News for 'Free Society'

Report All Income In Tax Returns

Report All Income In Tax Returns

Rediff.com19 Jan 2022

Failure to do so leads to incorrect filing and under-reporting of income, with adverse consequences, advises Bindisha Sarang.

'There's no free speech; we're in a state worse than Emergency'

'There's no free speech; we're in a state worse than Emergency'

Rediff.com21 Feb 2016

Senior advocate Kamini Jaiswal speaks to Nikita Puri on what the term means and its implications on freedom of speech in India.

'Seven years have passed since the murder and the trial is yet to begin'

'Seven years have passed since the murder and the trial is yet to begin'

Rediff.com28 Sep 2022

'One after the other, they have committed four murders (Dabholkar, Pansare, Kalburgi, Gauri Lankesh)...' 'They feel they will not have to face the consequences of their actions as it is a favourable time for them.'

Kerala CM says extreme poverty to be eradicated in 5 years

Kerala CM says extreme poverty to be eradicated in 5 years

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

"A first step in this direction is the new project launched by Kerala to eradicate extreme poverty. A survey, that is being conducted as part of it, will be completed within four months," the CM said.

Uphill task for Mann to replicate Delhi model in Punjab

Uphill task for Mann to replicate Delhi model in Punjab

Rediff.com28 Mar 2022

Given the sheer size of the state, achieving a similar turnaround in Punjab as promised could be a different ball game altogether, reports Sai Manish.

What BJP's Gujarat Win Proves

What BJP's Gujarat Win Proves

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

What these elections prove beyond any doubt (if ever there was one) that Modi's hold over public mind and Shah's mastery of election management are unparalleled. It doesn't seem likely that they will be matched any time soon in the Indian political scene, reaffirms Shreekant Sambrani.

US applauds India as a 'force of good': Blinken

US applauds India as a 'force of good': Blinken

Rediff.com29 Jul 2021

India and the US also made a strong push for the intra-Afghan peace process to end violence in Afghanistan and ensure that it does not become home to terrorism, and vowed to deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and on COVID-19 response and economic recovery.

Bhagwant Mann Must Get His Act Together

Bhagwant Mann Must Get His Act Together

Rediff.com5 Dec 2022

Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal are realising that it is not a cakewalk to run a full state that is plagued with a fiscal deficit and where emotions run high at the drop of a hat, observes Sudhir Bisht.

A Budget With An Eye On Elections

A Budget With An Eye On Elections

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

Nirmala Sitharaman's messaging was clear when she presented a well-balanced Budget with an eye on state elections in nine states followed by a general election next year, observes Ramesh Menon.

Reject elite understanding of democratic process: CJI

Reject elite understanding of democratic process: CJI

Rediff.com2 Dec 2022

...educated people are better decision-makers must be rejected, the CJI said.

Cong to launch its own digital media platform 'INC TV'

Cong to launch its own digital media platform 'INC TV'

Rediff.com14 Apr 2021

Surjewala said the digital platform will air eight hours of live programming from April 24, but will not be on the Satellite or OTT.

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.

BJP-led Central govt does 'little except publicity': Nitish

BJP-led Central govt does 'little except publicity': Nitish

Rediff.com24 Aug 2022

"Leaders like Vajpayee, Advani treated me with respect," the JD-U leader said.

LBGT people in Qatar prepare cautiously for World Cup

LBGT people in Qatar prepare cautiously for World Cup

Rediff.com19 Nov 2022

Gay people living under radar in Qatar prepare warily for World Cup

'Modi sarkar unleashing...': Oppn on Sonia's ED appearance

'Modi sarkar unleashing...': Oppn on Sonia's ED appearance

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

"We condemn this and resolve to continue and intensify our collective fight against the anti-people, anti-farmer, anti-Constitution policies of the Modi 'sarkar' that is destroying the social fabric of our society," they also said in the statement.

'Taiwan has always been a target of intimidation by China'

'Taiwan has always been a target of intimidation by China'

Rediff.com5 Aug 2022

'If the situation deteriorates and there is further escalation, the USA is in preparedness.'

Palaniswami's good fight slows down DMK juggernaut

Palaniswami's good fight slows down DMK juggernaut

Rediff.com3 May 2021

If not for Palaniswami, it is hard to guess if the AIADMK would have been able to garner 33.3 per cent vote share as against the DMK's 37.7 per cent. AIADMK won 66 seats, its allies Pattali Makkal Katchi and Bharatiya Janata Party five and four seats respectively and proved yet again that the western region was its fortress.

China buckles under global pressure, hints at relaxing Covid curbs

China buckles under global pressure, hints at relaxing Covid curbs

Rediff.com29 Nov 2022

Seeking to address international concerns, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said China has been adjusting the zero-COVID policy based on the changing circumstances.

Full text: President's address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day 2023

Full text: President's address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day 2023

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

Here's the full text of address to the nation by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of the Republic Day 2023.

'I was scared, but Mani sir took me along'

'I was scared, but Mani sir took me along'

Rediff.com3 Oct 2022

'My mom said when she was in college, her classmates said they want to marry somebody like Vallavaraiyan Vanthiyathevan.' 'That's the kind of pressure I had the moment Mani sir said you have to play this part.'

If you have elderly parents, please read this

If you have elderly parents, please read this

Rediff.com2 Jul 2021

The life insurance kind of 'statutory nomination', which confers final ownership on the nominee, is the need of the hour for all assets, suggests Harsh Roongta.

China's national day sees global protests against Beijing's rights breaches

China's national day sees global protests against Beijing's rights breaches

Rediff.com2 Oct 2022

In Tokyo, hundreds of Japanese citizens came out on the streets to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Pregnant in India? Free advice awaits you

Pregnant in India? Free advice awaits you

Rediff.com8 Jun 2017

Over the last nine months, every time I stepped out of my home, I have quietly swallowed the daily mandatory advice doled out by someone or another, on how to have a happy and normal pregnancy.

TV debates cause more pollution with out-of-context statements, says SC

TV debates cause more pollution with out-of-context statements, says SC

Rediff.com17 Nov 2021

Debates on TV news channels are causing more pollution than anybody, with statements made in the court being taken out of context, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday.

'Punjab is in a mess'

'Punjab is in a mess'

Rediff.com15 Mar 2022

'Politics is in a mess. Good people have to join to clean it up.'

Bilkis Bano rapists were out of jail for over 1000 days before release

Bilkis Bano rapists were out of jail for over 1000 days before release

Rediff.com19 Oct 2022

A state government affidavit said all convicts were granted parole, furlough and even temporary bail at different points during their incarceration, with the highest being for 1,576 days and the lowest 998 days.

When Yoga Guru Swami Sivananda did pranam to Modi

When Yoga Guru Swami Sivananda did pranam to Modi

Rediff.com22 Mar 2022

On Monday night, when President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Padma awards at a civil investiture ceremony in the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the loudest applause was reserved for Swami Sivananda, the 125-year-old yoga guru who walked barefoot to receive the Padma Shri -- after prostrating before Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi and President Kovind.

The Married Woman trailer holds promise

The Married Woman trailer holds promise

Rediff.com16 Feb 2021

The Married Woman can become a really powerful movie on the love between two women when it releases on Women's Day, feels Moumita Bhattacharjee.

'Fear was never an option for me'

'Fear was never an option for me'

Rediff.com30 Nov 2022

'My father lived on minimum money and helped others.' 'What was he to gain personally? No name, fame like a politician who work for votes.' 'His sort believe all humans deserve better lives.'

Modi govt action against NGOs worries US

Modi govt action against NGOs worries US

Rediff.com6 May 2015

The United States on Wednesday expressed concern over punitive action taken by the National Democratic Alliance government against scores of non government organisation, asserting that a vibrant civil society was important for democratic traditions and that those who act peacefully to seek change are not anti-government.

Officials 'intimidated' Indian journalists critical of govt: US report

Officials 'intimidated' Indian journalists critical of govt: US report

Rediff.com13 Apr 2022

India in the past rejected similar reports.

Kashmir Press Club has 'ceased to exist': J-K admin

Kashmir Press Club has 'ceased to exist': J-K admin

Rediff.com17 Jan 2022

The administration -- which has been facing flak on the issue with the Editors Guild of India terming the events a 'coup' and a continuing trend to smother press freedom -- cited 'unpleasant developments and dissensions between various groups of journalists' as the reason for the takeover of the premises in Srinagar's high street Polo Ground area.

For BJP 'rajniti' and 'rashtra niti' are same: Modi

For BJP 'rajniti' and 'rashtra niti' are same: Modi

Rediff.com6 Apr 2022

He also stressed that whether we look from the world point of view or from the national viewpoint, the responsibilities of each member of the BJP are constantly growing. "Each and every worker of the BJP is a representative of the country's dreams," added PM Modi.

Life is tough for India's gig workers

Life is tough for India's gig workers

Rediff.com13 Feb 2022

The recent protests by employees of Urban Company and the case of a a Zomato delivery executive who died in a road accident point to the severely straitened condition of gig workers during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Budget 2021 had promised several measures to help the cause of gig economy workers, but most of them are yet to see the light of day. Even after a year, the country's gig workers continue to be without any social security cover or a minimum wage guarantee. "In Budget 2021, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced that the government is looking toward including migrant and gig workers for social security benefits," says Srinivas Kotni, managing partner, Lexport, a consulting firm. Parliament had passed the Code on Wages in 2019 and Code on Industrial Relations, Social Security and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions in 2020.

How We Can Defeat Targeted Killings In Kashmir

How We Can Defeat Targeted Killings In Kashmir

Rediff.com6 Jun 2022

If the government is able to deliver the promised projects, the large number of youth will be taken off the streets and that is not acceptable to the Pakistan army nor the terrorists hiding in Pakistan, notes Brigadier Narender Kumar (retd).

Judge in Jantar Mantar hate case: 'We are not Taliban State'

Judge in Jantar Mantar hate case: 'We are not Taliban State'

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

Additional sessions judge Anil Antil dismissed the application of Bhupinder Tomar, president of the 'Hindu Raksha Dal', and said that in the past such incidents have flared communal tensions leading to riots and loss to life and property. Tomar was accused of raising communal slogans and inciting youth to propagate against a particular religion at a rally at Jantar Mantar on August 8. "We are not Taliban State. Rule of law is the sacrosanct governing principle in our plural and multi-cultural society. While the whole of India is celebrating 'Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav', there are some minds still chained with Intolerant and self centric beliefs," the judge said in the order passed on August 21.

'They have turned a majority of Hindus to Muslim haters'

'They have turned a majority of Hindus to Muslim haters'

Rediff.com4 Jan 2022

'A Muslim is lynched somewhere, and you forward the video of the lynching through WhatsApp.' 'So, you participate in that lynching without actually doing it. You endorse it without being a party to it.'

Would love to have TV debate with Modi to resolve differences: Imran

Would love to have TV debate with Modi to resolve differences: Imran

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he would like to have a TV debate with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to resolve differences between the two neighbouring countries.

Cong has no divine right to head opposition: Prashant Kishor

Cong has no divine right to head opposition: Prashant Kishor

Rediff.com2 Dec 2021

A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's comment that there was no United Progressive Alliance anymore, Kishor, who has earlier been political advisor to various parties, also called for democratically electing the opposition leadership.

'The more you alienate Muslims, the more it will have problems for India's internal security'

'The more you alienate Muslims, the more it will have problems for India's internal security'

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

'Look at the aggressive way in which a campaign against Friday namaz is going on in North Indian cities.' 'Even the Union home minister is part of this vicious campaign.'