News for 'People's Union of Civil Liberties'

Lok Sabha clears 3 criminal law bills in absence of Opposition

Lok Sabha clears 3 criminal law bills in absence of Opposition

Rediff.com20 Dec 2023

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed three bills to replace the colonial-era criminal laws by voice vote.

US whistleblower Edward Snowden joins Twitter

US whistleblower Edward Snowden joins Twitter

Rediff.com30 Sep 2015

In his profile, Snowden says he "used to work for the government. Now I work for the public".

'Killing 20 people is a massacre; you can't call it an encounter'

'Killing 20 people is a massacre; you can't call it an encounter'

Rediff.com8 Apr 2015

'There is a mafia operating in that area that lends money to these labourers. Loans are paid off with red sandalwood. The actual smugglers don't need to come to the area.'

Seshachalam killing: SIT says no evidence of 'encounter'

Seshachalam killing: SIT says no evidence of 'encounter'

Rediff.com14 Jun 2016

'This was expected. Did you really expect a SIT formed by the Andhra government to find their cops guilty? It was a farce from the beginning.'

Tripura Violence SM posts: SC lawyers slapped with UAPA

Tripura Violence SM posts: SC lawyers slapped with UAPA

Rediff.com5 Nov 2021

The Tripura police have registered a case against four Supreme Court lawyers under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly promoting communal disharmony with their social media posts about the recent violence targeting Muslims

'Government wants to turn us into goats and sheep'

'Government wants to turn us into goats and sheep'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2021

'Silencing citizens has become a major institutional process under this regime.' 'The anti-Indian argument is a bogey -- meant to silence independent thinking people in India and turn us into goats and sheep.'

The People's Judge

The People's Judge

Rediff.com5 Dec 2017

The 70-year-old is so unassuming that it is reported that he has not removed the name plate in his ancestral home in Jodhpur that reads, 'Judge, Supreme Court'.

Voters can exercise 'right to reject' during MP elections

Voters can exercise 'right to reject' during MP elections

Rediff.com1 Oct 2013

In view of the Supreme Court empowering voters with the right to reject, forthcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections will see electronic voting machines having a new and separate button for electorate not wishing to vote for any of the candidates in the fray.

'New Laws Will Make India A Police State'

'New Laws Will Make India A Police State'

Rediff.com26 Dec 2023

'These new laws give complete (impunity) to the police.' 'Whatever little accountability the police had, all that is gone now.' 'There is no accountability mechanism against the police for abusing or misusing in the new laws.'

US Sikhs launch app to report racial profiling at airports

US Sikhs launch app to report racial profiling at airports

Rediff.com4 Dec 2013

The Sikh Coalition released an updated version of FlyRights, an app intended to report racial profiling at airports to the relevant authorities, November 26.

In Vanita, US trusts: Desi picked as acting attorney general

In Vanita, US trusts: Desi picked as acting attorney general

Rediff.com16 Oct 2014

'Vanita Gupta is the greatest civil rights lawyer of her generation' Praise comes flying in from all corners Vanita Gupta is appointed acting US Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. The 39-year-old is known for her work in criminal justice reforms, legalising marijuana and racial justice, reports Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com.

Vanita Gupta becomes 1st Indian-American to be US associate attorney general

Vanita Gupta becomes 1st Indian-American to be US associate attorney general

Rediff.com22 Apr 2021

From 2014 to 2017, Gupta served as the assistant attorney general for civil rights under President Barack Obama, where she advanced criminal justice reform, prosecuted hate crimes, protected voting rights and fought against discrimination.

Assam police stop Congress delegation from going to Nagaland

Assam police stop Congress delegation from going to Nagaland

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

A delegation of Congress leaders, including Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi and All India Congress Committee general secretaries Jitendra Singh and Ajoy Kumar were stopped at Jorhat airport by the district administration on Wednesday when they were on way to Nagaland, where the Army gunned down 13 civilians in a botched anti-surgency operation.

Ex-DU Prof Saibaba acquitted after spending 8 yrs in 'Anda Cell'

Ex-DU Prof Saibaba acquitted after spending 8 yrs in 'Anda Cell'

Rediff.com15 Oct 2022

The SC, however, rejected NIA's request for immediate stay to the order.

Modi running a one-man Presidential government: Shourie

Modi running a one-man Presidential government: Shourie

Rediff.com7 May 2016

Arun Shourie on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of "narcissism" and of running a one-man "Presidential government" the direction of which was "dangerous" for India.

All you need to know about the Left-wing activists who were arrested

All you need to know about the Left-wing activists who were arrested

Rediff.com28 Aug 2018

Maharashtra police on Tuesday raided the homes of prominent Left-wing activists in several states and arrested at least five of them for suspected Maoist links. Near simultaneous searches were carried out at the residences of prominent Telugu poet Varavara Rao in Hyderabad, activists Vernon Gonzalves and Arun Farreira in Mumbai, trade union activist Sudha Bhardwaj in Faridabad, and civil liberties activist Gautam Navalakha in New Delhi. Subsequently, Rao, Bhardwaj and Farreira were arrested. Although Navalakha was also arrested, the Delhi high court ordered police not to take him out of the national capital at least until Wednesday. According to unconfirmed reports, others whose residences were raided are Susan Abraham, Kranthi Tekula, Father Stan Swamy in Ranchi and Anand Teltumbde in Goa. The raids were carried out as part of a probe into the violence between Dalits and the upper caste Peshwas at Koregaon-Bhima village near Pune after an event called Elgar Parishad, or conclave, on December 31 last year. Here are their brief profiles:

Cong's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to begin from Manipur on Sunday

Cong's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to begin from Manipur on Sunday

Rediff.com13 Jan 2024

The Congress will begin the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from the violence-hit Manipur on Sunday, in what is being seen as the party's bid to set the narrative in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls and put the spotlight on issues such as unemployment, price rise and social justice.

America protests against Trump's immigration policies

America protests against Trump's immigration policies

Rediff.com1 Jul 2018

Tens of thousands of people, including Indian-Americans, took to streets in several United States cities to protest against controversial immigration policies of US President Donald Trump which has resulted in separation of children of illegal immigrants.

'This is like a genocide and dictatorship'

'This is like a genocide and dictatorship'

Rediff.com5 Jul 2018

In a year of the Yogi Adityanath regime in Uttar Pradesh, the state has witnessed 1,500 police encounter in which 58 criminals have been killed. On July 2, the Supreme Court sought a reply from the UP government on the issue of police encounter killings after advocate Sanjay Parekh appearing for the People's Union for Civil Liberties pointed out that gross human rights violations were being carried out through these killings under the Adityanath rule. Speaking to Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com, PUCL's advocate Sanjay Parekh said that police encounters are not permissible in a democracy.

Stan Swamy conspired with Maoists to overthrow govt: Court

Stan Swamy conspired with Maoists to overthrow govt: Court

Rediff.com23 Mar 2021

Special judge DE Kothalikar, who rejected Swamy's bail plea on Monday, said in his order, which was made available on Tuesday, that based on the material on record it seemed Swamy was a member of banned Maoist organisation.

Rahul's yatra to cover 15 states, now renamed as...

Rahul's yatra to cover 15 states, now renamed as...

Rediff.com4 Jan 2024

The Congress on Thursday renamed the Rahul Gandhi-led Manipur-Mumbai yatra starting on January 14 as the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which will travel through 100 Lok Sabha segments in 15 states including Arunachal Pradesh, and asserted it will prove to be as 'transformative' as his earlier cross-country march.

India, A Miracle And A Wonder

India, A Miracle And A Wonder

Rediff.com16 Aug 2023

'There are many things we need to work on.' 'At the heart of it is, one, the extent of inequality, which is not good for democracy and nation; two, a structural decline on how a country ought to function, how people should be held accountable, whose role is what.'

'Why was the police car not taken up to the hospital doorstep?

'Why was the police car not taken up to the hospital doorstep?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2023

'Where was the armed police?' 'Did you see armed constables around him?' 'There was deep negligence by the UP police and this was a deep conspiracy.'

Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar dead; Prez, PM, others pay tribute

Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar dead; Prez, PM, others pay tribute

Rediff.com23 Aug 2018

President Ram Nath Kovind said he was 'a determined champion of democracy during the Emergency' and would be missed by his readers.

Elgar case: Activist Rona Wilson's phone infected with Pegasus

Elgar case: Activist Rona Wilson's phone infected with Pegasus

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

The analysis showed that two backups of the iPhone 6s belonging to Wilson had digital traces showing infection by the Pegasus surveillance tool, which its developer, the Israeli cybersecurity firm NSO Group, has said has been licensed only to government agencies.

Why Are Christians Being Targeted?

Why Are Christians Being Targeted?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

There have been over 300 attacks against Christians and their churches and prayer halls, primarily in northern India, states Aakar Patel.

'These murders look very suspicious'

'These murders look very suspicious'

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

'Was the entire place properly sanitised by the police before he was brought out of the prison for this medical check-up?' 'Once he filed a plea in the Supreme Court stating there was a threat to his life, the UP police should have maintained stricter vigilance.'

An app to enable you to vote

An app to enable you to vote

Rediff.com25 May 2019

Khalid Saifullah created Missing Voters, an app which enables people to conveniently apply for voter cards.

Jaipur: Cow vigilantes thrash hotel owner over beef rumours

Jaipur: Cow vigilantes thrash hotel owner over beef rumours

Rediff.com21 Mar 2017

The members of the Dal alleged that the hotel staffers were throwing meat in the open and cows were getting sick after consuming the remains.

'If Section 66A of IT Act goes, something else will come in'

'If Section 66A of IT Act goes, something else will come in'

Rediff.com14 Sep 2022

'The cases have not reduced because the prosecution has found some other way to stop people from using their right to free speech.'

Protests sweep US

Protests sweep US

Rediff.com4 Jun 2020

Nine days after the death of George Floyd, protesters are still out on the streets of major cities across America, even with curfews now in place. The 46-year-old was killed when a white police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes while he lay handcuffed and pinned to the ground gasping for breath on May 25. As per latest reports, Floyd, the African-American had tested positive for the coronavirus in April, according to the medical examiner's report. Meanwhile, a Minnesota court has upgraded the charges against former Minneapolis police offcer Derek Chauvin who pressed his knee into George Floyd's neck to second-degree murder and three other officers present during the incident have been charged with aiding and abetting murder. Soon after, Floyd's family issued a statement, saying, "This is a bittersweet moment. We are deeply gratified that @AGEllison took decisive action, arresting & charging ALL the officers involved in George Floyd's death & upgrading the charge against Derek Chauvin to felony second-degree murder." Former United States President Barack Obama too held a livestream event in which he urged young people to "stay hopeful" and take action. "Just remember, this country was founded on protest," he said. Raising his voice against the US president, former secretary of defense James Mattis slammed Trump as "the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people," in a forceful rebuke of his former boss. "We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership," he said.

Home ministry serves notice 2 NGOs run by Teesta Setalvad

Home ministry serves notice 2 NGOs run by Teesta Setalvad

Rediff.com19 Jun 2015

Two non-government organisations run by social activist Teesta Setalvad and her husband have been served notice by the home ministry for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and asked to reply within 15 days.

Mass quarantining permissible, says Bombay HC

Mass quarantining permissible, says Bombay HC

Rediff.com12 May 2020

'Time is of the essence in a quarantine situation, perhaps the best way in the present unprecedented situation to balance conflicting interests between individual's rights and public health is to allow for immediate quarantine for preventing spread of contagious and infectious COVID-19'

Ex-babus ask SC to withdraw remarks in Gujarat riots case, order Teesta's release

Ex-babus ask SC to withdraw remarks in Gujarat riots case, order Teesta's release

Rediff.com6 Jul 2022

A group of noted former civil servants on Wednesday sought withdrawal of the Supreme Court's "gratuitous observations" against social activist Teesta Sitalvad and others while upholding the SIT's clean chit to the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 communal riots in the state.

Will BJP lift AFSPA to retain power in Manipur?

Will BJP lift AFSPA to retain power in Manipur?

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

Now, the chief minister is under pressure to make good his promise after the December 4 incident in Nagaland's Mon, where 14 people were killedAFSPA has eclipsed all other achievements of the Biren Singh government.

'It's a clear declaration of emergency': Rights groups on raids on activists

'It's a clear declaration of emergency': Rights groups on raids on activists

Rediff.com28 Aug 2018

Pune police on Tuesday raided homes of prominent Left-wing activists in several states and arrested at least five of them -- poet Varavara Rao in Hyderabad, activists Vernon Gonzalves and Arun Ferreira in Mumbai, trade unionist and lawyer Sudha Bhardwaj in Faridabad and Chhattisgarh and civil liberties activist Gautam Navalakha in Delhi.

'Govt wants 1.38 bn Indians to be yes men of the ruling party'

'Govt wants 1.38 bn Indians to be yes men of the ruling party'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2021

'It is a sad day when social activists, environmental campaigners, anti-corruption workers are singled out as anti-nationals and then criminalised.'

10 concerns raised against triple talaq bill

10 concerns raised against triple talaq bill

Rediff.com27 Dec 2018

Women activists urged the government to withdraw the Bill from consideration in the Rajya Sabha, and review the fundamental flaws pending broad-based community consultations.

Raje won't have many women MLAs in the Assembly

Raje won't have many women MLAs in the Assembly

Rediff.com8 Dec 2013

The 14th Rajasthan Assembly may have a woman chief minister but it will see less representation from the community compared to the 2008 assembly.

90% handicapped professor sentenced to life in prison

90% handicapped professor sentenced to life in prison

Rediff.com7 Mar 2017

'In the history of Maharashtra this is the first case in which all the persons chargesheeted were all convicted under all the sections they were charged with, and sentenced to life.'