Biden administration has agreed to provide automatic work authorisation permits to the spouses of H-1B visa holders, most of whom are Indian IT professionals.

'If you take Hindutva out of BJP they are better in governance'

'If you take Hindutva out of BJP they are better in governance'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2023

'Earlier, a lot of fear was in the minds of people that the BJP is anti-Christian and anti-minority, but over the years people have learnt to accept that the BJP is just another national party.'

'Abolish reservations and private education!'

'Abolish reservations and private education!'

Rediff.com19 Mar 2021

'Where should shudra-OBCs go because of whom the nation is surviving?'

Modi's Surgical Strike

Modi's Surgical Strike

Rediff.com12 Jul 2021

Modi seems to have an innate faith in his capabilities to handle the myriad challenges confronting the nation and would rather manage the affairs of the nation as a CEO would of a large industrial-business empire, observes Virendra Kapoor.

You won't need reservation after 25 years if...

You won't need reservation after 25 years if...

Rediff.com8 Jan 2019

'Education in private and public schools should be in English and in one regional language; it will solve the entire reservation issue.'

''Are only lower caste politicians corrupt?'

''Are only lower caste politicians corrupt?'

Rediff.com28 Dec 2017

'(Upper caste) leaders talk against the Constitution, reservations and the nation and still get away.'

Heads Rolled, But Buck Stopped

Heads Rolled, But Buck Stopped

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

The BJP ignored the principle of the Cabinet's joint responsibility and the adage of the buck stopping at the top, observes Amulya Ganguli.

Who's the real 'Chatur Baniya'?

Who's the real 'Chatur Baniya'?

Rediff.com19 Aug 2017

'Even if the BJP's hope of a Congress-mukt Bharat is realised, it will still have to contend with Mr Gandhi's god-like status in the foreseeable future,' says Amulya Ganguli.

China diary: Paris of the Orient

China diary: Paris of the Orient

Rediff.com5 Aug 2008

Today Shanghai is recognised as China's smartest city as well as its financial capital, its industrial heartland, its fashion centre.

Caste battle in Pilot bastion

Caste battle in Pilot bastion

Rediff.com4 May 2009

Dausa, represented by the Pilot family for 25 years, sees a complicated contest with no Pilot around.

174 Indians file lawsuit against Trump's proclamation on H-1B

174 Indians file lawsuit against Trump's proclamation on H-1B

Rediff.com16 Jul 2020

The lawsuit seeks an order declaring the presidential proclamation restriction on issuing new H-1B or H4 visas or admitting new H-1B or H-4 visa holders as unlawful.

Is Pakistani leopard changing its spots?

Is Pakistani leopard changing its spots?

Rediff.com25 Mar 2021

All Pakistani moves towards peace will be seen as tactical compromises, to be abandoned when the situation changes, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Why the Poor vote for Modi, and Rich vote for Left

Why the Poor vote for Modi, and Rich vote for Left

Rediff.com5 Jul 2021

Why are the poor turning Right instead of turning toward far-Left parties, ponders Pranab Bardhan.

If we all earned millions...

If we all earned millions...

Rediff.com26 Jul 2005

How Govt can win over farmers

How Govt can win over farmers

Rediff.com18 Dec 2020

'As of now, it is hard to see how the stalemate can be broken.' 'For the Sikh Jat farmers who constitute the core of the protest are a simple-minded but stubborn lot. 'They are unlikely to call off the stir unless provided a sense of 'victory'.' 'Give them a reason to boast that they brought the government to its knees and they will start singing hallelujahs to the Modi government,' argues Virendra Kapoor.

'Modi is not defending SC/ST Atrocities Act'

'Modi is not defending SC/ST Atrocities Act'

Rediff.com26 Mar 2018

'In 2013, Modi said his government would be of Dalits and OBCs.' 'During his tenure, the highest number of atrocities have taken place.' 'What they want is that this Ambedkar Constitution must not be practised in India in the future.'

Modi promises bonanza to traders if re-elected

Modi promises bonanza to traders if re-elected

Rediff.com19 Apr 2019

If re-elected, his government will set up a National Traders' Welfare Board, bring trader credit cards and a pension scheme for small shopkeepers besides making a provision to provide loans of up to Rs 50 lakh without collateral.

Mr Modi, let a Dalit girl break the coconut at Ram temple

Mr Modi, let a Dalit girl break the coconut at Ram temple

Rediff.com3 Aug 2020

If the PM gives the historic opportunity of laying the foundation stone of the Ram temple to a Dalit girl, it will send a transformational message to the Dalits in India and will give them a sense of belongingness, says Dr Sudhir Bisht.

BJP in a fix over CM face in Delhi

BJP in a fix over CM face in Delhi

Rediff.com18 Jul 2019

With four contenders for the top post in case the BJP wrests power from AAP, party sources say naming of a CM face may trigger factional fights.

BJP MLA's sting criticising PM, Shah leaves party red-faced

BJP MLA's sting criticising PM, Shah leaves party red-faced

Rediff.com27 Jun 2015

Purohit had allegedly said in the sting video that there is no collective leadership in the BJP. Only two people take decisions and others merely implement it.

Where does Modi's Hindu nationalism go from here?

Where does Modi's Hindu nationalism go from here?

Rediff.com6 Nov 2019

'Will Muslims in large numbers react positively, especially in the context of the events of the last thirty years?' 'In the process, could Modi end up alienating his core supporters?' A fascinating excerpt from Jaithirth Rao's The Indian Conservative : A History of Indian Right-Wing Thought.

When Hindus ate beef, India was NEVER conquered

When Hindus ate beef, India was NEVER conquered

Rediff.com24 Mar 2015

'There is a remarkable link between the eating of beef (or at the very least, tolerating the eating of beef) and India being a superpower.' 'In India, whenever an empire was strong, religion took a back seat.' 'Alternatively, whenever religion asserted itself, the main empire of India crumbled...'

K'taka govt is 'gold medalist' in graft, Cong leaders 'drunk on power': Modi

K'taka govt is 'gold medalist' in graft, Cong leaders 'drunk on power': Modi

Rediff.com3 May 2018

Modi said that the JD-S was going to finish a "poor, distant third".

RJD Debacle: End of the Lalu dynasty?

RJD Debacle: End of the Lalu dynasty?

Rediff.com4 Jun 2019

'The poor manner in which the RJD stitched its alliance and mismanaged its electioneering, now reveals that Tejashwi was more interested in enhancing his political stature by cutting down many senior leaders, by downsizing and shrinking RJD allies, by displaying arrogance and inaccessibility and by committing silly mistakes in candidate selection,' points out Mohammad Sajjad.

Nothing wrong in celebrating our city, our state

Nothing wrong in celebrating our city, our state

Rediff.com24 Jul 2017

'Opposition to the idea of a state flag has come from the small thinking pseudo-nationalists, who are the ones pushing Hindi-Hindu-Hindustan.' 'Identifying India wrongly as a one language, one religion nation,' says Aakar Patel.