News for 'Freedom of Speech'

PM's Independence Day speech to nation

PM's Independence Day speech to nation

Rediff.com15 Aug 2007

PM's Independence Day speech to nation

Aware of 'Lakshman Rekha' but will examine demonetisation: : SC

Aware of 'Lakshman Rekha' but will examine demonetisation: : SC

Rediff.com12 Oct 2022

The top court said in order to declare whether the exercise is academic or infructuous, it needs to examine the matter since both sides are not agreeable.

Some trying to dent nation's image over human rights: Modi

Some trying to dent nation's image over human rights: Modi

Rediff.com12 Oct 2021

Though Modi did not name any person or organisation, the ruling BJP has been critical of a section of human rights groups, including those with a global presence, for allegedly highlighting cases of HR violations selectively and in a one-sided manner to target the government.

Is Defence Budget Enough To Counter China, Pakistan?

Is Defence Budget Enough To Counter China, Pakistan?

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

To threaten China and Pakistan, and then to sharply cut back on military funding, bespeaks a remarkable trust in Beijing and Islamabad that is not borne out by anything they say or do, notes Ajai Shukla.

Oppn leaders, activists laud SC's observations on sedition law

Oppn leaders, activists laud SC's observations on sedition law

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

'Kudos to the SC & the CJI for standing up to the Govt on the gross misuse of this colonial law of sedition to silence dissent'

FULL TEXT of President Ram Nath Kovind's first speech

FULL TEXT of President Ram Nath Kovind's first speech

Rediff.com25 Jul 2017

'I bow to the 125 crore citizens of this great nation and promise to stay true to the trust they have bestowed on me.'

HC pulls up Christian priest for anti-Hindu remarks

HC pulls up Christian priest for anti-Hindu remarks

Rediff.com8 Jan 2022

"There was absolutely no need or necessity to mount a visceral attack on the religious beliefs of the Hindus. It was unwarranted and utterly unrelated to the occasion. That is what makes it deliberate and malicious," Justice G R Swaminathan of Madras High Court said.

Twitter must respect Indian laws: Govt hardens stance

Twitter must respect Indian laws: Govt hardens stance

Rediff.com11 Feb 2021

The ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) in a press release revealed that the Ministry's Secretary, in a virtual interaction with Twitter officials, expressed his deep disappointment to Twitter leadership about the manner in which it has unwillingly, grudgingly and with great delay complied with the substantial parts of the order.

Pattern to marginalise minority community, hijab petitioners tell SC

Pattern to marginalise minority community, hijab petitioners tell SC

Rediff.com19 Sep 2022

Asserting that hijab is the "identity" of Muslims, senior advocate Dushyant Dave told the Supreme Court on Monday that various acts of omission and commission like Karnataka's headscarf controversy showed a "pattern to marginalise the minority community".

Salman Rushdie on ventilator, likely to lose an eye; suspect in custody

Salman Rushdie on ventilator, likely to lose an eye; suspect in custody

Rediff.com13 Aug 2022

The New York Times reported that according to Rushdie's agent, Andrew Wylie, the Mumbai-born controversial author was on a ventilator and could not speak.

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.

Sedition cases jump 160% between 2016-19: Rights lawyer

Sedition cases jump 160% between 2016-19: Rights lawyer

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

The National Crime Records Bureau data, referred to and quoted by rights lawyer Vrinda Grover, assumes significance in view of the observations of an apex court bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana that there have been "enormous misuse" of the colonial era penal law on sedition and very low rate of conviction in such cases.

Over 60 social media a/cs blocked for anti-India fake news

Over 60 social media a/cs blocked for anti-India fake news

Rediff.com10 Feb 2022

Asked about action taken against those spreading fake news, and publishers of anti-national material, he said more than 60 accounts have been blocked including those on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Soli Sorabjee, former attorney general, dies of Covid-19

Soli Sorabjee, former attorney general, dies of Covid-19

Rediff.com30 Apr 2021

Sorabjee had been honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 2002 for his defence of the freedom of expression and the protection of human rights.

Rahul slams govt over CAB, says attack on Constitution

Rahul slams govt over CAB, says attack on Constitution

Rediff.com10 Dec 2019

The Congress slammed the government on Tuesday after the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, with former party chief Rahul Gandhi saying the proposed legislation is an attack on the Constitution and anyone who supports it is attempting to destroy the foundation of the country.

Celebrations, joy as Droupadi Murmu becomes India's President

Celebrations, joy as Droupadi Murmu becomes India's President

Rediff.com25 Jul 2022

The tribal leader, India's youngest president at 64 and the first to be born after Independence, took oath of office in the name of god to 'preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law'.

'Students from the south will be forced to study in Hindi'

'Students from the south will be forced to study in Hindi'

Rediff.com20 Jan 2023

'They have brought out a provision whereby the medium of education in the Hindi speaking states will be Hindi even in higher education institutions like IIT, IIM, etc.' 'Think about the students from the south who get admission in the IITs in Kanpur or Delhi or the IIMs in various places.'

Kangana's SM post: Won't arrest her till Jan 25, Mumbai cops tell HC

Kangana's SM post: Won't arrest her till Jan 25, Mumbai cops tell HC

Rediff.com13 Dec 2021

The police made the statement after a bench of Justices Nitin Jamdar and Sarang Kotwal said the issue involved the larger question of Ranaut's fundamental right to free speech and that the court will have to grant her some ad-interim relief.

New IT rules to put legal obligations on social media platforms: Govt

New IT rules to put legal obligations on social media platforms: Govt

Rediff.com29 Oct 2022

India's tweaking of IT rules allow formation of Centre-appointed panels, that will settle often-ignored user grievances against content decision of social media companies, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, adding that this was necessitated due to the "casual" and "tokenism" approach of digital platforms towards user complaints so far.

Stalin Draws Up Line Of DMK Succession

Stalin Draws Up Line Of DMK Succession

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

What does Udhayanidhi's induction as minister mean? For the DMK, it indicates the future course, direction and leadership. It is continuity with change, and change with continuity, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

SC to hear pleas seeking probe into Pegasus on Aug 5

SC to hear pleas seeking probe into Pegasus on Aug 5

Rediff.com1 Aug 2021

According to the cause list uploaded on the apex court website, a bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justice Surya Kant would hear on August 5 three separate petitions seeking probe into the reports of alleged snooping by government agencies on eminent citizens, politicians and scribes by using Israeli spyware Pegasus.

SC to examine interpretation of sedition law vis a vis media rights

SC to examine interpretation of sedition law vis a vis media rights

Rediff.com31 May 2021

The Supreme Court on Monday said it will examine the interpretation of sedition law, particularly in the light of media rights and free speech, as it gave protection to Telugu news channels -- TV5 and ABN Andhrajyothi -- from any coercive action in a case lodged against them under the colonial era provision.

Mamata meme: SC grants bail to BJP activist

Mamata meme: SC grants bail to BJP activist

Rediff.com14 May 2019

Sharma was arrested on May 10 by the West Bengal Police under section 500 (defamation) of the IPC and under other provisions of the Information Technology Act on the complaint of a local Trinamool Congress leader Vibhas Hazra.

Internet constitutional right, says SC; orders review of all J-K curbs

Internet constitutional right, says SC; orders review of all J-K curbs

Rediff.com10 Jan 2020

The top court pronounced the verdict on a number of petitions challenging the restrictions and internet blockade imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year. The court heard the petitions filed by various petitioners including Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin.

Every party has corruption in its DNA

Every party has corruption in its DNA

Rediff.com20 Jun 2019

'You cannot win an election without putting together a massive war chest.' 'It is impossible to put a war chest together, without giving and taking favours from India Inc, with a large dose of extortion thrown in,' says Devangshu Datta.

It's final: Rishi Sunak will face off with Liz Truss for British PM post

It's final: Rishi Sunak will face off with Liz Truss for British PM post

Rediff.com20 Jul 2022

Rishi Sunak on Wednesday clinched his place for the final leg of the race to succeed Boris Johnson and will go head-to-head with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss as one of two finalists to take charge as Conservative Party leader and British prime minister.

SC denies stay on arrest to Tandav team, issues notice to states

SC denies stay on arrest to Tandav team, issues notice to states

Rediff.com28 Jan 2021

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to grant interim protection from arrest to Ali Abbas Zafar, director of the web series Tandav, and others seeking the quashing of FIRs against them for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Hindus, and issued notices Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and other states on their pleas.

21st century will be freedom's century: Bush

21st century will be freedom's century: Bush

Rediff.com23 Feb 2006

We can proceed with confidence because we have two partners -- two strong partners -- in India and Pakistan, said Bush.

Govt pulls up Twitter on late compliance of its order

Govt pulls up Twitter on late compliance of its order

Rediff.com11 Feb 2021

The government questioned the manner in which Twitter "officially allows fake, unverified, anonymous and automated bot accounts to be operated on its platform" and said it raises doubts about its commitment to transparency and healthy conversation on the platform.

No change in US' policy on J-K: Biden administration

No change in US' policy on J-K: Biden administration

Rediff.com12 Feb 2021

According to a 2019 Congressional Research Service report of August 2019, a longstanding goal of US policy in South Asia has been to prevent the India-Pakistan conflict from escalating to interstate war.

India has to grow big, those blocking way will be eliminated: RSS chief

India has to grow big, those blocking way will be eliminated: RSS chief

Rediff.com15 Apr 2022

Likening India's progress to that of a vehicle that only has accelerator and no brakes, the RSS chief said those trying to stop it will either step aside or be eliminated.

'Indian democracy faces an unprecedented challenge'

'Indian democracy faces an unprecedented challenge'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2021

'The larger intention is to create a political State where there is no opposition.'

Jama Masjid Shahi Imam urges Modi, Shah to quell winds of hatred

Jama Masjid Shahi Imam urges Modi, Shah to quell winds of hatred

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

The Shahi Imam also said he will soon seek an appointment to meet Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, saying the meeting was necessary in order to safeguard Hindus, Muslims, democracy and secularism in the country.

No, Friends is Not The Best Sitcom Ever!

No, Friends is Not The Best Sitcom Ever!

Rediff.com14 Jul 2023

'The pride of the devoted Seinfeld fan is that he happens to love a show that doesn't take his love for granted, so that even on repeat viewings he is never really sure what directions an episode might take,' observes Sreehari Nair.

No social media platform can violate citizens' rights: IT ministry sources

No social media platform can violate citizens' rights: IT ministry sources

Rediff.com30 Mar 2022

This is the first time that the IT ministry has outlined its stance in a dispute between users and social media platforms.

SC grants protection to 'The Wire' journos against FIRs in UP

SC grants protection to 'The Wire' journos against FIRs in UP

Rediff.com8 Sep 2021

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it does not want freedom of press to be muzzled but it cannot create a separate avenue for journalists to approach it directly for quashing of FIRs lodged against them.

TV journalist gets SC protection in Rahul Gandhi video row

TV journalist gets SC protection in Rahul Gandhi video row

Rediff.com5 Aug 2022

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and JB Pardiwala issued notice to Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh governments and said that no action be taken concerning the FIRs lodged in Raipur and at Sikar on the same cause of action.

Balochistan: Why Modi's speech is a game-changer

Balochistan: Why Modi's speech is a game-changer

Rediff.com6 Sep 2016

'Even if it is difficult to replicate Bangladesh, India can cause sufficient turmoil in Pakistan to keep it off balance,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Editors Guild files plea in SC seeking SIT probe into Pegasus scandal

Editors Guild files plea in SC seeking SIT probe into Pegasus scandal

Rediff.com3 Aug 2021

The guild's members and all journalists have the duty of holding all branches of government accountable by seeking information, explanations and constitutionally valid justifications for state action and inaction, it said.

Statements made in Dharam Sansad not Hindutva: RSS chief

Statements made in Dharam Sansad not Hindutva: RSS chief

Rediff.com7 Feb 2022

The Sangh chief said, "Even Veer Savarkar had said if the Hindu community gets united and organised, it will speak about the Bhagwad Gita and not about finishing or harming anyone."