News for 'Freedom House'

India no longer a democratic country, claims Rahul

India no longer a democratic country, claims Rahul

Rediff.com11 Mar 2021

This comes after another global report by a US government-funded NGO, Freedom House downgraded India's status from "free" to "partly free" and claimed that "political rights and civil liberties have eroded in India since Narendra Modi became prime minister in 2014".

'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.'

Time To Embrace Inclusive Nationalism

Time To Embrace Inclusive Nationalism

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

'It is important India to stay focussed on its primary national objectives: Combating terrorism; not losing sight of other security and strategic concerns (on the Sino-Indian front for instance); ensuring a strong economy and registering growth which includes improving the lot of common people; and finally making certain that the social fabric remains intact and harmony among people is not jeopardised, at least any further,' asserts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Photographs To Amaze, Stun You!

Photographs To Amaze, Stun You!

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Sony World Photography Awards 2025 Winners Announced

'I Want To Forget The Horror Of This War'

'I Want To Forget The Horror Of This War'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

'While I would never wish for anyone to go through what we are, it has brought out the best in us by making each one of us a better version of ourselves.' 'Being courageous, fighting for freedom, taking the burden of responsibility to help each other...' 'I know hundreds and hundreds of examples where Ukrainians are risking their lives for complete strangers and it is only in moments like this that we truly understand what it means to be human.'

Govt to crack down on vulgar content on social media

Govt to crack down on vulgar content on social media

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has called for more stringent laws to curb vulgar content on social media platforms. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Information and Broadcasting Minister suggested that the Parliamentary Standing Committee should address the issue and emphasized the need for consensus on stricter legislation. Vaishnaw highlighted the lack of editorial checks on social media, leading to uncontrolled dissemination of vulgar content. He argued that while social media platforms provide a platform for press freedom, they require stricter regulations to address the proliferation of inappropriate content.

US, UK call for calm amid heightened India-Pak tensions

US, UK call for calm amid heightened India-Pak tensions

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the US has called on both countries "not to escalate" the conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to speak with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India as early as today or tomorrow. The US State Department said Washington is reaching out to both India and Pakistan "regarding the Kashmir situation" and telling them "not to escalate the situation."

Ex-central banker to replace Trudeau as Canada PM

Ex-central banker to replace Trudeau as Canada PM

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Carney defeated former cabinet minister Karina Gould, former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, and Businessman and former Liberal MP Frank Baylis. All four contenders entered the room to much fanfare and addressed the crowd, thanking supporters for injecting energy into the party.

Kesari Chapter 2 Review: Ahistorical, But Entertaining

Kesari Chapter 2 Review: Ahistorical, But Entertaining

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

If you disregard history and are ready to watch Kesari 2 purely as an entertainer, you are definitely going to enjoy it, feels Utkarsh Mishra.

'I Came To Films To Earn Rs 3 Lakh'

'I Came To Films To Earn Rs 3 Lakh'

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

'Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor and I were inseparable while we struggled together.' 'When a disillusioned Dharmendra was packing his bags to return home, I prevailed upon him to give himself two months.' 'Five days later, he was signed for Shola Aur Shabnam and I signed Picnic.'

Will Poonawalla Let Karan Johar Thrive?

Will Poonawalla Let Karan Johar Thrive?

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

A non-strategic investor like Poonawalla brings in not only capital but also creative freedom. Indian cinema needs more investors like him, reports Vanita Kohli Khandekar.

No rule to authenticate points made in House, Kharge writes to Dhankhar

No rule to authenticate points made in House, Kharge writes to Dhankhar

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

Any direction or rule of the House cannot subvert the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech granted to members of Parliament, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, asserting that any criticism of the government and its policies can never be equated with the "dignity" of the Council of States.

Fadnavis vows to put Azmi in jail as Akhilesh backs his MLA

Fadnavis vows to put Azmi in jail as Akhilesh backs his MLA

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi, suspended from the Maharashtra assembly over his remarks praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, will be '100 per cent' put in jail, Chief Minister Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the legislative council.

COMING SOON: Withdraw EPF Money At ATMs

COMING SOON: Withdraw EPF Money At ATMs

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

By June 2025, financial freedom will be just an ATM away. Pleasantly surprised? But there's more, says Ramalingam Kalirajan

Why India Needs Trump's Tariffs To Reform Again

Why India Needs Trump's Tariffs To Reform Again

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

India needs another shot of difficult reform, of the kind only possible at gunpoint. Mr Trump holds that gun to our heads now. A drastic reduction in tariff protection, other elements of sarkari wet-nursing will force entrepreneurial India to become competitive again, argues Shekhar Gupta.

'India In 1947 Was Like A Ticking Time Bomb'

'India In 1947 Was Like A Ticking Time Bomb'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

'When you watch Freedom At Midnight, I want you to feel like you are sitting on a ticking time bomb.'

Operation Sindoor is India's policy against terrorism

Operation Sindoor is India's policy against terrorism

Rediff.com12 May 2025

Presenting the full text of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on May 12, 2025, in which he dictated India's new doctrines on countering terrorism.

''Trump Will Do A Deal With China'

''Trump Will Do A Deal With China'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

'Trump's desire to withdraw the US from some arenas on the global stage will result in ceding space to China.'

Simultaneous polls can promote consistency in governance: Prez Murmu

Simultaneous polls can promote consistency in governance: Prez Murmu

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

President Droupadi Murmu, in her address to the nation on Republic Day, advocated for the "One Nation One Election" initiative, emphasizing its potential to enhance governance and reduce financial burdens. She highlighted the government's efforts to eliminate remnants of colonialism, citing the replacement of British-era criminal laws with modern alternatives. Murmu also lauded India's economic progress, stressing the importance of inclusive growth and social welfare. She urged citizens to remember the sacrifices of freedom fighters and reaffirmed the significance of the Constitution in guiding India's journey towards a prosperous and equitable future.

'I Was Fated To Play Jinnah'

'I Was Fated To Play Jinnah'

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

'I have no idea why I was so many film-makers' choice for Jinnah. I assume it is because I was born and bred in Mumbai and speak English.' 'There's also my name, people tend to believe that a Muslim character can best be played by a Muslim actor.'

US Congresswoman introduces anti-India resolution in House

US Congresswoman introduces anti-India resolution in House

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

A resolution calls the US Secretary of State to designate India as a country of particular concern for alleged violation of religious freedom.

Abandoned 20 yrs ago, Spanish woman in India to find mom

Abandoned 20 yrs ago, Spanish woman in India to find mom

Rediff.com5 Jan 2025

Sneha, a Spanish citizen, has returned to India in search of her biological mother, who had abandoned her and her brother 20 years ago.

'In Rs 40L Debt Trap. How Do I Repay?'

'In Rs 40L Debt Trap. How Do I Repay?'

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Milind Vadjikar your insurance, stocks, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

Women We Admire: Savitribai Phule

Women We Admire: Savitribai Phule

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

This Women's Day week, we honour Savitribai Phule, India's first female teacher, who fearlessly fought for women's education, equality and social justice, reshaping the future for generations of women.

Hello Smokin Hot Karan

Hello Smokin Hot Karan

Rediff.com22 Oct 2024

Rocky S suited and booted Karan so well he took the runway by storm.

Pakistan's freedom struggle has begun again: Imran after ouster

Pakistan's freedom struggle has begun again: Imran after ouster

Rediff.com10 Apr 2022

Pakistan's 'freedom struggle' has begun again with the ouster of his government due to a 'foreign conspiracy', former prime minister Imran Khan said on Sunday in his first comments since his unceremonious removal hours earlier.

'Most Dargahs, Mosques Will Be Threatened'

'Most Dargahs, Mosques Will Be Threatened'

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

'The new Waqf bill sows the seed for conflict in every town and village of India.'

Trump shares article saying Canadians want merger with US

Trump shares article saying Canadians want merger with US

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

United States President-elect Donald Trump on Friday posted a media article on his Truth Social platform highlighting a suggestion by Kevin O'Leary, the Canadian investor and Shark Tank star, advocating for a potential merge of Canada and the United States.

No buyer for Gandhi's Dandi march garland at UK auction

No buyer for Gandhi's Dandi march garland at UK auction

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

A garland presented to Mahatma Gandhi during the iconic Dandi March of the Indian freedom struggle in 1930 failed to meet its estimated price at a UK auction. The garland, which was presented to Gandhi by the wife of his personal physician, Dr Balvantrai N Kanuga, was offered as part of an "Islamic and Indian Art" sale by Lyon & Turnbull in London. Despite failing to find a buyer at the auction, the auction house said it has received significant interest since the sale and hopes to sell it to the highest bidder.

Dhoni set the template that Kohli carried forward: Vijay

Dhoni set the template that Kohli carried forward: Vijay

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

'Indian cricket is on an upward curve, definitely, other teams have to catch up with us and (the Champions Trophy) final is going to be crucial.'

Modi Preaches World Peace But...

Modi Preaches World Peace But...

Rediff.com28 Aug 2024

'...We should first look at and acknowledge what we have done to ourselves.' 'To not do so opens us to the accusation of rank hypocrisy and also reduces the stature of our globetrotting peaceniks,' asserts Aakar Patel.

BJP, Sena counter Rahul's Savarkar attack with Indira letter

BJP, Sena counter Rahul's Savarkar attack with Indira letter

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde wondered whether Indira Gandhi was also anti-Constitution as she had praised Savarkar as a "remarkable son of India".

Soros connection? US lawmaker challenges Adani probe

Soros connection? US lawmaker challenges Adani probe

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Challenging the decision of the Biden Administration to investigate the activities of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his companies, an influential Republican lawmaker on Tuesday said such selective actions risk damaging critical alliance partners.

'Partition Should Never Have Happened'

'Partition Should Never Have Happened'

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

'We wouldn't have had to face all this had our national leaders taken care to select a place for Sindhis and sent us there, instead of sending us all over to settle in places where the locals didn't want us.' 'They could have partitioned Sindh and given us a Sindhi state from its two Hindu-majority districts.' 'Wasn't that the logic of Partition?'

Gandhi And Bose: A Complex Partnership

Gandhi And Bose: A Complex Partnership

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

The two leaders had a complex relationship yet formed a partnership and even after their parting of ways, the two admired each other in their efforts for India's freedom.

Speaker's remarks on Emergency trigger massive Opposition protests

Speaker's remarks on Emergency trigger massive Opposition protests

Rediff.com26 Jun 2024

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday read out a resolution condemning the imposition of Emergency and termed the decision by then prime minister Indira Gandhi an attack on the Constitution, triggering a wave of protests by the opposition in the House.

Modi govt opposes life-time ban on convicted politicians

Modi govt opposes life-time ban on convicted politicians

Rediff.com26 Feb 2025

The Centre said as a matter of judicial review, the court could declare the provisions to be unconstitutional, however, the relief sought by the petitioner effectively sought to read "life-long" instead of "six years" in all sub-sections of Section 8 of the Act.

Spotted! SoChay At Mumbai Shaadi

Spotted! SoChay At Mumbai Shaadi

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

Aaliya Kashyap and Shane Gregoire had a starry reception on Wednesday evening.

'Sheesh Mahal', 'liquor scam': Rahul lets it fly against Kejriwal

'Sheesh Mahal', 'liquor scam': Rahul lets it fly against Kejriwal

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal during his campaign rallies in Delhi, accusing him of being involved in the "liquor scam" and of being "afraid" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi also criticized Kejriwal's governance style, calling it "sheesh mahal politics" and accusing him of being absent when violence and hatred engulfed Delhi during the 2020 riots. He also attacked the BJP, accusing them of trying to change the Constitution and insulting the country's founding fathers.

Sonia inaugurates Cong's new headquarters, Narasimha Rao honored

Sonia inaugurates Cong's new headquarters, Narasimha Rao honored

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

The Congress' new headquarters located at 9A, Kotla Road in New Delhi was inaugurated on Wednesday, as the grand old party turned a page in its history after operating from its iconic 24, Akbar Road premises for the last 47 years.