News for 'Free Society'

Nationwide Stir Against Scrapping MGNREGA

Nationwide Stir Against Scrapping MGNREGA

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Civil society groups, led by the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, are planning a nationwide protest -- similar to the farmers' stir a few years ago -- starting December 19 demanding scrapping of the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission.

'Hindu rate of growth' term maligned entire civilisation: Modi

'Hindu rate of growth' term maligned entire civilisation: Modi

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

"The policy of Macaulay, which sowed the seeds of mental slavery in India, will complete 200 years in 2035. This means there are 10 years left. Therefore, in these very 10 years, we all must come together to free our country from the slave mentality," he said.

Assam assembly passes bill to ban polygamy, tribals kept out

Assam assembly passes bill to ban polygamy, tribals kept out

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The Assam assembly on Thursday passed a bill to ban polygamy, making it an offence which may lead to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment, barring some exceptions.

Registration Isn't Ownership

Registration Isn't Ownership

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Lawful possession means having both actual control over a property and a valid legal right to keep it, usually based on a registered sale deed, lease agreement, or lawful allotment.

Trump-era H1B fee, tariffs hurt India ties, say US lawmakers

Trump-era H1B fee, tariffs hurt India ties, say US lawmakers

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

US lawmakers have expressed concerns that policies enacted by the Trump administration, such as the H1B visa fee and tariffs on India, are detrimental to American businesses and threaten the relationship between the United States and India.

How Trump's Rules Are Killing American Tourism

How Trump's Rules Are Killing American Tourism

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

'America has historically been a magnet for people who aren't from here.' 'That sort of thing -- the promise of opportunity, no matter what that looks like -- doesn't grow on trees.' 'It also happens to be geopolitical gold that Trump is flushing down the toilet,' points out Sree Sreenivasan.

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

In terms of MLA salaries, Odisha is followed by Telangana (about Rs 2.7 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 2.6 lakh), Manipur (Rs 2.5 lakh), and Uttar Pradesh (Rs 2.4 lakh).

'A Big Chunk Of India's Office Workers Will End Up Becoming Part Of The Gig Economy'

'A Big Chunk Of India's Office Workers Will End Up Becoming Part Of The Gig Economy'

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

'More and more people from the middle class will become self-employed gig workers mostly working from home, rather than as office workers with salary, promotion, bonuses, etc.'

'Glorification Of Demolitions Incentivises Leaders'

'Glorification Of Demolitions Incentivises Leaders'

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

'The implementation of the judgment has largely been left to the discretion of the very executive authorities it sought to restrain.'

Should US shut down H-1B visa programme? What Elon Musk said

Should US shut down H-1B visa programme? What Elon Musk said

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk voices strong support for the H1B visa program, highlighting the immense benefit the US has derived from Indian talent and cautioning against shutting it down.

Sri Lanka: Paradiso For Travellers

Sri Lanka: Paradiso For Travellers

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka stays with you not just in memory, but gently reminds you what a society can achieve when heart and heritage guide the way.

RSS leader hails NCERT tweak on Akbar, Tipu titles in textbooks

RSS leader hails NCERT tweak on Akbar, Tipu titles in textbooks

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

RSS leader Sunil Ambekar says history textbooks have been revised, with titles like 'the great' removed from historical figures like Akbar and Tipu Sultan. He highlights the importance of India's ancient knowledge and the need to understand its history.

Govt to bring regulation on deepfakes soon: Vaishnaw

Govt to bring regulation on deepfakes soon: Vaishnaw

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

The government is going to bring a regulation on deepfakes soon that will take help of technology for efficient implementation, Union electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday.

'Nitish Kumar Will Be Chief Minister From 2025 to 2030'

'Nitish Kumar Will Be Chief Minister From 2025 to 2030'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

'Modi and Shah made it clear that the next government will be led by Nitishji.'

Not Trump, Nobel Peace Prize goes to Venezuelan activist

Not Trump, Nobel Peace Prize goes to Venezuelan activist

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

United States President Donald Trump was hoping to get the Peace award for "stopping" the eight wars including the conflict between India and Pakistan through trade and tariffs.

How Kerala Aims to Be India's First Poverty Free State

How Kerala Aims to Be India's First Poverty Free State

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

Despite facing financial constraints, Kerala has been able to invest in welfare schemes and targeted programmes.

How A Silk Sari Started A Fashion Revolution

How A Silk Sari Started A Fashion Revolution

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

'Women weavers are hardworking, open to learning, resilient.' 'They finish their cooking, housework, puja, then they come to weave.' 'They care about design. They care about beauty.'

MP minister calls Raja Ram Mohan Roy 'British agent'

MP minister calls Raja Ram Mohan Roy 'British agent'

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

Madhya Pradesh Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Inder Singh Parmar has sparked controversy by saying that social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a 'British agent' who started a 'vicious cycle of religious conversion', prompting the Trinamool Congress to call the remarks an insult to Bengal.

I am accepting this...: What Nobel Peace prize winner told Trump

I am accepting this...: What Nobel Peace prize winner told Trump

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

Trump, who had expected to receive the prize for his efforts to "end seven wars," also linked the conflict in Ukraine to his broader peacemaking claims.

Why Academic Freedom Isn't Absolute

Why Academic Freedom Isn't Absolute

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

Confusing academic freedom with the right to free speech of an individual and expecting unconditional institutional support is not realistic. Academic freedom provides an opportunity for an academic to pursue their passion and contribute to the society through the outcome of their research and/or thought process, points out N Ravichandran.

Clashes mars day 1 of 'free movement' in Manipur, 1 killed

Clashes mars day 1 of 'free movement' in Manipur, 1 killed

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Clashes erupted between demonstrators and security forces in the Kuki-dominated district after police fired tear gas to disperse them, as they opposed Union Home Minister Amit Shah's directive allowing free movement across the state.

Saudi Arabia Ends Kafala: What Changes For 2.6 Mn Indians?

Saudi Arabia Ends Kafala: What Changes For 2.6 Mn Indians?

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

Saudi Arabia has scrapped its decades-old Kafala system, freeing 13 million migrant workers, including 2.6 million Indians, from restrictive employer control and exit visa rules.

UPI Goes Global, Fintech Hits A Wall

UPI Goes Global, Fintech Hits A Wall

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

'When you think of cross-border payments, the first things that come to mind are risk, compliance, taxation, speed, and cost.'

Defeat RJD and allies, Modi appeals to Bihar's women

Defeat RJD and allies, Modi appeals to Bihar's women

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp critique of the RJD, emphasizing the hardships faced by women in Bihar under its governance. He highlighted the current government's initiatives for women's empowerment and urged them to prevent the RJD's return to power.

Why BJP, Nitish Need Each Other

Why BJP, Nitish Need Each Other

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

Left to its machinations, the BJP would have loved to cut Nitish down to size, but it can't afford to do so as the JD-U is in alliance with the BJP at the Centre, and cannot form a government on its own in Bihar. For now, both need each other: Nitish for legitimacy, the BJP for numbers, points out Ramesh Menon.

Have Your Kids Built A Diwali Killa?

Have Your Kids Built A Diwali Killa?

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

Diwali celebrations in Maharashtra would be incomplete without the making of the killa, a playful ritual rooted in tradition and creativity, where children and adults come together to craft miniature forts made using mud, sand and clay.

Why The Americans Were Opposed To Agni

Why The Americans Were Opposed To Agni

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

'The heat shield technology for re-entry vehicles was first mastered in DRDO for the Agni missile.' 'This is why the Americans were so opposed to Agni in the 1980s, unlike other missiles -- it was a re-entry vehicle.'

Red carpet welcome awaits you if...: Amit Shah rejects Maoist ceasefire offer

Red carpet welcome awaits you if...: Amit Shah rejects Maoist ceasefire offer

Rediff.com28 Sep 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah rejects the ceasefire offer from Maoists, stating that surrender is the only option. He also addresses Naxalism's ideological roots and progress in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

Ahead of polls, Nitish govt announces series of schemes

Ahead of polls, Nitish govt announces series of schemes

Rediff.com21 Sep 2025

Another populist decision of the government was the announcement of an unemployment allowance for the youth: Rs 1,000 per month for two years for graduates and those who have completed class 12 but remain unemployed.

'BJP High Command Will Decide NDA Chief Minister'

'BJP High Command Will Decide NDA Chief Minister'

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

'The name will be declared at the right time.'

8 arrested over Cuttack violence; VHP calls 12-hour bandh

8 arrested over Cuttack violence; VHP calls 12-hour bandh

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

The Odisha government imposed prohibitory orders and suspended internet services in Cuttack following violence after a Durga idol immersion procession. Clashes erupted, injuring several people, including police personnel. Authorities are taking strict action against misinformation spread on social media.

Big twist in Haryana IPS suicide: ASI shoots himself, blames...

Big twist in Haryana IPS suicide: ASI shoots himself, blames...

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

A Haryana Police ASI allegedly committed suicide, leaving behind a video and note accusing a late IPS officer of corruption. The incident follows controversy surrounding the officer's death and allegations of caste-based discrimination within the police force.

Chhattisgarh sees largest Maoist surrender; 210 rebels give up arms

Chhattisgarh sees largest Maoist surrender; 210 rebels give up arms

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

210 Maoist cadres, including a Central Committee member, surrendered to authorities in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur, marking the "largest mass surrender" in the state's anti-Naxal operations. The surrendered Naxalites carried a collective bounty of Rs 9.18 crore and handed over 153 weapons. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the development as a historic moment for Chhattisgarh and the nation.

'Women Have Desires, Dreams'

'Women Have Desires, Dreams'

Rediff.com1 Oct 2025

'Women have always been given titles like 'mother' or 'housewife'. 'These tags put so much pressure on a woman to be a certain way.'

Lift crashes against roof in Noida society, 3 injured

Lift crashes against roof in Noida society, 3 injured

Rediff.com13 May 2024

According to police, the lift was coming down from the eighth floor but it suddenly suffered jerks and went to the top floor.

Biden raised human rights, civil society, free press with Modi

Biden raised human rights, civil society, free press with Modi

Rediff.com10 Sep 2023

Biden told reporters in Hanoi in the Vietnamese capital that he also raised the importance of respecting human rights with Prime Minister Modi.

No malicious intent: Court on Kailash Kher's Lord Shiva song

No malicious intent: Court on Kailash Kher's Lord Shiva song

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

Intolerance and dissent from the orthodoxy have been a bane of Indian society, the Bombay high court said, quoting author A G Noorani, while quashing a complaint against singer Kailash Kher for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with a song on Lord Shiva.

Centre's Myanmar border fencing faces resistance in Mizoram

Centre's Myanmar border fencing faces resistance in Mizoram

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

Mizoram government reiterates its opposition to the Centre's plan to fence the India-Myanmar border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR), citing ethnic ties and concerns for refugees.

India's Startup Dreams, Ready to Bloom

India's Startup Dreams, Ready to Bloom

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

Let's work flat out and create a policy framework that fosters the growth of Indian non-family business VC and private equity firms. This will allow our Indian startups' dreams to flourish, explains Ajit Balakrishnan.