News for 'Bhatia Award for Political Reporting'

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com5 days ago

The trailer of the film, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narain Singh, released on Tuesday and landed straight into controversy. It tracks the stories of three Hindu women from three different states going against their families to marry Muslim men and then being forced to convert.

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com6 days ago

The upcoming Hindi film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' is embroiled in controversy, similar to its predecessor, with accusations of hate propaganda and defenses of legitimate concern over religious conversion.

'Reporter with a poet's pen': Sankarshan Thakur dies at 63

'Reporter with a poet's pen': Sankarshan Thakur dies at 63

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

Sankarshan Thakur, editor of The Telegraph whose prowess with words added that extra edge to his analyses and ground reports, died at a Gurgaon hospital on Monday after prolonged illness. He was 63.

How Congress can redefine party politics

How Congress can redefine party politics

Rediff.com16 Jul 2019

'There is no meritocracy or at least there is none that is visible and transparent.' 'The Congress has two opportunities to change this,' says Aakar Patel.

Indian politics needs to watch out for Ravan

Indian politics needs to watch out for Ravan

Rediff.com18 Sep 2018

'It is only when those who are oppressed stand for themselves that society is forced to create space for them,' says Aakar Patel.

What will we achieve by boycotting Pakistan in World Cup?

What will we achieve by boycotting Pakistan in World Cup?

Rediff.com25 Feb 2019

'Random displays of anger will end in punishment from the IOC and the loss of points in the World Cup, without achieving what we seek,' says Aakar Patel.

What I learnt in Srinagar

What I learnt in Srinagar

Rediff.com21 Jun 2019

'There are no multiplexes, not a single cinema hall and no malls.' 'Because the government in Delhi constantly cuts off mobile services, there is no app-based economy in Srinagar.' 'There are 403 news channels in India, but there is none in Kashmir,' notes Aakar Patel after a journey to the Kashmir valley.

UP will decide if Modi will remain PM

UP will decide if Modi will remain PM

Rediff.com9 May 2019

2019 will be 'a match between the old caste politics and something new which we have not fully understood in UP,' says Aakar Patel.

What I learnt when the government raided my office

What I learnt when the government raided my office

Rediff.com29 Oct 2018

'Almost exclusively, their interest was in the work that we were doing that they thought of as being "anti-national". One of them even used that specific word,' says Aakar Patel.

When will this climate of hate end?

When will this climate of hate end?

Rediff.com19 Mar 2019

'The sentiment against immigrants and particularly against Muslims is produced by the climate of hatred and bigotry we see all around us.' 'It is produced by the politics of division and spread by a reckless media around the world including unfortunately in India,' says Aakar Patel.

Modi prefers total control in his hands

Modi prefers total control in his hands

Rediff.com5 Jun 2019

'Modi personally provides the higher direction of the ministry and the minister then works with bureaucrats on implementation,' points out Aakar Patel.

Ultimate victory in Sabrimala will be of women

Ultimate victory in Sabrimala will be of women

Rediff.com7 Jan 2019

So long as no females were allowed to pray there, the strength of emotion kept the issue burning. As more and more women do this, the matter will fade.

The Swaraj and Sitharaman example

The Swaraj and Sitharaman example

Rediff.com25 Sep 2018

'Two powerful men shaking hands with two powerful women as equals. This photograph made me very happy,' says Aakar Patel.

What the Kashmir masterstroke will mean for our soldiers

What the Kashmir masterstroke will mean for our soldiers

Rediff.com19 Aug 2019

'More members of the Indian Armed Forces have died in Kashmir, North East and Naxal areas than in the 1962 and 1971 wars against Pakistan combined. These deaths are the result of political failure and not war.'

What Rahul needs to do NOW!

What Rahul needs to do NOW!

Rediff.com21 Nov 2018

'There will be an instant and positive change in the way Rahul Gandhi is perceived by millions if he says he is not a candidate for PM,' suggests Aakar Patel.

Why Pulwama won't get Modi more votes

Why Pulwama won't get Modi more votes

Rediff.com24 Apr 2019

'The narrative that is the ruling party is using on Pulwama is not productive.' 'I do not think Modi and the BJP will get more votes because of that incident and the response to it,' says Aakar Patel.

As long as we fix Pakistan we are happy

As long as we fix Pakistan we are happy

Rediff.com4 Mar 2019

'The intensity with which we are focussed on Pakistan, particularly our government and our media, ultimately harms us and reduces our greatness,' argues Aakar Patel.

Why an Indian hero's statue was unveiled in Pakistan

Why an Indian hero's statue was unveiled in Pakistan

Rediff.com10 Jul 2019

'In Pakistan there has been no problem about the installation of the statues of these men, unlike the Jinnah portrait or other controversies that seem to be present in India these days quite regularly,' says Aakar Patel.

Why all parties want to give out money in cash

Why all parties want to give out money in cash

Rediff.com4 Feb 2019

'In India, we are very far away from the per capita incomes of the West. And so the need to support many more people with much more money will come sooner in India than in other nations,' says Aakar Patel.

Sword of State Tyranny is Upon Us

Sword of State Tyranny is Upon Us

Rediff.com12 Feb 2019

'Once the prime minister and the chief ministers of Maharashtra and Haryana pushed for this in 2014 and 2015, we have been trapped in a cycle of violence that gives India a bad name around the world,' says Aakar Patel.

What Chandrayaan-2 will do for India

What Chandrayaan-2 will do for India

Rediff.com22 Jul 2019

'In a part of the world where the government tells people what not to eat and what slogans to shout and not shout, it is beneficial to develop a mentality that is science minded and therefore open-minded.' 'That is possibly why the space programme has always had support from all sides of the political divide,' says Aakar Patel.

Why I salute Azim Premji

Why I salute Azim Premji

Rediff.com12 Jun 2019

'Azim Premji has given away about one-and-a-half lakh crore rupees of his wealth.' 'Most of us will not even know what that sum actually means.' 'To put it into context, it can fund India's health budget and education budget,' points out Aakar Patel.

Why I Voted

Why I Voted

Rediff.com22 May 2019

'There will be millions of us who will feel fear and insecurity because of the menace of majoritarian ideology.' 'It is for the wellbeing and security of those of my fellow Indians, who are affected and who I care for, that I have voted,' says Aakar Patel.

I hope M J Akbar is fired

I hope M J Akbar is fired

Rediff.com15 Oct 2018

'Revelations about his assaults on young women mean that his reputation and all that he has stood for is in tatters for all time,' says Aakar Patel.

Why India has not made a world-beating global invention

Why India has not made a world-beating global invention

Rediff.com15 Jul 2019

'If Indians are as smart as their counterparts in university, and have equal opportunity, then what is the reason that we cannot produce inventions of quality that are recognised by the world?'

Will India turn into a Hindu Rashtra?

Will India turn into a Hindu Rashtra?

Rediff.com14 May 2019

'It is only because of the Congress that we became a secular republic.' 'As we enter a period where another political force has became dominant, it will be interesting to see if this legacy of Nehru and the Congress is sustained or we are taken in a new direction,' says Aakar Patel.

Only two MPs stood up for India's gays

Only two MPs stood up for India's gays

Rediff.com10 Sep 2018

'It would have been much more appropriate if a law such as this, which all of the civilised world has given up, was struck down through democratic politics rather than five individuals sitting in judgement,' says Aakar Patel.

What BJP has and Congress doesn't

What BJP has and Congress doesn't

Rediff.com3 May 2019

'One goal of the Congress would surely have been to rebuild its organisation so that it begins to match that of the BJP.' 'However, this has not happened, though Rahul Gandhi has been in the party for 15 years now,' says Aakar Patel.

How Modi taught Advani a lesson

How Modi taught Advani a lesson

Rediff.com8 Apr 2019

'When he has been retired against his will, Advani appears to have found the merits of tolerance.' 'It took his one-time pupil to teach the old man his own lesson,' says Aakar Patel.

Why is the IAF still buying fighter jets?

Why is the IAF still buying fighter jets?

Rediff.com14 Oct 2019

'We spent Rs 59,000 crore on acquiring 36 Rafales and we do not know if we will ever use them. The chances are that we never will,' argues Aakar Patel.

What every Lok Sabha candidate must know

What every Lok Sabha candidate must know

Rediff.com25 Mar 2019

'We would do well to encourage all Indians to participate in democracy by contesting and laws that prevent or deter individuals and parties should be relooked at,' says Aakar Patel.

What is a decisive and strong leadership?

What is a decisive and strong leadership?

Rediff.com28 Aug 2019

ially powerful ones, usually find themselves surrounded by people who will not oppose them. 'This is because those who are cautious and of a different view will not find satisfaction serving an individual so different from them, producing results they do not agree with,' says Aakar Patel.

Can the Opposition pick itself up?

Can the Opposition pick itself up?

Rediff.com28 May 2019

Nobody understands the deep causes of defeat and victory better than the defeated. The defeated have been to all the battlefields. They have looked into the eyes of their soldiers and those of the opponents, says Aakar Patel.

What are Modi-Shah's plans for Lok Sabha polls?

What are Modi-Shah's plans for Lok Sabha polls?

Rediff.com17 Jan 2019

'The party will keep to the script that its core supporter understands: temples, statues, Muslims and cows.'

ISRO's attempt is the attempt of all mankind

ISRO's attempt is the attempt of all mankind

Rediff.com9 Sep 2019

'Space is dangerous and there will be many failed attempts as we try to use mankind's ingenuity to take the next evolutionary step.'

Mammoth challenges India faces

Mammoth challenges India faces

Rediff.com4 Sep 2019

'As a nation we are tearing ourselves apart through decisions we have deliberately chosen to take,' argues Aakar Patel.

Of all assembly polls since 2014, these are most important

Of all assembly polls since 2014, these are most important

Rediff.com10 Dec 2018

'The confidence of the Opposition will go up and alliances will be easier to form if it becomes apparent that the BJP is losing ground in the north of India,' says Aakar Patel.

Will submit to the majesty of law: Sidhu on SC order

Will submit to the majesty of law: Sidhu on SC order

Rediff.com19 May 2022

Sidhu was in Patiala to take part in a protest against inflation when the Supreme Court verdict came in.

Why dance bar judgment is absolutely right

Why dance bar judgment is absolutely right

Rediff.com25 Jan 2019

'The same instinct that thinks that women should remain at home and not be at the workplace, objects to the dance bar.'

Ayodhya must inspire faith, not hate

Ayodhya must inspire faith, not hate

Rediff.com26 Nov 2018

'It is not with feelings of devotion or piety that these people are gathering.' 'It is mostly with emotions of hatred.' 'Listen to their slogans and their rhetoric and this becomes immediately clear,' says Aakar Patel.