News for 'Union Minister of State'

Is Modi Planning To Shuffle Ministers?

Is Modi Planning To Shuffle Ministers?

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Recent BJP organisational moves and Rajya Sabha nominations have sparked speculation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may soon undertake a ministerial reshuffle.

TN assembly mandates state anthem at all official events

TN assembly mandates state anthem at all official events

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has moved a government resolution mandating the rendition of Tamil Thaai Vazhthu at the commencement of all government events, emphasising the state's linguistic and cultural rights amidst a Union Home Affairs Ministry advisory on Vande Mataram.

HC orders takedown of 'vile, obscene' deepfakes against Gadkari

HC orders takedown of 'vile, obscene' deepfakes against Gadkari

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

The Bombay High Court has ordered major social media platforms, including Meta, X Corp, and Google LLC, to immediately remove 'vile, abusive, obscene, and defamatory' deepfakes and AI-generated content targeting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, emphasising the urgent need for online platforms to curb malicious digital content.

'Three Olympic golds': India remembers Dhyan Chand

'Three Olympic golds': India remembers Dhyan Chand

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

On National Sports Day, political leaders including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and several Chief Ministers paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and lauded Indian sportspersons for their contributions to the country.

E20 petrol: Nitin Gadkari sues Meta, X, Google over 'defamatory' AI deepfakes

E20 petrol: Nitin Gadkari sues Meta, X, Google over 'defamatory' AI deepfakes

Rediff.com28 Jul 2026

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has filed a civil suit against Meta, X Corp, Google LLC, and unknown persons in the Bombay High Court over "defamatory" deepfakes and AI-generated posts concerning the ethanol policy. The court will hear the matter on August 5, with Gadkari seeking a permanent injunction and immediate takedown of the fake content, which he claims has harmed his reputation.

WB CM Suvendu crushes cough syrup bottles with roadroller

WB CM Suvendu crushes cough syrup bottles with roadroller

Rediff.com7 days ago

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari symbolically destroyed nearly 2 lakh bottles of banned cough syrup in Balurghat using a road roller. This act, aimed at combating drug addiction among youth and curbing smuggling to Bangladesh, highlights improved coordination between BSF and state police. Adhikari also announced a new medical college for Balurghat during his visit.

Union minister's daughter harassed at event in Jalgaon

Union minister's daughter harassed at event in Jalgaon

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Union Minister Raksha Khadse on Sunday lodged a police complaint regarding the harassment of her daughter and some of her friends by a group of boys at an event in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district.

Flags should not be thrown on ground: MHA asks states, UTs to follow Flag Code

Flags should not be thrown on ground: MHA asks states, UTs to follow Flag Code

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

The Union home ministry directed all the states and Union territories on Monday to adhere to the Flag Code, underlining that while flags made of paper may be waved by the public on occasions of important national, cultural and sports events, those should not be discarded or thrown on the ground after the events.

BJP rejig: Smriti Irani makes comeback, Ram Madhav gets key role

BJP rejig: Smriti Irani makes comeback, Ram Madhav gets key role

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a significant overhaul of its national team under party president Nitin Nabin, introducing numerous new faces and promoting prominent leaders like former Union minister Smriti Irani to general secretary and former RSS functionary Ram Madhav to vice president. The revamp aims to balance youth and experience while preparing for upcoming assembly and general elections.

Swatantra Bhardwaj was invited to Modi's swearing-in, I-Day celebration

Swatantra Bhardwaj was invited to Modi's swearing-in, I-Day celebration

Rediff.com5 days ago

Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, known for provocative social media posts and claims of political proximity, has been detained in Bulandshahr. His detention follows a viral video where he boasted about assaulting a Jantar Mantar protester's father, leaving him with severe injuries, and claiming to have avoided jail due to political connections. Police acted after public outcry and protests.

Union minister Suresh Gopi visits freedom fighter Sankaran Nair's family

Union minister Suresh Gopi visits freedom fighter Sankaran Nair's family

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

Union Minister Suresh Gopi visited the family members of freedom fighter and former Indian National Congress (INC) president Chettur R Sankaran Nair in Ottapalam, Kerala. The visit was carried out as per the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, the Minister assured the family that he would help facilitate the construction of a memorial in Ottapalam to honor Sankaran Nair's legacy.

Jhiram Valley massacre: 10 convicted in 2013 Maoist attack

Jhiram Valley massacre: 10 convicted in 2013 Maoist attack

Rediff.com4 days ago

A special NIA court in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district has convicted all 10 accused, including two women, in the 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack case. The attack resulted in the deaths of 29 people, including senior Congress leaders, and was one of the deadliest incidents of Left Wing Extremism. The quantum of punishment will be announced on September 16.

Union minister Bandi Sanjay detained in Hyderabad

Union minister Bandi Sanjay detained in Hyderabad

Rediff.com19 Oct 2024

Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar was on Saturday detained by the police for staging a dharna in Hyderabad to express solidarity with aspirants of Telangana Public Service Commission (TSPSC) Group 1 services, who are seeking postponement of the Mains exam.

Maha cabbies to get Marathi lessons before action: Govt

Maha cabbies to get Marathi lessons before action: Govt

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that autorickshaw and taxi drivers will be given an opportunity to learn Marathi before any action is taken against them for non-compliance with the language requirement. This move softens the state's earlier stance, which had evoked mixed reactions and concerns about livelihoods.

Over 200 from 14 states arrested as ISI-backed terror plot foiled

Over 200 from 14 states arrested as ISI-backed terror plot foiled

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Indian security forces have successfully dismantled the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network, arresting over 200 operatives across 14 states and preventing planned subversive attacks ahead of Independence Day.

The rise and fall of Dharmendra Pradhan

The rise and fall of Dharmendra Pradhan

Rediff.com25 Jul 2026

Dharmendra Pradhan's political career faced an unexpected jolt as he resigned as Education Minister following nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak, marking a significant departure from the government's initial dismissive response to the agitation.

Union ministers meet Kerala suicide victim's family, back NIA probe demand

Union ministers meet Kerala suicide victim's family, back NIA probe demand

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

Two Union Ministers visited the family of a 23-year-old woman in Kothamangalam who allegedly took her own life due to harassment by her lover. The family is demanding an NIA probe into the incident, alleging forced religious conversion.

Kharge alleges BJP 'purified' stage after his Uttarakhand rally

Kharge alleges BJP 'purified' stage after his Uttarakhand rally

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Kharge, who is also the Congress President, demanded that cases should be registered, under the Untouchability Act, against those who purified the stage in Haldwani, and they should be arrested and sent to jail.

Gadkari gets HC nod to sue Meta, X, Google over E20 deepfakes

Gadkari gets HC nod to sue Meta, X, Google over E20 deepfakes

Rediff.com27 Jul 2026

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has received permission from the Bombay High Court to file a civil suit against Meta Platforms, X Corp, Google LLC, and other unknown entities for allegedly circulating 'defamatory' deepfakes and AI-generated content against him.

Nepal floods: 'She was coming for Raksha Bandhan, but decided to visit Kailash first'

Nepal floods: 'She was coming for Raksha Bandhan, but decided to visit Kailash first'

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

An NRI couple from Vadodara, Kinnari and Mihir Patel, who travelled to Nepal from New Zealand, have gone missing after devastating flash floods hit the region, prompting their family to appeal to the government for swift rescue action.

Centre defers Census in Manipur amid NRC demands

Centre defers Census in Manipur amid NRC demands

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

The Union government has deferred census operations in Manipur, originally scheduled to begin on September 1, following persistent demands from civil society organisations for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to address concerns about demographic changes due to alleged illegal immigration.

Who is VHP to decide?: Union Minister on 'Hindu only' garba diktat

Who is VHP to decide?: Union Minister on 'Hindu only' garba diktat

Rediff.com21 Sep 2025

The Union minister said such calls were tantamount to "inviting violence".

12 women, six minorities in Team Nitin Nabin

12 women, six minorities in Team Nitin Nabin

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party's new national team integrates women, minority leaders, and regional representatives to strengthen its organisational structure and national appeal.

BJP to launch month-long campaign on Modi's birthday

BJP to launch month-long campaign on Modi's birthday

Rediff.com6 hours ago

The BJP has announced a month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign, starting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, September 17, to commemorate his 25 years in public life. The initiative includes various programmes like 'Seva Diwas', 'Ashirwad Ka Diya', 'Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra', youth yatras, and innovation challenges, all aimed at public participation and promoting the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'.

India must declare war against Pak if...: Union minister

India must declare war against Pak if...: Union minister

Rediff.com28 Apr 2025

"As long as PoK exists, terrorist activities will continue. I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi that if Pakistan does not hand over PoK, we must declare war against them," Athawale said, calling for another surgical strike against the neighbouring country.

HC dismisses ex-cricketer Yusuf Pathan's plea over Vadodara land claim

HC dismisses ex-cricketer Yusuf Pathan's plea over Vadodara land claim

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

The Gujarat high court on Monday dismissed as withdrawn a plea of former India cricketer and Lok Sabha MP Yusuf Pathan's appeal against a single judge order passed in August last year, calling him an "encroacher" on a piece of government land in Vadodara.

HC dismisses ex-cricketer Yusuf Pathan's plea over Vadodara land claim

HC dismisses ex-cricketer Yusuf Pathan's plea over Vadodara land claim

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

The Gujarat high court on Monday dismissed as withdrawn a plea of former India cricketer and Lok Sabha MP Yusuf Pathan's appeal against a single judge order passed in August last year, calling him an "encroacher" on a piece of government land in Vadodara.

Only those who...: Rijiju clarifies Modi's 'dimagi Naxals' remark

Only those who...: Rijiju clarifies Modi's 'dimagi Naxals' remark

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'dimagi Naxal' (intellectual Naxal) remark, made during his Independence Day address, has ignited a significant political debate, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarifying that the comment targets those who support Maoists and separatists, not opposition leaders, while opposition figures like P Chidambaram have embraced the label in defiance.

Day after BJP's Bankipur defeat, Nitish meets Modi

Day after BJP's Bankipur defeat, Nitish meets Modi

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

JD-U supremo Nitish Kumar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, a day after the BJP lost the Bankipur assembly by-election in Patna. The meeting, which included other JD-U leaders, occurred amidst recent political changes in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar had resigned as Chief Minister and a BJP leader took charge.

Lok Sabha to take up anti-paper leak bill today

Lok Sabha to take up anti-paper leak bill today

Rediff.com28 Jul 2026

The Indian Parliament is scheduled for a significant legislative day, with the Lok Sabha set to consider and pass the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. Concurrently, the Rajya Sabha will introduce the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and pass the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, highlighting a busy agenda for both houses.

Why Test Cricket Remains The Mother Of All Formats

Why Test Cricket Remains The Mother Of All Formats

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath has underscored the critical role of Test cricket in developing depth within the game, despite the growing popularity of the T20 format. Speaking at an awards ceremony, Srinath advised young players to prioritise Test cricket, noting the difficulty for T20 specialists to transition to the longer format. He also stressed the responsibility of cricket associations, parents, and coaches in guiding emerging talent.

Left to skip Vijay's meet called amid rift in alliance

Left to skip Vijay's meet called amid rift in alliance

Rediff.com10 hours ago

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to chair a crucial TVK alliance coordination meeting in Chennai. The meeting aims to formalise the ruling coalition's structure, common minimum programme, and joint steering committee. However, the absence of key Left allies and a public rift between TVK and Congress over national leadership aspirations threaten to destabilise the alliance, highlighting a significant test for CM Vijay's political management.

Strain in J-K ruling allies? NC, Cong clash over Vande Mataram rendition

Strain in J-K ruling allies? NC, Cong clash over Vande Mataram rendition

Rediff.com3 hours ago

Tensions have emerged within Jammu and Kashmir's ruling alliance between the National Conference and Congress over the full rendition of Vande Mataram at an official state event. While the NC defends it as a "statutory obligation," the Congress expresses strong disapproval, citing historical resolutions and the need to respect India's pluralistic ethos.

CJP turns down Nadda's invitation for fresh talks

CJP turns down Nadda's invitation for fresh talks

Rediff.com23 Jul 2026

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has again rejected an invitation from Union Minister J P Nadda for talks, insisting that any dialogue with the government must take place at a neutral venue, preferably at their protest site at Jantar Mantar, where they are demanding accountability for the NEET paper 'leak' and the Education Minister's resignation.

Row erupts over 'purification' of venue after Kharge's visit

Row erupts over 'purification' of venue after Kharge's visit

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

The Congress party has strongly condemned the 'purification' of a rally venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after a public meeting addressed by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, alleging it reflects an 'anti-Dalit' mindset of the BJP and RSS.

How India Post Is Revolutionising Last-Mile Connectivity With Drone Delivery

How India Post Is Revolutionising Last-Mile Connectivity With Drone Delivery

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

The Department of Posts successfully conducted its first-ever drone delivery of the National Flag from Mandi to Rehardhar in Himachal Pradesh. This initiative, overseen by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, highlights the integration of technology with public service to enhance last-mile connectivity in challenging terrains and supports the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign.

RS okays bill to make insulting Vande Mataram a criminal offence

RS okays bill to make insulting Vande Mataram a criminal offence

Rediff.com29 Jul 2026

The Rajya Sabha has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making insult to the national song 'Vande Mataram' a criminal offence. The bill, which also covers other national symbols, was passed amidst protests from opposition parties regarding the NEET paper leak. Union Minister Nityanand Rai criticised the opposition's stance, emphasising the song's historical significance and its role in national unity.

BJP Faces West Bengal Investment Test

BJP Faces West Bengal Investment Test

Rediff.com2 days ago

West Bengal could be the Bharatiya Janata Party's real test case of its business-friendly policies, points out Kanika Datta.

Maha auto, taxi drivers welcome Marathi learning deadline extension

Maha auto, taxi drivers welcome Marathi learning deadline extension

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

The Maharashtra government has extended the deadline for autorickshaw and taxi drivers to acquire working knowledge of Marathi by one year, a decision welcomed by unions who say it removes the immediate threat to their livelihoods.

BRS Leader Demands Minister's Removal After Son's POCSO Arrest

BRS Leader Demands Minister's Removal After Son's POCSO Arrest

Rediff.com17 May 2026

BRS Working President K T Rama Rao has called for the immediate removal of Bandi Sanjay Kumar from the union cabinet following the arrest of his son, Bageerath, in a POCSO case, arguing that the minister's continuation in office could hinder a fair and impartial investigation.