News for 'State for Political Affairs'

Rajasthan under Maratha Empire? NCERT book sparks row

Rajasthan under Maratha Empire? NCERT book sparks row

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

A controversy has erupted after an NCERT Class 8 textbook depicted present-day Rajasthan as part of the Maratha Empire, drawing criticism from royal families and political leaders who call the depiction factually incorrect and misleading.

'Have Modi And Trump Fallen Out?'

'Have Modi And Trump Fallen Out?'

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'We should watch -- in the near term -- for signs that the two have totally fallen out at a personal, political level.' 'Trump and Modi know how to be dealmakers, but they also know how to hold a grudge.'

Is This Why Trump Turned On India?

Is This Why Trump Turned On India?

Rediff.com9 Aug 2025

Trade, defence cooperation and regional strategy had long formed the backbone of India-US ties, but the latest rift shows how quickly those pillars can be shaken by personal grievances and political optics.

Days after Munir's visit, Pak air chief goes to US

Days after Munir's visit, Pak air chief goes to US

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

Pakistan's Air Force Chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu visited the US to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, following a similar visit by the Army Chief. The visit included meetings with US military and political leaders to discuss regional security, counter-terrorism efforts, and future cooperation.

Guv's report on Bengal riots hints at Art 356; says militancy grips state

Guv's report on Bengal riots hints at Art 356; says militancy grips state

Rediff.com4 May 2025

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has submitted a report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs expressing concern over the recent riots in Murshidabad district and the threat of "radicalisation" and "militancy". The governor has suggested a series of measures, including the establishment of a commission of inquiry and the deployment of central forces in border districts, and has hinted at the possibility of President's rule under Article 356 if the situation deteriorates further. He has also criticized the state government's response to the violence, alleging a lack of coordination and a failure to prevent the escalation of the situation.

Kejriwal says he won't go to Rajya Sabha, hails AAP victories

Kejriwal says he won't go to Rajya Sabha, hails AAP victories

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Monday hailed the party's performance in the Gujarat and Punjab bypolls, calling them a 'semi-final to 2027' and a clear sign that voters would reject both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress.

TN ex-CM Panneerselvam exits NDA, hints at future alliances

TN ex-CM Panneerselvam exits NDA, hints at future alliances

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

The O Panneerselvam-led AIADMK Cadres Rights Retrieval Committee has withdrawn from the BJP-led NDA coalition, a year after joining. The move follows meetings between Panneerselvam and DMK Chief Minister M K Stalin, fueling speculation about future alliances.

Operation Sindoor: Why Was ISI HQ Not Targeted?

Operation Sindoor: Why Was ISI HQ Not Targeted?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

What was the aim of Operation Sindoor? Why was the operation halted so soon? asks Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

China attaches great importance to Modi's SCO visit: Wang Yi

China attaches great importance to Modi's SCO visit: Wang Yi

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China's anticipation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, emphasizing the importance of strong India-China relations and mutual cooperation.

'Putin's war chest': Trump official fires fresh salvo at India

'Putin's war chest': Trump official fires fresh salvo at India

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

Former White House trade advisor Peter Navarro accuses India of being an 'oil money laundromat' for Russia, alleging that India's oil purchases are funding Putin's war in Ukraine. The accusations come amid existing trade tensions and tariffs imposed by the US.

US Needs India As Much As India Needs The US

US Needs India As Much As India Needs The US

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

India-US relations, like Rome, were not built in a day, nor can they be demolished in a day.
All said and done, when the new global order emerges, India can only remain with the democracies, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

When Voter ID Matters And When It Doesn't

When Voter ID Matters And When It Doesn't

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

When the government chooses to either ignore or use identity documents only when it suits them, it shakes people's sense of stability, notes Shyam G Menon.

Centre announces caste census; BJP, allies hail move

Centre announces caste census; BJP, allies hail move

Rediff.com1 May 2025

In a significant move, the Centre on Wednesday announced that caste enumeration will be part of the next population census, with the inclusion of caste details for the first time since independence hailed by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies as a historic step to help design truly equitable and focused policies.

Sidda minister Rajanna axed after remarks on 'vote theft'

Sidda minister Rajanna axed after remarks on 'vote theft'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Karnataka Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna has been asked to resign after allegedly blaming his own Congress government for 'vote theft' in an Assembly segment. The issue sparked controversy and led to demands for clarification in the state assembly.

'There Will Be A Need For A Leader Like The Dalai Lama'

'There Will Be A Need For A Leader Like The Dalai Lama'

Rediff.com6 Jul 2025

'We are now in a situation where our country is not yet free.' 'China is still very strong and militarily powerful.' 'In such a situation, we need the Dalai Lama to bring about a resolution to the cause of Tibet.' 'That's one of the main reasons that at age 90, he has accepted that there should be a 15th Dalai Lama after him.'

India's Census 2027 to include caste count; exercise to cost Rs 13K cr

India's Census 2027 to include caste count; exercise to cost Rs 13K cr

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

The census will be carried out with a reference date of October 1, 2026 in snow-bound areas like Ladakh and March 1, 2027 in the rest of the country, the notification said.

LS polls: BJP appoints in-charges for 23 states, UTs

LS polls: BJP appoints in-charges for 23 states, UTs

Rediff.com27 Jan 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday appointed election in-charges and co-in-charges for 23 states and Union territories in view of the Lok Sabha polls this year.

Will wait for India to build dam on Indus river, then...: Pak Army chief

Will wait for India to build dam on Indus river, then...: Pak Army chief

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

Weeks before the Pahalgam attack, Munir said Pakistan will not forget the issue of Kashmir, asserting, "It was our jugular vein." His comments were trashed by India.

What You Must Know About The CEC

What You Must Know About The CEC

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

As an IAS officer in Kerala, Gyanesh Kumar -- who the Congress described as Amit Shah's 'right hand man' -- had a good working equation with the state's Congress and Left leaders.

'Writing History Is Like Solving A Jigsaw Puzzle With A Third Of The Pieces Missing'

'Writing History Is Like Solving A Jigsaw Puzzle With A Third Of The Pieces Missing'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

'When I undertook a study of temple desecration in precolonial India, it was not enough simply to document what temples were desecrated, by whom, when, and where.' 'It was also important to explore the total historical context of such incidents, with a view to discovering patterns, which in turn could reveal the reasons why they occurred.'

Deep State And Beyond: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories

Deep State And Beyond: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

From bhikshus of Ashokan 3rd century BC and medieval Sufis to Oxfam, Omidyar and Soros now, non-State actors have any real power only when they work in conjunction with a real State, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

ED conducts 1st-ever raids in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

ED conducts 1st-ever raids in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

The case pertains to the Andaman Nicobar State Cooperative Bank (ANSCB) and its former vice chairman Kuldeep Rai Sharma. Sharma, a 57-year-old Congress leader, is a former MP of the UT (2019-24).

When Voter ID Matters And When It Doesn't

When Voter ID Matters And When It Doesn't

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

When the government chooses to either ignore or use identity documents only when it suits them, it shakes people's sense of stability, notes Shyam G Menon.

Gravity of charges hinder efforts to save Nimisha Priya from execution

Gravity of charges hinder efforts to save Nimisha Priya from execution

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

The gravity of charges against Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who has been sentenced to death by a Yemeni court after being convicted of murdering a citizen of the country, has made it difficult for the efforts to seek relief for her to succeed, sources said.

'Pak Deftly Used Personal Diplomacy To Connect With Trump'

'Pak Deftly Used Personal Diplomacy To Connect With Trump'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

'As one former Indian diplomat put it to me, Delhi has access to the White House, but Islamabad has access to Mar-a-Lago.'

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated Maharashta Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan as their candidate for Vice-President of India. The announcement was made by BJP President J P Nadda, highlighting Radhakrishnan's extensive public service and cross-party respect.

Pak DGMO called for peace, no 3rd party involvement: Govt in RS

Pak DGMO called for peace, no 3rd party involvement: Govt in RS

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

India reasserted that Pakistan requested a cessation of firing via DGMO contact and addressed concerns about Pakistan's roles in UNSC committees.

Putin assures Iranian FM of support after US strikes

Putin assures Iranian FM of support after US strikes

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday assured Tehran of Moscow's support in de-escalating the Israel-Iran conflict hours after the United States strikes at Iranian nuclear sites at dawn on Sunday.

2 Indians killed, one abducted in terror attack in Niger

2 Indians killed, one abducted in terror attack in Niger

Rediff.com20 Jul 2025

In a heinous terror attack, two Indians were killed while one was abducted in the Dosso region of Niger, as noted by the Indian Embassy in Niger.

Next Dalai Lama to be decided by...: India snubs China

Next Dalai Lama to be decided by...: India snubs China

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserts that the decision on the Incarnation of the Dalai Lama will be taken by the established institution and the leader of Tibetan Buddhist himself, rebuffing China's claim to approve the successor.

Show courage like Indira Gandhi, say Trump is lying: Rahul attacks Modi

Show courage like Indira Gandhi, say Trump is lying: Rahul attacks Modi

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi of prioritizing his image over national security after the Pahalgam attack, challenging him to refute Trump's claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

From 'Reluctant Politician' To Vice President

From 'Reluctant Politician' To Vice President

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

While naming him as the NDA candidate for the Vice President's post, the BJP had described him as 'Kisan putra', a move seen in the political circles aimed at reaching out to the politically significant Jat community which had participated in huge numbers in the year-long farmers' protests against agriculture reform measures unveiled in June 2020.

Where Does Shashi Tharoor Go From Here?

Where Does Shashi Tharoor Go From Here?

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

The political and ideological differences between the Congress and Shashi Tharoor is no longer a matter of whispers.

India expands consular reach in US with 8 new centres, eases access

India expands consular reach in US with 8 new centres, eases access

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

Starting August 1, 2025, all consular services, including passport, visa, OCI, surrender certificate, life certificate, birth/marriage certificate, police clearance, attestations, and more, will be provided exclusively through VFS Global Centres.

Trump@6 Months: Resetting The Global Order

Trump@6 Months: Resetting The Global Order

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

In the short run, the Trump presidency has already ensured one thing: The assumptions of the past can no longer guide the strategies of the future, points out Manish Dabhade.

Dhankhar's Exit: Why RSS Won't Rock Modi's Boat

Dhankhar's Exit: Why RSS Won't Rock Modi's Boat

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

'Modi's charisma may have weakened as last year's Lok Sabha poll results showed but in the eyes of the Sangh Parivar, it has not waned.' 'Minus a strong BJP government at the Centre for another decade and more, there is apprehension that an anti-Hindutva government could reverse many of the ideological gains that the Modi dispensation has achieved through its three terms,' points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Is Modi's 'Mr India' Image Fading?

Is Modi's 'Mr India' Image Fading?

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'The Election Commission's involvement in the avoidable SIR controversy has carried a message down to the last voter -- who just does not like it,' observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Will The Dragon And Elephant Dance Again?

Will The Dragon And Elephant Dance Again?

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

A meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO summit is being planned.

'Curbs on sporting engagements standard safeguard'

'Curbs on sporting engagements standard safeguard'

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

Implementation of sports bill in 6 months, regulation of participation standard safeguard: Mandaviya

Act cautiously: China to India over Dalai Lama's incarnation

Act cautiously: China to India over Dalai Lama's incarnation

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

China has objected to Indian Minister Kiren Rijiju's remarks on the Dalai Lama's reincarnation, urging India to be cautious on Tibet-related issues to avoid impacting bilateral relations. China insists any future Dalai Lama must receive its approval.