News for 'Communities and Local Government'

Fundraiser for Indian man beheaded in US raises $200,000

Fundraiser for Indian man beheaded in US raises $200,000

Rediff.com13 Sep 2025

A fundraiser launched to support Nagamallaiah's wife, Nisha, and 18-year-old son, Gaurav - who witnessed the attack - has raised nearly $200,000, at last reckoning, to help cover funeral expenses and Gaurav's college education.

SC stray dog order: Animal lovers clash with cops in Delhi during protest

SC stray dog order: Animal lovers clash with cops in Delhi during protest

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Many also displayed a picture of Lord Shiva with a dog seated next to him, symbolising the cultural and spiritual connection between humans and animals.

OpenAI to set up first India office in 2025

OpenAI to set up first India office in 2025

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

OpenAI on Friday said it will set up its first India office in New Delhi later this year, underlining the swift uptake of its AI tools in a market that is ChatGPT's second-largest after the US and among its fastest-growing. OpenAI said it has officially established an entity in India and has begun hiring a dedicated local team.

Ajmer dargah row as politicians, community leaders weigh in

Ajmer dargah row as politicians, community leaders weigh in

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

A local court in Ajmer has issued notices to the dargah committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India on a plea seeking to declare the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti a temple. The petition, filed in September, has sparked a heated debate, with politicians and community leaders weighing in on the potentially volatile issue. The dargah committee has declined to comment, but the Anjuman Syed Zadgan, a body representing the caretakers of the dargah, described the petition as a deliberate attempt to fracture society along communal lines. The petition comes just days after four people were killed in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following a local court ordering survey of a Mughal-era shrine. The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which fixed August 15, 1947, as the cut-off date for status quo on the character of religious places, is at the centre of much of the debate. Several politicians, including Union minister Giriraj Singh and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, have weighed in on the issue. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called the civil court's decision to entertain the petition unwarranted and has asked the Supreme Court to immediately intervene.

World's Top Schools Set Sights On India

World's Top Schools Set Sights On India

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

In the academic year 2024-2025, the IB had 258 authorised schools in India, up from 183 schools in 2019.

'Money Alone Does Not Buy Trust Or Votes'

'Money Alone Does Not Buy Trust Or Votes'

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

'Bihar's voters' electoral memory is long, and their evaluations are relational; who came to the village, who followed up, who resolved a problem.'

The Politics of A Caste Census

The Politics of A Caste Census

Rediff.com2 May 2025

While data can empower communities, it reinforces identities, making local politics more caste-centric, with decisions increasingly contested on the grounds of representation.

Such dynamics could lead to shifting alliances and, in the worst case, local governance getting paralysed as each group demands proportional power-sharing, explain Amitabh Kundu and Mehebub Rahaman.

Maratha Quota Stir: 'Business Is Affected'

Maratha Quota Stir: 'Business Is Affected'

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

'All commercial and banking transactions happen in South Mumbai.'

Manipur BJP MLAs propose roadmap to end conflict, call for popular govt

Manipur BJP MLAs propose roadmap to end conflict, call for popular govt

Rediff.com31 May 2025

They said that such a solution must rest on the pillars of political will, inclusive dialogue, constitutional safeguards and impartial endorsement of law and order.

'There's No Such Thing As A Permanent Job Anymore'

'There's No Such Thing As A Permanent Job Anymore'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

'There are still plenty of jobs out there -- but not enough people with the right skills to fill them.'

Will Nitish Surprise Modi Or Vice Versa After Bihar Poll?

Will Nitish Surprise Modi Or Vice Versa After Bihar Poll?

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

The BJP's MoSha leadership are past masters in encouraging defections from their allies if it helped their party capture the chief minister's chair. In Bihar, they are not sure if JD-U MPs and MLAs would be willing to cross over to the BJP if the Nitish leadership came on top -- and the NDA crossed the halfway mark together, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

New threat for security agencies: 'Bedroom jihadis' stoking unrest in J-K

New threat for security agencies: 'Bedroom jihadis' stoking unrest in J-K

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir are facing a new threat from 'bedroom jihadis' who use social media to spread misinformation and incite communal discord. These individuals, operating from their homes, are part of a sophisticated cross-border effort to destabilize the region by disseminating inflammatory content and propaganda.

Bihar records highest-ever 65% turnout in first phase of polls

Bihar records highest-ever 65% turnout in first phase of polls

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

The first phase of Bihar assembly elections saw a moderate pace of polling across 121 constituencies, with 53.77% voter turnout reported till 3 pm. Sporadic incidents of violence were also reported. Key leaders are in the fray for both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc.

'This Election Marks End Of Nitish-Lalu Era'

'This Election Marks End Of Nitish-Lalu Era'

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

'If the RJD loses it would be out of power for nearly 25 years. Meanwhile, the JD-U will have survival issues if it gets less number of seats.'

Bathing, cooking: Maratha protesters turn SoBo into campsite

Bathing, cooking: Maratha protesters turn SoBo into campsite

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

Thousands of Maratha community members have turned the area surrounding Azad Maidan in Mumbai into a camp during their agitation for quota, disrupting traffic and daily life.

Assam seeks Singapore's help in Zubeen death probe

Assam seeks Singapore's help in Zubeen death probe

Rediff.com29 Sep 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the state government has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore to secure full cooperation from authorities in the case of singer Zubeen Garg's death.

'Irreparable Harm If Govt Takes Over Waqf Properties'

'Irreparable Harm If Govt Takes Over Waqf Properties'

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

'Only because of the absence of a dedication record in writing, how can such properties be treated as located on misappropriated government land?'

Boy ends life after losing father's Rs 14 lakh in online game

Boy ends life after losing father's Rs 14 lakh in online game

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The boy's father returned home after lodging a complaint with the bank manager, and narrated the matter to his family, the police said.

'Only BJP Can Defeat BJP In Gujarat'

'Only BJP Can Defeat BJP In Gujarat'

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

'The BJP's top leadership realised that their cadres are not happy with them, so they changed the ministers and got in new faces.'

RCB Cares: IPL champions' 6-point plan for better crowd control

RCB Cares: IPL champions' 6-point plan for better crowd control

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

RCB will work closely with IPL and KSCA to design better crowd management protocols after 11 people were crushed to death in a stampede during the team's trophy IPL title celebrations in June.

SIR showdown in Bengal: Mamata, BJP hold rallies

SIR showdown in Bengal: Mamata, BJP hold rallies

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Thousands of TMC supporters thronged the rally route, waving the party flags, raising slogans and holding aloft colourful posters.

Himachal: 2 brothers marry same woman as per tribal tradition

Himachal: 2 brothers marry same woman as per tribal tradition

Rediff.com20 Jul 2025

Two brothers from the Hatti tribe in Himachal Pradesh married one woman in a traditional polyandry ceremony, a practice still observed in some tribal communities to preserve land and family unity.

Stray dog problem due to inaction, says SC; reserves order

Stray dog problem due to inaction, says SC; reserves order

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

A two-judge bench of the top court had on August 11 directed authorities in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) to start picking up stray dogs from all localities "at the earliest" and relocate the animals to dog shelters.

After Bihar, Is It Target Stalin For BJP?

After Bihar, Is It Target Stalin For BJP?

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

After big win in Bihar, the BJP is likely to push harder in Tamil Nadu, where the DMK government and the uneasy BJP-AIADMK alliance are preparing for a tense election filled with seat-sharing fights, changing alliances, and the unpredictable entry of Vijay's TVK party, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy.

'This Reshuffle Is Classic Modi-Shah Showmanship'

'This Reshuffle Is Classic Modi-Shah Showmanship'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

'If the BJP seriously addresses employment, examination integrity and systemic corruption, they might salvage their position. Otherwise, they are heading toward serious trouble in 2027.'

Family places dead man in cow dung hoping for revival

Family places dead man in cow dung hoping for revival

Rediff.com7 Sep 2025

In a bizarre incident in Jharkhand's Latehar district, police had to persuade relatives of a lightning strike victim to hand over the body for post-mortem after they kept it in a mound of cow dung, hoping he would come back to life.

When Gujarati Muslims Dominated Bombay Politics

When Gujarati Muslims Dominated Bombay Politics

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'They wanted the city to be a great business hub. They didn't like the fact that taxes collected in Bombay would go outside the city.'

Tribals Fear New Threats As Naxalism Fades

Tribals Fear New Threats As Naxalism Fades

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

If the threat from the 'Maovadis' (Maoists) is fading, the danger now lies with the 'MoUvadis' -- those who might exploit the resource-rich Abujhmad region through corporate or State-backed projects.

How Will Nuns' Arrest Affect Kerala Politics?

How Will Nuns' Arrest Affect Kerala Politics?

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

The current situation in Kerala politics is perhaps best described as a case of the state's traditional two front politics now seeing a third front (the BJP) muscling in with the potential outcome being either a messy three front affair or a renewed endorsement of the two front pattern but with one of the old fronts compromised or quashed, observes Shyam G Menon.

Maharashtra leads in FPO ease of doing business; MP loses crown

Maharashtra leads in FPO ease of doing business; MP loses crown

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Maharashtra has topped the list of states with the most favourable ecosystem for the growth of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), replacing Madhya Pradesh, which has slipped to second place, according to the latest Ease of Doing Business for FPOs (EoDBF) ranking.

Historic first: Indian NGO 'Educate Girls' wins Magsaysay award

Historic first: Indian NGO 'Educate Girls' wins Magsaysay award

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

Indian non-profit 'Educate Girls' wins the Ramon Magsaysay Award for its work in educating out-of-school girls in remote villages. The award recognizes selfless service to the peoples of Asia.

Will Cash Transfer Win Bihar For Modi?

Will Cash Transfer Win Bihar For Modi?

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

If women voters are mobilised in big numbers to the voting booths on November 6 and 11 by the Nitish Kumar-led NDA, then it will be quite difficult for the Tejashwi Yadav-led Mahagathbandhan to defeat the incumbent government, points out Sheela Bhatt.

UP farmer's son elected mayor of UK's Wellingborough

UP farmer's son elected mayor of UK's Wellingborough

Rediff.com17 May 2025

News of his election brought much cheer among his friends and family back in Mirzapur.

Indian man beheaded in US: Trump blames Biden's policy

Indian man beheaded in US: Trump blames Biden's policy

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

US President Donald Trump has condemned the murder of an Indian-origin motel manager in Dallas, allegedly by an undocumented Cuban immigrant, blaming the Biden administration's immigration policies.

Crime against children records 9.2% rise in 2023: NCRB

Crime against children records 9.2% rise in 2023: NCRB

Rediff.com1 Oct 2025

The data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau showed that the crime rate in 2023 stood at 39.9 per one-lakh child population, in comparison to 36.6 in 2022.

'BJP Will Replace Nitish Kumar If...'

'BJP Will Replace Nitish Kumar If...'

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

'If the NDA returns with the BJP substantially ahead of the JD-U, a BJP CM bid becomes plausible; if the gap is narrow or JD-U holds pivotal seats, continuity with Nitish is the lower-risk option.'

Nuns' arrest misunderstanding, bail soon: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Nuns' arrest misunderstanding, bail soon: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated that the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh was due to a 'misunderstanding' and that they will be released on bail soon. He met with Archbishop of Trichur Andrews Thazhath to brief him that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister have assured the nuns would be released on bail.

Dream On... Viksit Bharat

Dream On... Viksit Bharat

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

Can change happen? Not unless the changemakers themselves want it since they benefit the most from the status quo, warns Biswajit Dasgupta.

Sardar Patel, The Man Who United India

Sardar Patel, The Man Who United India

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

The rising tide of Indian nationalism meant that the people of princely states now were keen to become a part of a united and integrated India rather than remain subjects of a princely state. The Congress too supported the people's wish and it fell upon Patel to get the princes to agree. He did so magnificently, using every trick available, whether it was sweet talk or coercion; the rulers buckled and Patel earned the eternal gratitude of the entire nation.

Journalist booked for sedition over remarks on Centre, Assam govt

Journalist booked for sedition over remarks on Centre, Assam govt

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

Guwahati police have registered an FIR against journalist and YouTuber Abhisar Sharma for allegedly ridiculing the Assam and Union governments and promoting religious enmity. The FIR invokes Sections 152, 196, and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.