News for 'Democracy Over Political Interests'

'If India, China join hands...': Beijing's big remark

'If India, China join hands...': Beijing's big remark

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday that India-China relations have made positive strides and achieved a series of encouraging outcomes at all levels after last year's breakthrough ending the over four-year-long military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Wang's remarks came during his annual press conference as he replied to a question on how Beijing views the course of bilateral ties after the two countries ended the prolonged stalemate in the ties.

'After Quit India, There Could Be No Retreat'

'After Quit India, There Could Be No Retreat'

Rediff.com9 Aug 2025

On the 83rd anniversary of the Quit India movement, Utkarsh Mishra recalls the conditions under which the Congress, led by Mahatma Gandhi, launched the final struggle for independence.

Jeopardizing...: 6 US lawmakers write to AG against Adani indictment

Jeopardizing...: 6 US lawmakers write to AG against Adani indictment

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Six US Congressmen have written to the Attorney General of the United States expressing concerns over the Department of Justice's indictment of the Adani Group, alleging it jeopardizes relations with India. The letter, signed by Lance Gooden, Pat Fallon, Mike Haridopolos, Brandon Gill, William R Timmmons, and Brian Babin, criticizes the Biden administration's decision to pursue the case, arguing that it has no real injury to US interests and could negatively impact the strategic partnership between the US and India. The Congressmen call for an investigation into the DOJ's conduct and request records pertaining to the case.

Kull: The Legacy Of The Raisingghs Review: Misses The Mark

Kull: The Legacy Of The Raisingghs Review: Misses The Mark

Rediff.com2 May 2025

Performances by Nimrat Kaur and Amol Parashar make the rather unimaginative show watchable, observes Deepa Gahlot.

'BJP writing new grammar of electoral politics'

'BJP writing new grammar of electoral politics'

Rediff.com20 Dec 2023

'The party is breaking stereotypes by not inviting senior leaders to become chief ministers.' 'No other party has had the guts to do this.'

'Second Coming' For TN's Autonomy Panel, But...

'Second Coming' For TN's Autonomy Panel, But...

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Given the possibilities that next year's assembly elections could throw up, Stalin told the state assembly that an interim report had to be submitted by January 2026. The outcomes may well find its way into the DMK's poll manifesto, thus seeking to keep the electoral focus still on the BJP-ruled Centre and Prime Minister Modi, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

HC orders revival of 2007 Nandigram murder cases

HC orders revival of 2007 Nandigram murder cases

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the revival and prosecution of ten criminal cases related to murders in Nandigram and Khejuri during an anti-land acquisition movement in 2007. The court deemed the West Bengal government's decision to withdraw prosecution in these cases, involving the deaths of at least ten individuals, as unlawful. The bench emphasized that murders had indeed occurred and that allowing the prosecution to withdraw under Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure Code would not be in the public interest. The court stated that violence in any form should be eschewed in a democracy and that a state must exhibit zero tolerance towards it. The court set aside the state government's decision to withdraw prosecution and directed the public prosecutor to take appropriate measures within a fortnight.

China accuses US of using democracy as 'WMD' to stoke confrontation

China accuses US of using democracy as 'WMD' to stoke confrontation

Rediff.com11 Dec 2021

While the US omitted China and Russia from the list of invitees, Beijing was furious over the invitation to the self-governing island Taiwan, which China said is a blatant violation of the 'One China' policy that considers Taipei as the integral part of the Chinese mainland.

Centre lifts ban on govt officials doing RSS work

Centre lifts ban on govt officials doing RSS work

Rediff.com22 Jul 2024

Te Congress slammed the Centre's order, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to politicise employees on an ideological basis.

Elections Are MUST For Democracy

Elections Are MUST For Democracy

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

Democracy is the heart of our body politic and elections are its life blood. Because there is some disease that affects it, we cannot apply leeches to drain it off, killing the body in the process, asserts Shreekant Sambrani.

Is Trump A Lot Like Modi?

Is Trump A Lot Like Modi?

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

After being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Trump started his inaugural address with a sentence that echoed Modi's coinage some years ago, notes Modi biographer Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Baseless: Ex-CEC Quraishi on $21m poll funding by US agency

Baseless: Ex-CEC Quraishi on $21m poll funding by US agency

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

'There was no financing or even promise of finance involved in MoU, forget X or Y amount'

Gaurav Gogoi's British wife has ISI links, claims BJP; Cong hits back

Gaurav Gogoi's British wife has ISI links, claims BJP; Cong hits back

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of raising questions on sensitive defence matters in Parliament after his marriage to a British citizen. Sarma alleged that Gogoi's wife, Elizabeth Colburn, has links with the Pakistani establishment, including working for an organisation allegedly a front for the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Gogoi has rejected the allegations as "baseless" and said the BJP is trying to divert attention from its own failures.

Governor-CM Rifts: Democracy At Risk

Governor-CM Rifts: Democracy At Risk

Rediff.com6 Jul 2023

Governors must be impartial, fair, and above narrow politics to uphold the values and spirit of the Constitution. But in a rapidly changing political culture where the unstated rule is to crush the Opposition, such values have no meaning. At stake are Constitutional values, federalism and governance, asserts Ramesh Menon.

History in Minutes: When Nehru's Kerchief Became Sudan's Flag

History in Minutes: When Nehru's Kerchief Became Sudan's Flag

Rediff.com27 May 2025

On Jawaharlal Nehru's 61st death anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra recalls how India's first prime minister cultivated a unique role for the newly independent country on the world stage.

Will Thalapathy Vijay Take A Plunge Into Politics?

Will Thalapathy Vijay Take A Plunge Into Politics?

Rediff.com7 Nov 2023

At the Leo fete, Vijay had this also to tell his fans: 'I know you all are in my heart. But today, I also know that I am also in the hearts of all of you...' A typical politician's line, did you say, asks N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why this Bollywood actor is praising 'brave' Rahul Gandhi

Why this Bollywood actor is praising 'brave' Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com27 Sep 2024

'I think what Rahul Gandhi has done has also been very impressive because there was a point where people were disrespecting things he was saying and things he was doing. And I think he's turned that around by working very hard, in a very interesting way'

Democracy, honesty, people of K'taka lost: Rahul

Democracy, honesty, people of K'taka lost: Rahul

Rediff.com24 Jul 2019

Capping a three-week-long high-voltage intense power struggle triggered by a raft of resignations by rebel lawmakers that pushed the government to the brink of collapse, the motion in the Karnataka Assembly was defeated with 99 members voting for the motion and 105 against it.

Canadian PM Trudeau steps down, hunt on for new leader

Canadian PM Trudeau steps down, hunt on for new leader

Rediff.com6 Jan 2025

Trudeau said that he had spoken to the Liberal Party President to start looking for a new prime ministerial candidate.

Recalled envoy speaks out: Canada backstabbed India

Recalled envoy speaks out: Canada backstabbed India

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

Calling Canada's behaviour 'the pits', India's recalled high commissioner Sanjay Verma says India was backstabbed and treated in a most unprofessional manner by a country that is supposed to be a friendly democracy.

'I want to deepen democracy'

'I want to deepen democracy'

Rediff.com2 Mar 2017

Varun Gandhi explains why he has moved a private member's bill in Parliament enabling voters to recall their representatives.

'NSA Mike Waltz would be good for India-US relationship'

'NSA Mike Waltz would be good for India-US relationship'

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

Waltz after being elected as the Co-Chair of India Caucus in January last year had said that India is the world's largest democracy and an important strategic partner for the United States.

Youtuber Savukku Shankar's house targeted; sewage, faeces dumped

Youtuber Savukku Shankar's house targeted; sewage, faeces dumped

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Popular Youtuber Savukku Shankar, known for his criticism of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, had his residence targeted by a group of individuals who allegedly dumped sewage and human faeces inside. The incident has sparked outrage with opposition leaders condemning the act and demanding swift action. Shankar alleges the attack was orchestrated by a top Tamil Nadu Congress Committee leader and a police official, citing a prior corruption expose he made. The police are investigating the incident.

'Putin Is A Liar'

'Putin Is A Liar'

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

'Putin dreams about his legacy. He wants to forcibly restore the Russian empire.' 'Unfortunately, after three years of large-scale war with massive human losses, Putin will not budge from his goal because human life is the cheapest resource in the Russian State.'

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

It was a protest which held a mirror to the government of a state taking pride in its commitment to democracy, gender equality and social indices.One person, who in his employed days had known governments and political parties at close quarters, told me that public perception of how the Kerala government handled the ASHA workers' strike had been terrible, reports Shyam G Menon.

Yashwant Sinha quits BJP, will work to 'save democracy'

Yashwant Sinha quits BJP, will work to 'save democracy'

Rediff.com21 Apr 2018

He said he will not join any party but will work to unite all non-BJP parties.

'Delimitation Is Not A South Versus North Issue'

'Delimitation Is Not A South Versus North Issue'

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

'There will be no change of seats for Delhi, Assam and Maharashtra.' 'Andhra, J&K, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana will lose seats while there will be an increase for MP, UP, Bihar, Haryana, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.' 'It is a big mistake if you make it a north-south issue.'

'In life as well as in politics, nothing is black or white'

'In life as well as in politics, nothing is black or white'

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

'There was trust, but perhaps there was also this apprehension that given the supreme post of prime minister, Sonia Gandhi felt her authority may be a challenged.'

Hasina's daughter joins mother at G20, fuels political speculation

Hasina's daughter joins mother at G20, fuels political speculation

Rediff.com8 Sep 2023

This is possibly the first time Hasina's daughter will be by her mother's side during an official visit to close neighbour and ally India, and analysts believe this to be significant in many ways.

National interest must guide your every decision, Modi tells bureaucrats

National interest must guide your every decision, Modi tells bureaucrats

Rediff.com21 Apr 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged bureaucrats to make national interest the sole basis of their every decision, saying the country has put its faith in them and they must uphold that trust.

Relief to Adani? Trump pauses enforcement of foreign bribery law

Relief to Adani? Trump pauses enforcement of foreign bribery law

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice to pause enforcing a nearly half-century-old law that was used to launch a bribery investigation against the Adani Group. Trump signed an order to pause enforcing of the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) that prohibits American companies and foreign firms from bribing officials of foreign governments to obtain or retain business.

Relief to Adani? Trump pauses foreign bribery law

Relief to Adani? Trump pauses foreign bribery law

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Trump signed an order to pause enforcing of the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) that prohibits American companies and foreign firms from bribing officials of foreign governments to obtain or retain business.

'I Should Have Won 1.25 Lakh Votes'

'I Should Have Won 1.25 Lakh Votes'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

'There is a difference between a politician and leader.' 'A politician will have his pound of flesh first and do everything else later.' 'A leader will sacrifice everything to help people.'

Rahul Gandhi had no political clearance for London visit?

Rahul Gandhi had no political clearance for London visit?

Rediff.com25 May 2022

Another Member of Parliament, Professor Manoj Jha from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, who also went for a function in which Rahul Gandhi was participating in London, had all due permission including -- the due political clearance.

Time We Understood America's Game

Time We Understood America's Game

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

Sections of our media and elites take Western reports/judgements at face value and are ready to condemn the targets without understanding the deeper power linkages behind such actions, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd).

Yamuna 'poisoning': Referred to high ammonia level, Kejriwal tells CEC

Yamuna 'poisoning': Referred to high ammonia level, Kejriwal tells CEC

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal went to the Election Commission's office in New Delhi on Friday and furnished his reply to the poll body over its notice to him on his 'poison mixed' in Yamuna water remark.

More To Delimitation Than Meets The Eye

More To Delimitation Than Meets The Eye

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

There is a proposal from the BJP camp that they would resort to a proportion-based increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats for individual states, based on what they now have. On the face of it, this sounds like a fine argument that those demanding a 'freeze' now cannot oppose without reasons and justification, avers N Sathiya Moorthy.

Cong has become a 'parasite' that swallows...: Modi

Cong has become a 'parasite' that swallows...: Modi

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

Once people throw out the Congress, they do not let it come back. They put 'no entry' boards for the Congress, he said. It always thought power was its birthright but it has now been exposed, the prime minister said

'Vague Allegations Against Election Commission Unfair'

'Vague Allegations Against Election Commission Unfair'

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

'To attribute motives to the individual election commissioner or the Election Commission as a group is very unfair.'

INDIA clashes with govt over speech at Constitution day event

INDIA clashes with govt over speech at Constitution day event

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

Leaders of various INDIA bloc parties have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging him to allow leaders of the opposition in both Houses of Parliament to speak during the Constitution Day function to be held on Tuesday. The function will be addressed by President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The letter, signed by leaders of various opposition parties, states that they believe in the best traditions and interests of Parliamentary democracy, the Leaders of Opposition (LoPs) in both Houses should also be given an opportunity to speak on this historic occasion. Parliamenary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, however, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be addressing the event and accused "some of the Opposition parties " of giving reactions without knowing the actual arrangement. He added that sitting arrangements have been made for the Leaders of Opposition of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the dais.