News for 'Restoration of Democracy'

'No other state fights so much with the Centre'

'No other state fights so much with the Centre'

Rediff.com11 Jun 2020

'Why should the state and Centre fight?'

Full Text: President's joint address to both houses of Parliament

Full Text: President's joint address to both houses of Parliament

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

Here's the full text of President's Ram Nath Kovind's address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on the first of Budget Session 2022.

Indo-US partnership will help world bounce back from COVID-19 crisis: Modi

Indo-US partnership will help world bounce back from COVID-19 crisis: Modi

Rediff.com23 Jul 2020

Stating that open markets mean more opportunities, Modi said during the last six years the government has made many efforts to make the Indian economy more open and reform oriented.

After 54-year freeze, US and Cuba formally re-establish diplomatic ties

After 54-year freeze, US and Cuba formally re-establish diplomatic ties

Rediff.com2 Jul 2015

The United States and Cuba have announced that they have formally re-established diplomatic relations after 54-year freeze and would reopen embassies in their respective capitals from July 20, a major step towards normalisation of ties between the Cold War foes.

Kashmir Modi-fied: J-K to become 2 UTs, Art 370 is history

Kashmir Modi-fied: J-K to become 2 UTs, Art 370 is history

Rediff.com6 Aug 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the passage of bills as a "momentous occasion" in parliamentary democracy and said a new dawn awaits the people there as they are now free from the "shackles" of vested interest groups.

Violence mars West Bengal panchayat polls, 12 killed

Violence mars West Bengal panchayat polls, 12 killed

Rediff.com14 May 2018

The Centre has sought a detailed report from the West Bengal government on the circumstances leading to the violence.

How Abe enabled the India-Japan nuclear deal

How Abe enabled the India-Japan nuclear deal

Rediff.com15 Sep 2020

Prime Ministers Modi and Abe enjoyed a close and empathetic relationship and this certainly gave a sustained momentum to the India-Japan strategic partnership. It is necessary for India to reach out and engage with his successor as early as possible, advises former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Abdullah Abdullah emerges front-runner in Afghan poll

Abdullah Abdullah emerges front-runner in Afghan poll

Rediff.com11 Jun 2014

P B Chandra reports from Kabul on the Afghan presidential election, that has entered a run-off stage for the first time. The battle now is between the two frontrunners Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, with Abdullah holding the edge.

'Putin won't risk improving relations with Pakistan at India's expense'

'Putin won't risk improving relations with Pakistan at India's expense'

Rediff.com18 Mar 2018

'But Russia is well aware of Pakistan's nuisance power on its border.'

PM Modi inaugurates museum at Rashtrapati Bhavan

PM Modi inaugurates museum at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rediff.com26 Jul 2016

PM Modi inaugurates the second phase of Rashtrapati Bhavan museum.

Congress is Gandhis, Gandhis are the Congress

Congress is Gandhis, Gandhis are the Congress

Rediff.com25 Aug 2020

'In spirit, and more importantly in its DNA, this is the Congress Inc, or Incorporated, a family-run entity,' notes Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Bumpy Road for India with Biden

Bumpy Road for India with Biden

Rediff.com8 Nov 2020

'Any normal human being, even if he is the American president, will find it hard, at least in the initial stages, to get over the gnawing feeling that Modi is Trump's man.' 'Modi should not be surprised if India and its requirements are treated as of low priority by Joe Biden,' warns B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.

Modi will have a good relationship with Biden

Modi will have a good relationship with Biden

Rediff.com8 Nov 2020

'The credit for managing Trump should go to Modi.' 'Biden is a predictable and rational person with plenty of administrative experience,' notes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Kashmiri Pandit sarpanch killed by terrorists cremated

Kashmiri Pandit sarpanch killed by terrorists cremated

Rediff.com9 Jun 2020

Ajay Pandita, sarpanch of the Larkipora area in Anantnag district and a member of the Congress party, was shot at by terrorists in his native village at around 6 pm, a police official said. He said Pandita was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

Bills pending for over 5 yrs in RS should lapse: VP

Bills pending for over 5 yrs in RS should lapse: VP

Rediff.com21 Jun 2019

Under the provision of the Constitution, bills passed by the Lok Sabha during the course of its five year term and pending in the Rajya Sabha get lapsed with the dissolution of the House of the People. Separately, any bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha remained a property of the House irrespective of the fate of Lok Sabha.

Obama rejects Republican 'threats' in budget standoff

Obama rejects Republican 'threats' in budget standoff

Rediff.com9 Oct 2013

A defiant US President Barack Obama on Wednesday said he is willing to open talks with Republicans to defuse the budget crisis that has caused the crippling government shutdown, but refused to be intimidated by their "extortion threats" regarding his contentious healthcare plan.

Ashok Chakra for late Major Mukund Varadarajan

Ashok Chakra for late Major Mukund Varadarajan

Rediff.com14 Aug 2014

An army major, who killed two terrorists in an encounter in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, has been posthumously conferred the highest peacetime gallantry medal Ashok Chakra on the occasion of Independence Day.

Modi gets ready for the Battle of 2024

Modi gets ready for the Battle of 2024

Rediff.com26 Feb 2021

'The BJP's all-India plans can be expected to become clearer around 2022-2023, particularly if -- as some anticipate -- the senior Congress leadership cracks, broadly as between the Nehru-Gandhi loyalists and those who may be termed 'pro-changers',' observes Arun Bhatnagar, a retired IAS officer.

'Congress is clear that we can't become BJP-lite'

'Congress is clear that we can't become BJP-lite'

Rediff.com1 Nov 2020

Secularism as a principle and practice in India is in "danger", but "forces of hatred" cannot alter the country's secular character, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said during an interview on his new book 'The Battle of Belonging'. In the book, Tharoor makes a stinging critique of the Hindutva doctrine, asserting that it is a political doctrine, not a religious one.

Delhi: Constable among 4 killed in violent clashes over CAA, 50 injured

Delhi: Constable among 4 killed in violent clashes over CAA, 50 injured

Rediff.com25 Feb 2020

The violence-affected areas witnessed several rounds of stone-pelting from pro and anti-CAA protesters. At least 11 police personnel, including DCP Shahdara and ACP (Gokalpuri) were injured. 2 CRPF personnel were also injured. All private and government schools in Northeast Delhi district will remain closed on Tuesday.

Indian journalist among 2 scribes held in Maldives

Indian journalist among 2 scribes held in Maldives

Rediff.com9 Feb 2018

The action against the two journalists came as a privately-owned television station in the Maldives went off the air, citing threats during the country's current state of emergency.

Buzz: Ex-BCCI umpire translates Laws of Cricket into Hindi

Buzz: Ex-BCCI umpire translates Laws of Cricket into Hindi

Rediff.com25 Jul 2020

He expressed hope that it will also benefit a large number of Hindi-speaking umpires and those giving training in this field, to whom the rules in English are hard to understand.

With China, how Modi blundered like Nehru

With China, how Modi blundered like Nehru

Rediff.com9 Jun 2020

'Doklam was almost like a trailer to what is happening in Ladakh today.' 'Modi failed to take note and failed to act,' observes Harishchandra Dighe.

Stalin detained after protest against trust vote

Stalin detained after protest against trust vote

Rediff.com18 Feb 2017

Terming Saturday as a "black day" for democracy, the senior DMK leader urged all those who wanted to "remove" the "anti- democratic" All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government to join him.

In office of profit case, Delhi HC sets aside disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs

In office of profit case, Delhi HC sets aside disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs

Rediff.com23 Mar 2018

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar quashed the Centre's notification disqualifying the AAP MLAs, saying the the EC's recommendation against the legislators was "bad in law" and "vitiated".

What Modi can learn from Abe

What Modi can learn from Abe

Rediff.com31 Aug 2020

Both have been robustly muscular leaders who began as immensely charismatic politicians conveying an impression that they were makers of history, raring to go. Both have been hyperactive on the world stage. But in the final analysis, Abe is departing on a sombre note, unceremoniously and apologetically, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Trump impeached by US House, faces Senate trial

Trump impeached by US House, faces Senate trial

Rediff.com19 Dec 2019

The 1st article of impeachment, abuse of power, was on party lines with 230 to 197 votes, while the 2nd, obstruction to the Congress, was voted 229-198.

Pak army chief: Kashmir is our 'jugular vein'

Pak army chief: Kashmir is our 'jugular vein'

Rediff.com1 May 2014

Pakistan's powerful Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif has described Kashmir as the "jugular vein" of his country, saying the issue should be resolved in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris and in line with UNSC resolutions for lasting peace in the region.

India faces no threat from the Ram temple

India faces no threat from the Ram temple

Rediff.com12 Aug 2020

'Now that the Ram mandir is done, we need to move on. And grapple with COVID-19, a sputtering economy, a belligerent China...' 'The temple may win a few more elections for the BJP, but by itself it won't solve the nation's growing problems of economic and social distress,' notes Virendra Kapoor.

Rajnath meets RSS chief, says BJP won't oppose Food Security Bill

Rajnath meets RSS chief, says BJP won't oppose Food Security Bill

Rediff.com6 Jul 2013

Terming the ordinance promulgated by the Union cabinet to implement the Food Security Bill as a "cruel joke" on democracy, Bharatiya Janat Party President Rajnath Singh said that his party would not oppose the passage of the bill in Parliament but seek amendments to it.

FM says Indian economy to touch $5 tn in few years. Do you agree?

FM says Indian economy to touch $5 tn in few years. Do you agree?

Rediff.com2 Jun 2016

India, he said, has opened up its markets and stepped up public investment including in the infrastructure space and is concentrating a lot on boosting expenditure to improve the quality of rural life

PM Modi appeals to Kashmiris for 'insaniyat'

PM Modi appeals to Kashmiris for 'insaniyat'

Rediff.com9 Aug 2016

Breaking his silence on the over-a-month-long unrest which has claimed more than 55 lives, Modi said it was painfully to see innocent youngsters, who should be holding laptops, book and cricket bats, have been given stones

Farooq released after 7 months, thanks MPs who 'fought for his freedom'

Farooq released after 7 months, thanks MPs who 'fought for his freedom'

Rediff.com14 Mar 2020

"I am free... Hope others political leaders would be released soon. Thank all parliamentarians who fought for my freedom. Will be able to take decision on future only after other leaders are released," Abdullah, the Lok Sabha member from Srinagar, told reporters from the terrace of his residence in Srinagar.

Modi govt has taken the right action on J-K

Modi govt has taken the right action on J-K

Rediff.com22 Nov 2019

'Having dealt with security and insurgency for 15 years, I am fully convinced that the steps taken by the government in regard to J&K and the measures in force there are essential,' says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.

Rahul my boss too, will work with 'like-minded parties' to defeat BJP: Sonia

Rahul my boss too, will work with 'like-minded parties' to defeat BJP: Sonia

Rediff.com8 Feb 2018

Sonia told party MPs to work with dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm with Rahul to strengthen the party and said he was her boss to.

'Rajiv Gandhi's legacy is quite inspirational'

'Rajiv Gandhi's legacy is quite inspirational'

Rediff.com21 May 2021

'Some of his decisions were not so good, but his intentions were always guided by a deep national interest.'

In marathon speech, Modi takes on Congress

In marathon speech, Modi takes on Congress

Rediff.com7 Feb 2017

Replying to a debate on Motion of Thanks on the President's Address which was adopted by the House later amid walkout by Congress, he replied point-by-point to the issues raised by the Opposition, including surgical strikes and allocations for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, agriculture sector and for Scheduled Castes. Opposition had moved 190 amendments to the Motion which were negated.

BJP, Congress spar over 'fake' voter ID cards in K'taka

BJP, Congress spar over 'fake' voter ID cards in K'taka

Rediff.com9 May 2018

While the BJP demanded that the polls in the Raja Rajeshwari Nagar constituency are countermanded, the Congress alleged that the apartment belonged to a BJP leader.

'This is no time for confrontation'

'This is no time for confrontation'

Rediff.com13 May 2016

'I am not going to talk about fear and apprehension.' 'I can only talk about my expectation which at this moment is to bring back development and maintain that momentum in the coming months,' Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat tells Rashme Sehgal for Rediff.com

Why Mamata left the Congress!

Why Mamata left the Congress!

Rediff.com7 May 2021

'Mamata wanted the Congress in alliance with the BJP in Bengal against the Left Front government.' 'Pranab Mukherjee opposed it, stating it would amount to compromising on secularism.' 'In 2021, Mamata defeats the BJP and becomes a champion of secularism.'