News for 'Citizens for Democracy'

Present wave of protests will deepen India's democratic roots: Pranab

Present wave of protests will deepen India's democratic roots: Pranab

Rediff.com24 Jan 2020

He also cautioned that while India's tryst with democracy is a story which needs to be told time and again, 'complacency enables authoritarian tendencies to gain ground'.

HC denies bail to Umar Khalid in Delhi riots case

HC denies bail to Umar Khalid in Delhi riots case

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

The Delhi high court on Tuesday refused to grant bail to former Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid in a Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case related to alleged conspiracy behind the riots here in February 2020.

The Truth BBC Will Not Tell You...

The Truth BBC Will Not Tell You...

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

If Mr Modi is to be blamed for the post-Godhra riots, he should also be given credit for maintaining peace after the Akshardham and Ahmedabad terror attacks. The BBC will never tell you that, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Buoyed by increasing minority support in NE, Modi now sets eyes on Kerala

Buoyed by increasing minority support in NE, Modi now sets eyes on Kerala

Rediff.com3 Mar 2023

Modi hit out at the Congress for its president Mallikarjun Kharge's attempt to play down his party's poor show in the polls by describing it as "small state elections".

Is Republic Day truly worth a celebration?

Is Republic Day truly worth a celebration?

Rediff.com19 Jan 2021

Our pledge on this Republic Day must be to use those parts of the Constitution that are still on our side and take back our rights and liberties lawfully from the State, which has usurped them, asserts Aakar Patel.

Days after Veep's criticism, CJI hails basic structure doctrine

Days after Veep's criticism, CJI hails basic structure doctrine

Rediff.com21 Jan 2023

The remarks by the CJI came against the backdrop of the recent remarks by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar who questioned the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati case verdict that gave the basic structure doctrine.

Deeply hurt by Oppn's Constitution Day boycott, says LS speaker Birla

Deeply hurt by Oppn's Constitution Day boycott, says LS speaker Birla

Rediff.com26 Nov 2021

Expressing 'pain' over opposition parties boycotting the Constitution Day event organised by the Lok Sabha secretariat on Friday, speaker Om Birla said staying away from such non-partisan events held by Parliament is not good for the health of democracy.

Is Peace in Ukraine Possible?

Is Peace in Ukraine Possible?

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

The responsibility for peace in Ukraine now rests in the hands of the two principal belligerents, Russia and the US, and the prime victim of this great power rivalry, Ukraine, points out Nitin Desai.

'Is BJP above the law? Is Mr Adani above the law?'

'Is BJP above the law? Is Mr Adani above the law?'

Rediff.com8 Mar 2023

'If they are not, then the Modi government should order a JPC immediately.'

Don't Expect Favours From Rishi

Don't Expect Favours From Rishi

Rediff.com27 Oct 2022

Some believe that, as prime minister, Sunak will be particularly friendly to India and that he would return the Kohinoor and do similar gestures to his motherland. Such wishful thinking is not likely to materialise as he will act in the best interests of the UK and will not even appear to favour India, argues Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Modi assures J-K youth in first visit after abrogation of Article 370

Modi assures J-K youth in first visit after abrogation of Article 370

Rediff.com24 Apr 2022

Reaching out to the youth of the Kashmir Valley, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spelled out initiatives for peace and development, and assured they will not inherit the problems faced by their parents and grandparents.

Kangana files FIR over threats about her farmers' protests posts

Kangana files FIR over threats about her farmers' protests posts

Rediff.com30 Nov 2021

Actor Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday said that she has filed an FIR after allegedly receiving threats over her posts on farmers' protests.

Manipur: Not A Time To Burn Bridges

Manipur: Not A Time To Burn Bridges

Rediff.com7 Jun 2023

The present happenings in Manipur are the wages of continued neglect, and not so benign at that, of a vital region and its people. Had we lavished on the North East even a fraction of the care and resources we do on Kashmir, things would not have come to this pass, asserts Shreekant Sambrani.

'I don't think one Rajapaksa can survive this storm'

'I don't think one Rajapaksa can survive this storm'

Rediff.com16 May 2022

'The Rajapaksas have been in active politics for decades and survived many challenges, but they seem to have misread this one.'

On Justice Gowri's appointment, SC says cannot quash collegium's recco

On Justice Gowri's appointment, SC says cannot quash collegium's recco

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

The Supreme Court, which had on February 7 refused to entertain two pleas seeking to restrain Lekshmana Chandra Victoria Gowri from taking oath as an additional judge of the Madras high court, on Friday pronounced the reasons for the dismissal of the petitions.

Modi govt has committed treason, alleges Rahul on NYT's Pegasus report

Modi govt has committed treason, alleges Rahul on NYT's Pegasus report

Rediff.com29 Jan 2022

The Congress on Saturday attacked the Centre over a New York Times report which claimed that the Indian government bought the Pegasus spy tool in 2017 as part of a deal with Israel, alleging that the government indulged in illegal snooping using the spyware which amounts to 'treason.'

BJP members disrupted Parl panel meet on Pegasus: Tharoor

BJP members disrupted Parl panel meet on Pegasus: Tharoor

Rediff.com8 Aug 2021

Tharoor put the blame for the logjam in Parliament on BJP and accused the saffron party of reducing the "temple of democracy to a rubber stamp for its agenda or worse, a notice board to announce its unilateral decisions".

MEA slams US report that downgraded India to partly free

MEA slams US report that downgraded India to "partly free"

Rediff.com5 Mar 2021

Asked about the report, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "The political judgements of Freedom House are as inaccurate and distorted as their maps."

Quota for economically weaker sections unconstitutional, petitioners tell SC

Quota for economically weaker sections unconstitutional, petitioners tell SC

Rediff.com13 Sep 2022

The Centre's decision to grant 10 per cent quota for the EWS category in admissions and jobs violates the basic structure of the Constitution on multiple counts including that it breaches the 50 per cent cap on reservation, the Supreme Court was told on Tuesday.

Adani stock crash rocks Parliament for second day

Adani stock crash rocks Parliament for second day

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

Proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were disrupted as Opposition members raised slogans demanding a discussion and a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the fraud-allegation-triggered rout.

'Without an independent judiciary, we will become a banana republic'

'Without an independent judiciary, we will become a banana republic'

Rediff.com7 Nov 2022

'Is the idea of a committed judiciary once again being floated, though surreptitiously, unlike in the past when it was direct?'

Kerala panchayat bans use of 'sir/madam' to address officials

Kerala panchayat bans use of 'sir/madam' to address officials

Rediff.com2 Sep 2021

Don't get amused if officials of a local village panchayat in Palakkad, Kerala, are seen politely persuading visitors to call them by their name or designation instead of usual salutations like 'sir' or 'madam'.

'Aadhaar is very dangerous for the Indian nation'

'Aadhaar is very dangerous for the Indian nation'

Rediff.com25 Apr 2017

'By taking fingerprints, iris scans and other details of citizens, the State is becoming the custodian of its people.' 'The State can use this data according to its whims and fancies, which is not good in a democracy.' 'When the State looks at all the activities of its citizens, it becomes a police State.'

Priyanka meets SP women workers 'attacked' by BJP during panchayat polls

Priyanka meets SP women workers 'attacked' by BJP during panchayat polls

Rediff.com17 Jul 2021

In a terse message to the ruling party, Priyanka in a Hindi tweet said, 'The goons of the BJP involved in 'cheerharan' of the democracy should hear that women will become pradhans, block pramukhs, MLAs, MPs and prime minister, and defeat the government, which gives patronage to those committing atrocities against women.'

Full text: President Murmu's address to Parliament's Budget Session

Full text: President Murmu's address to Parliament's Budget Session

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

'Wherever in the world there is political instability, those countries are beset with severe crises today. But India is in a much better position than the rest of the world due to the decisions taken by my government in the national interest,' President Droupadi Murmu said in her address to both Houses of Parliament.

Full Text: President's address to nation on the eve of Republic Day

Full Text: President's address to nation on the eve of Republic Day

Rediff.com25 Jan 2022

Here's the full text of address to the nation by President Ram Nath Kovind on the eve of the Republic Day 2022.

SC refuses to expunge Madras HC remarks against EC

SC refuses to expunge Madras HC remarks against EC

Rediff.com7 May 2021

A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud acknowledged that the Madras high court's remarks were 'harsh', but did not expunge them, saying they do not form part of the judicial order.

High Commission rejects reports of Mahinda, family fleeing to India

High Commission rejects reports of Mahinda, family fleeing to India

Rediff.com11 May 2022

The whereabouts of Mahinda Rajapaksa is being speculated since his resignation on Monday.

'We are losing our independence more and more'

'We are losing our independence more and more'

Rediff.com19 Sep 2022

'Laws have been used in a way to serve the needs of the current regime and its authoritarian ideology.'

'The government says what we do is fine and everybody must accept it'

'The government says what we do is fine and everybody must accept it'

Rediff.com30 Jun 2022

'They don't want anybody to stand up and support the vulnerable sections of society who may be targeted.'

Indian students among victims of racism in war-torn Ukraine: Mandela Foundation

Indian students among victims of racism in war-torn Ukraine: Mandela Foundation

Rediff.com6 Mar 2022

Some complained of being beaten up as they tried to join the fleeing crowds, purely because of their skin colour.

Jama Masjid Shahi Imam urges Modi, Shah to quell winds of hatred

Jama Masjid Shahi Imam urges Modi, Shah to quell winds of hatred

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

The Shahi Imam also said he will soon seek an appointment to meet Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, saying the meeting was necessary in order to safeguard Hindus, Muslims, democracy and secularism in the country.

Democratic aatma is under attack: Magsaysay winner Ravish Kumar

Democratic aatma is under attack: Magsaysay winner Ravish Kumar

Rediff.com6 Sep 2019

In his Manila speech, Kumar spoke about the current 'testing times' for journalists and common citizens.

Is Xi Scared of Tiananmen 1989?

Is Xi Scared of Tiananmen 1989?

Rediff.com4 Jun 2021

Why omit the Tiananmen massacre from the history of China's Communist party, asks Claude Arpi.

'Muslims in India will learn to live as second class citizens'

'Muslims in India will learn to live as second class citizens'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2014

'Muslims in India have been suffering in many ways. Yet, they are proud Indians and love India as much as any other Indian community.'

Opposition should aim for 2029

Opposition should aim for 2029

Rediff.com7 Sep 2021

The Opposition must understand that while 2024 may draw mileage from the growing resentment towards the BJP, the real battle and proof of how well India learnt from its disastrous dalliance with the Right-wing, will be in 2029, observes Shyam G Menon.

Congress, govt face off in Parliament over ED action in Herald case

Congress, govt face off in Parliament over ED action in Herald case

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

The Congress on Thursday raised the issue of Enforcement Directorate action and police gherao of its party office and the residences of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, with Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge saying in the Rajya Sabha that he has been summoned by the ED at a time when Parliament is in session.

Covid fight: 4 faultlines India must address

Covid fight: 4 faultlines India must address

Rediff.com31 May 2021

Rather than worry about what picture of India is being painted in the foreign media, the focus must be on marshalling all our energies to provide relief and solace to our deeply wounded and dispirited citizens, says former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

'NRC has turned many into foreigners in their country'

'NRC has turned many into foreigners in their country'

Rediff.com5 Sep 2019

Tharoor said: "You have taken people who know no other home but India, who have lived here, in many cases since 1971. Many people have lives, families, career, property, and everything in our country and now they are suddenly told they are foreigners and must be shunted to concentration camps."

India's interests tied with countries at war, but we want peace: Modi

India's interests tied with countries at war, but we want peace: Modi

Rediff.com11 Mar 2022

Amid a war between Russia and Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India's several needs are connected to the involved countries but it is on the side of peace and hopes that all problems get resolved through dialogue.