News for 'Liberal Islam'

Modi is our most Nehruvian prime minister

Modi is our most Nehruvian prime minister

Rediff.com1 Jun 2016

Like Nehru, Modi is loathe to touch the public sector. His policy towards Israel leans towards 'non-alignment'. You can find other similarities: frequent public speeches, personalised leadership, total control over foreign and strategic policies, even stylised dressing, says Shekhar Gupta.

A tragedy called President Trump? Not quite

A tragedy called President Trump? Not quite

Rediff.com7 Dec 2016

Protectionism and a rollback of regulation. Defusion of tensions with Russia and a lowering of geo-political risks. Looser fiscal policy and tighter monetary policy. At least Donald Trump can't be faulted for not trying something different where existing policies have disappointed, says T T Ram Mohan.

Muslim role in Indian politics needs to be re-defined

Muslim role in Indian politics needs to be re-defined

Rediff.com26 Feb 2018

'They must take the bull of conservatism within their own ranks by its horns as much as they need to speak out against the fallacies of the non-Hindutva (or 'Muslim-friendly') political forces as well,' argues Mohammad Sajjad.

How India drowned Pakistan's voice in America

How India drowned Pakistan's voice in America

Rediff.com4 May 2017

The start of Indian lobbying in the US can be traced back to Pakistan's anti-India lobbying. Policy wonk Ashok Sharma documents this journey and its catalytic role in transforming the US-India relationship.

'Hindiuism is inclusive, assimilative and based on dialogue'

'Hindiuism is inclusive, assimilative and based on dialogue'

Rediff.com23 Oct 2018

'It is exceptionally important for Hindus to once again get in touch with the foundation of Hinduism.' 'Aggressive evangelists are reducing Hinduism to its lowest common denominator.'

US, UK, France launch strikes in Syria, destroy chemical weapon factories

US, UK, France launch strikes in Syria, destroy chemical weapon factories

Rediff.com14 Apr 2018

The White House said it has 'a large body' of evidence indicating that the Assad regime was responsible for the April 7 chemical attack in Duma.

'Supreme Court should have heard 300 mn SC/STs'

'Supreme Court should have heard 300 mn SC/STs'

Rediff.com10 Apr 2018

'The court came to a conclusion using one person's case... Based on that one case, the term "rampant misuse" was used as if it is a generalisation.' 'If one in 10 cases turns out to be false, is it possible to call the Act a charter for blackmail or charter for personal vengeance?' 'Is there any Act either in India or anywhere in the world where there are no false cases?'

Secured in Dhaka, but squandered in Shimla

Secured in Dhaka, but squandered in Shimla

Rediff.com2 Jul 2016

'Indira Gandhi, it appears, did not to consult her Cabinet colleagues, or diplomats, or civil servants when she decided to sign the agreement in Shimla.' 'We ruefully recall Bhutto's perfidy and the Indian prime minister's gullibility,' says Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd).

When they came for the Muslims, where were you?

When they came for the Muslims, where were you?

Rediff.com9 Feb 2017

Civil rights activist Lakshmi Sridaran argues why South Asians must stand on the right side of history and resist the Trump administration's "systematic attack on the entire spectrum of the US immigration system."

What we need to do in Kashmir. Now!

What we need to do in Kashmir. Now!

Rediff.com8 May 2017

The escalating situation in the Kashmir valley is the vanguard actions of global jihad, says Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd). And in this battle, he believes, perception management operations will be just important as operations to neutralise the terrorists.

'Malala is the real deal'

'Malala is the real deal'

Rediff.com30 Sep 2015

'She is a genuine, real, person who wants to be with girls who are suffering the way she suffered.'

Sony World Photography Awards presents the most wonderful and weird moments

Sony World Photography Awards presents the most wonderful and weird moments

Rediff.com1 Mar 2017

In the pitch dark of the African night, a herd of cape buffaloes gather at the watering hole for a drink, taking care to stay by the edge to avoid the crocodiles lurking in the depths. In Gangiova, a village in Romania, a doctor places her stethoscope to the chest of a newborn baby, listening intently for the beating of his tiny heart. These are just some of the moments that have been picked by the judges for the Sony World Photography Awards. For the 2017 competition, photographers entered 227,596 images across the awards' Professional, Open and Youth categories. The Open competition winner will receive $5,000 (Rs 3.3 lakh), Sony digital imaging equipment and flights and accommodation to the awards ceremony at Somerset House in London. Sony World Photography Awards has been kind enough to share some of their shortlisted pieces with us.

'Axis of evil' now a pivot of peace?

'Axis of evil' now a pivot of peace?

Rediff.com29 Nov 2013

The implications of the interim deal between Iran and the world's big powers go far beyond the nuclear programme, says Nitin Pai

The power game needs nimble diplomacy

The power game needs nimble diplomacy

Rediff.com3 Feb 2015

PM Modi seems to be gradually ending India's strategic ambiguity

The Indian and Pakistani behind one of 2015's most important films

The Indian and Pakistani behind one of 2015's most important films

Rediff.com21 Apr 2015

Hemal Trivedi, a Hindu filmmaker originally from India, and Mohammed Ali Naqvi, a Muslim from Pakistan have made one of this year's most talked about films.

Is Sabrimala ready for Trupti Desai?

Is Sabrimala ready for Trupti Desai?

Rediff.com2 Jan 2017

Trupti Desai's fight earned women the right to enter the inner sanctums of the Shani Shingnapur Temple, the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple and the Haji Ali Dargah. Her next target is Sabarimala in Kerala. Aditi Phadnis reports.

The war that helped India regain its military confidence

The war that helped India regain its military confidence

Rediff.com26 Aug 2015

'India was in no position to wage another war in 1965, having suffered a morale-shattering defeat in 1962. The three services were in the middle of a modernisation and expansion phase and therefore not fully trained or battle-ready.'

'Manto's predictions of Pakistan are shockingly accurate'

'Manto's predictions of Pakistan are shockingly accurate'

Rediff.com14 Jul 2014

'Manto is the only writer to grasp what the project of Pakistan would eventually mean,' says Aakar Patel, who has translated a collection of Saadat Hasan Manto's essays in a just-released book Why I Write.

Gharvapasi: Home is Where the Heart is!

Gharvapasi: Home is Where the Heart is!

Rediff.com29 Dec 2014

'We must begin dialogue with openness and goodwill, but we will not proceed very far without trust and good faith. The alternative is the violence of 'might is right,' which settles very little and destroys so much of real value,' says Dr Rudolf C Heredia, author of Religious Disarmament -- Rethinking Conversion in India.

FULL TEXT of Trump's address on South Asia policy

FULL TEXT of Trump's address on South Asia policy

Rediff.com22 Aug 2017

'For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror.'

Muhammad Ali: 'Greatest' boxer, showman, ambassador

Muhammad Ali: 'Greatest' boxer, showman, ambassador

Rediff.com4 Jun 2016

More than 60 years ago, a bicycle thief in Louisville, Kentucky, unknowingly set in motion one of the most amazing sports careers in history.

What China's military plans mean for India

What China's military plans mean for India

Rediff.com27 Oct 2015

'There are major implications for India. Though there was a transparently thin attempt to project the troop reduction as intended to promote peace, the downsizing is actually part of plans to streamline and strengthen the PLA, capable of defending China's national interests at home and abroad,' says Jayadev Ranade.

100 days of Donald Trump: The method in his madness

100 days of Donald Trump: The method in his madness

Rediff.com17 Apr 2017

The world is still figuring out the man as he continues his enigmatic journey towards the first 100 days of his presidency.

The Pakistan that India loves!

The Pakistan that India loves!

Rediff.com7 May 2015

The ordinary life lived in Pakistan is rarely a part of Indian imagination. This is this gap that Pakistani television serials have succeeded in bridging, says Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

Will Pakistan's new army chief cool down tensions with India?

Will Pakistan's new army chief cool down tensions with India?

Rediff.com27 Nov 2016

'General Bajwa is believed to consider the internal threats to Pakistan's security as far more serious than the bogey of the Indian threat.' 'This doesn't mean that he is soft on India, only that he is more rational and sensible than his predecessor who had a bit of a chip on his shoulder about India,' points out Pakistan expert Sushant Sareen.

Watch out India, a terror storm is brewing

Watch out India, a terror storm is brewing

Rediff.com10 Jul 2015

Countries in the region like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Maldives face serious existential threats from a mix of terrorist groups active in the region and elsewhere

Donald Trump: A dangerous mind

Donald Trump: A dangerous mind

Rediff.com27 Jul 2016

'India and Indian Americans cannot rely on wishful thinking about the checks and balances in the US system to magically take care of the many dangerous things that Trump could do,' says Chicago-based writer Ram Kelkar.

Good God! Thou ate beef?

Good God! Thou ate beef?

Rediff.com5 Mar 2015

'If policy-makers hold the lives of animals to be more significant than the welfare of a human populace, I can't believe that they're likely to do anything progressive for India.'

Champions of peace Satyarthi, Malala receive Nobel Peace Prize

Champions of peace Satyarthi, Malala receive Nobel Peace Prize

Rediff.com10 Dec 2014

India's Kailash Satyarthi received the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 on Wednesday, sharing it with Pakistan's Malala Yousafzai, the youngest ever Nobel laureate, for their work on promoting child rights in the troubled sub-continent, where millions are deprived of their childhood and education.

Why Trump's immigration ban should worry Indians

Why Trump's immigration ban should worry Indians

Rediff.com1 Feb 2017

'We are going to see relatively soon an executive order that deals with H-1B and other temporary visas.' 'We are also going to see an executive order on undocumented people.' 'Undocumented Indians comprise the largest population growth of all undocumented people in this country.' 'Just because India is not named in this executive order doesn't mean it won't be in the future.'

'Imagine the signal India would send if it joined the coalition to confront ISIS'

'Imagine the signal India would send if it joined the coalition to confront ISIS'

Rediff.com10 Sep 2014

'The US wants Modi to succeed because we want India to succeed. For our part, when India thinks of its partners in the world, we want it to think of the US first. That means positioning our country as the preferred provider of the key inputs that can help to propel India's rise.' 'The meeting between Modi and Obama is, and must be, an opportunity for true strategic dialogue -- not a scripted exchange of talking points, but an open discussion of the big questions. What kind of world do we want to live in? What are our true priorities? And most importantly, why does this partnership still matter?'

Why the BJP must stand up to fake protests

Why the BJP must stand up to fake protests

Rediff.com5 Nov 2015

'While the government must be relentless in its efforts to curb unruly elements to ensure secular harmony and protect its goal of national development,it must not lose the moral high ground by giving in to the antics of the anti-nationalist lobby.' 'They must be countered and relegated to the dustbin of history,' says Vivek Gumaste.

China-Pakistan axis: 'The best may be yet to come'

China-Pakistan axis: 'The best may be yet to come'

Rediff.com16 Feb 2015

'Whether it's investments in Kashmir, building naval facilities, or selling top-of-the-range military equipment, Pakistan could well benefit more under Xi's watch.' 'Do Chinese concerns about the 'Islamisation' of Pakistan give it pause about how quickly to move forward with security and economic projects? At the moment the indication is quite the opposite: China is doubling down on its support to Pakistan, partly because of its fears about where the country is headed.'

Right to privacy verdict: What the judges said

Right to privacy verdict: What the judges said

Rediff.com25 Aug 2017

The verdict could impact a range of life choices of Indians, including food habits and sexual orientation.

Watch out Mr Modi! Danger confronts India

Watch out Mr Modi! Danger confronts India

Rediff.com16 Jul 2014

'Three security challenges could emerge shortly. The possibility (almost bordering on certainty) is as certain as the fact that night follows day: A terrorist attack by a Pakistan-based group. Chinese intrusion on the border.Communal tension/riots.' Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) explains what the Modi Sarkar needs to be prepared for.

How can there be peace if Pakistan uses terror against us?

How can there be peace if Pakistan uses terror against us?

Rediff.com5 Oct 2015

'How can Kashmir be demilitarised if the terrorist threat remains and Pakistan continues to incite elements in Kashmir to keep the internal situation unstable?' asks former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal.

Why 2014 looks eerily like 1914

Why 2014 looks eerily like 1914

Rediff.com30 Jul 2014

'The parallels between 1914 and 2014 are striking. The crumbling of American and Russian hegemony, the rise of powerful terrorist groups, ferment in the Middle East and the rise of China... These closely mirror the world of 1914,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

The chief minister who lives on 10,000 per month!

The chief minister who lives on 10,000 per month!

Rediff.com16 Feb 2016

'The present government's greatest weakness is its intolerance. Tolerance is the key tenet of democracy. How can any government stop someone from speaking one's mind?'

Can Modi and Xi 'reset' Sino-Indian ties?

Can Modi and Xi 'reset' Sino-Indian ties?

Rediff.com14 May 2015

'China's excessive military aid to Pakistan is the real elephant in the room as far as Sino-Indian relations are concerned. India should be confident enough to accept a degree of closeness between China and Pakistan, since China may wish to use this link for its foray into the Muslim world.' 'But the Chinese must be realistic enough to know that as time passes, the tactic of using Pakistan as a proxy to check India will yield diminishing returns. The US tried it for 60 years but failed, so will China,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Terror bled these 10 nations; India 6th

Terror bled these 10 nations; India 6th

Rediff.com25 Nov 2014

While Iraq and Afghanistan top the Global Terrorism Index 2014 as the most terror-affected nations, India has been ranked number six.