News for 'Freedom of Speech'

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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).

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.

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'.

'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.'

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.

'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.'

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 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.

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.

Why the law on sedition needs to be scrapped

Why the law on sedition needs to be scrapped

Rediff.com16 Jul 2018

'The best remedy would be to scrap Section 124-A of the IPC, a colonial vestige, altogether.' 'However, if legislators don't want to do so, they can do two things.' 'They can formally amend Section 124-A to bring it in line with what the Supreme Court has said about sedition.' 'The words which stand on the statute book today were inserted in 1898.' 'The Supreme Court's words are not a part of Section 124-A.'

Trump to discuss CAA, NRC with Modi during India visit: WH

Trump to discuss CAA, NRC with Modi during India visit: WH

Rediff.com22 Feb 2020

'I think the President will note that the world is looking to India to continue to uphold its democratic traditions, respect for religious minorities,' the official said.

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.

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 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.

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.

Arnab's arrest is not revenge politics: Shiv Sena

Arnab's arrest is not revenge politics: Shiv Sena

Rediff.com4 Nov 2020

"Proper procedure of law is followed in Maharashtra. Police can take action against anyone if they have evidence. The state government hasn't acted out of revenge," Raut told reporters when asked about Goswami's arrest.

Shami, Harbhajan hit out at Imran Khan for speaking of hatred

Shami, Harbhajan hit out at Imran Khan for speaking of hatred

Rediff.com2 Oct 2019

Harbhajan Singh lashed out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for speaking of hatred in his UN General Assembly speech.

Fab Four! These girls will set your screens on fire

Fab Four! These girls will set your screens on fire

Rediff.com23 May 2020

The gorgeous star cast of Four More Shots Please! is on The Man's latest cover.

What we need for India to become truly great

What we need for India to become truly great

Rediff.com15 Nov 2018

Unless Indians learn to speak freely and fearlessly, 'true greatness will elude this nation, no matter how brilliant the individual at the helm may be,' says Aakar Patel.

Cops question Twitter India head over 'toolkit row': Sources

Cops question Twitter India head over 'toolkit row': Sources

Rediff.com17 Jun 2021

The police had also visited the Twitter India offices in Lado Sarai, Delhi and Gurgaon on May 24 with the notice over the tagging some of the posts on an alleged Congress "toolkit" against the Central government, as "manipulated media".

My rights end where yours begin

My rights end where yours begin

Rediff.com6 Mar 2017

Freedom of speech and expression does not merit debate; it exists with conditions to regulate its use. However, a citizen's rights end where another citizen's begin

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.

Arnab Goswami accuses 'Sonia's goons' of attacking him

Arnab Goswami accuses 'Sonia's goons' of attacking him

Rediff.com23 Apr 2020

In a video posted after the alleged attack, Goswami said he was told by his security guards that the attackers were allegedly Youth Congress workers. However, there was no confirmation of the same by either police or the youth outfit.

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."

Is India becoming a flawed democracy?

Is India becoming a flawed democracy?

Rediff.com9 Feb 2021

For those who think India's democracy is just fine and there has been no change in the last few years, perhaps it would be instructive to see what has happened on a few issues, observes Aakar Patel.

Don't Use Netaji To Score Political Points

Don't Use Netaji To Score Political Points

Rediff.com24 Jan 2022

Bose's views make it amply clear how he would have dealt with communal and supremacist forces post-Independence had he been there at the helm instead of Nehru, points out Utkarsh Mishra.

'We will protest against anything we find offensive'

'We will protest against anything we find offensive'

Rediff.com14 Feb 2014

Freedom of speech does not mean you can write or say anything and everything. You cannot hurt the sentiments of the people on the pretext of freedom of speech, says Dinanath Batra, one of the main petitioners against Wendy Doniger's book, The Hindus: An Alternative History.

HC upholds single judge's order barring Media One, cites security of State

HC upholds single judge's order barring Media One, cites security of State

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

The Kerala high court on Wednesday upheld the Centre's decision to deny security clearance to Malayalam news channel Media One saying it was of the view there were certain aspects, in the intelligence reports about the channel which affect public order or national security.

Lies being spread about revision of textbooks, says Karnataka minister

Lies being spread about revision of textbooks, says Karnataka minister

Rediff.com23 May 2022

Strongly defending the move to revise school textbooks, Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh on Monday alleged that confusion is unnecessarily being created among the people and students, along with attempts to create communal hatred by spreading falsehood.

News broadcasters demand exemption from new IT rules

News broadcasters demand exemption from new IT rules

Rediff.com27 May 2021

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) Thursday urged the government to 'exempt and exclude' the traditional television news media and its extended presence on the digital news platforms from the ambit of the IT Rules 2021, saying it is already 'sufficiently regulated' by various statutes, laws, guidelines, codes and regulations.

Supreme court upholds criminal defamation law

Supreme court upholds criminal defamation law

Rediff.com13 May 2016

The verdict was reserved on August 13 last year after bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Prafulla C Pant heard the matter spread over a month.

Indian-American comedians extend support to Munawar Faruqui

Indian-American comedians extend support to Munawar Faruqui

Rediff.com9 Feb 2021

In their comments, the Indian-American stand-up comedians said the arrest of Faruqui was incredibly unjust and against the freedom of expression.

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.