News for 'Union and Maharashtra'

Flood fury from Himachal to Kerala; Kashmir breathes easy

Flood fury from Himachal to Kerala; Kashmir breathes easy

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

Heavy rains across India have led to widespread flooding, causing damage to infrastructure, displacement of residents, and disruption of normal life. Rescue efforts are underway in affected areas.

Rahul Gandhi's bag checked by EC officials in Maharashtra

Rahul Gandhi's bag checked by EC officials in Maharashtra

Rediff.com16 Nov 2024

The checking of bags of leaders, a practice of the poll authorities to enforce the model code of conduct, came to the fore in the state's election campaign after Shiv Sena-UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray was subjected to it in Yavatmal.

Speculation mounts after Shivakumar meets Priyanka Gandhi

Speculation mounts after Shivakumar meets Priyanka Gandhi

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar met senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, fueling speculation about a leadership change in the state. The meeting occurs amid reports of Shivakumar pressing for the chief minister's post.

Dynasts continue to dominate Maharashtra polity

Dynasts continue to dominate Maharashtra polity

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

The Maharashtra Assembly elections witnessed the continued influence of political dynasties, with prominent families retaining their strongholds across the state. The Thackareys and the Ranes emerged as dominant forces, securing victories in various regions. The Rane brothers, Nilesh and Nitesh, won in Sindhudurg, while Uday and Kiran Samant secured victories in Ratnagiri. In Mumbai, Aaditya Thackeray retained his Worli seat, while his cousin Varun Sardesai won in Vandre East. The results underscore the enduring power of family connections in Indian politics.

'India Is Becoming Super India And Bharat Is Becoming Like Somalia'

'India Is Becoming Super India And Bharat Is Becoming Like Somalia'

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

'The government's priority is not farmers.'

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Lightning claims more lives in India annually than any other extreme weather event. Between April and July this year alone, 1,621 people died due to lightning strikes.

Will Shashi Tharoor Succeed Dhankhar?

Will Shashi Tharoor Succeed Dhankhar?

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

What piques the narrative is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah decide on crucial matters, they play it close to their chest, and revel in springing a surprise.

Plan to separate Mumbai: Raj; Will stay together: Uddhav

Plan to separate Mumbai: Raj; Will stay together: Uddhav

Rediff.com5 Jul 2025

MNS chief Raj Thackeray alleges the state government's three-language formula is a precursor to separating Mumbai from Maharashtra, speaking at a rally with Uddhav Thackeray.

Meet Maharashtra's Wealthiest Candidate

Meet Maharashtra's Wealthiest Candidate

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

'When honest, wealthy people come forward to serve India, people should feel proud and welcome them.'

Kolhapuri footwear makers allege GI breach by Prada, demand revenue share

Kolhapuri footwear makers allege GI breach by Prada, demand revenue share

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

They presented a letter urging him to look into the violation and preserve the product, which is a symbol of the state's cultural heritage.

US advisory for India warns of crime, rape; MEA says 'noted'

US advisory for India warns of crime, rape; MEA says 'noted'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

In the June 16 advisory, the US urged its citizens to exercise "increased caution" due to crime and rape, and advised them not to travel to certain parts of central and eastern parts of the country due to terrorism.

Whole country now knows...: Rahul mounts attack on EC in Bihar rally

Whole country now knows...: Rahul mounts attack on EC in Bihar rally

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

Gandhi alleged that assembly and Lok Sabha polls were being "stolen" across the country and there was a "conspiracy" in Bihar to do the same through the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Worst-ever show in Maharashtra weakens Cong's role in INDIA bloc

Worst-ever show in Maharashtra weakens Cong's role in INDIA bloc

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

The Congress continued its losing spree on Saturday posting its worst-ever show in Maharashtra and ending up a distant junior partner to the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in Jharkhand, further diminishing its role in the opposition bloc as other allies perform better.

Budget 'ignores' Maharashtra, focuses on Bihar, Andhra

Budget 'ignores' Maharashtra, focuses on Bihar, Andhra

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies on Tuesday welcomed the Union Budget and said it focussed on youth, farmers, women, and has 'substantial allocations' for Maharashtra, but the opposition slammed the annual financial statement, claiming it neglected the western state and only seeks to please the saffron outfit's partners in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

Nearly 3,000 Covid cases, 7 deaths reported in India

Nearly 3,000 Covid cases, 7 deaths reported in India

Rediff.com31 May 2025

Kerala leads with 1,147 active cases, and reconciliation of mortality figures is ongoing. Bihar is awaiting daily Covid-19 updates.

Pilot Cuts Raise Safety Alarms

Pilot Cuts Raise Safety Alarms

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

'Who gave the Tatas the right to discontinue technically sound practices related to safety and security?'

Will Language Politics Help Didi Win 4th Term?

Will Language Politics Help Didi Win 4th Term?

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

Will Mamata's bhasha andolan campaign sway Bengal's bhadralok before the 2026 election in the TMC's favour?

Mumbai SGNP's toy train gets Vistadome makeover, to chug again after 4 yrs

Mumbai SGNP's toy train gets Vistadome makeover, to chug again after 4 yrs

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

One of the key attractions of the park, which houses a wide array of plant, animal and bird species besides ancient caves, the revamped toy train is set to provide an elating and exciting experience to visitors, especially children.

Investor Sushil Kedia apologises after office attack; 5 MNS men held

Investor Sushil Kedia apologises after office attack; 5 MNS men held

Rediff.com5 Jul 2025

Unidentified persons vandalised the office of investor Sushil Kedia in Mumbai after he challenged MNS chief Raj Thackeray to make him learn Marathi.

Karnataka seeing new kind of 'jihad' through waqf: Union minister

Karnataka seeing new kind of 'jihad' through waqf: Union minister

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

Hitting out at the Congress government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he said the ruling party has reached "height of appeasement politics," and alleged that it has in a way made appeasement of minorities its "goal."

Kolhapur: Thousands march to bring back Mahadevi from Vantara

Kolhapur: Thousands march to bring back Mahadevi from Vantara

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

Thousands of people participated in a 'silent march' in Kolhapur on Sunday, demanding that 36-year-old female elephant Mahadevi (also called Madhuri), be brought back from Vantara wildlife rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar district.

BJP to decide Maharashtra CM; my full support: Eknath Shinde

BJP to decide Maharashtra CM; my full support: Eknath Shinde

Rediff.com1 Dec 2024

Maharashtra's outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said the Bharatiya Janata Party will decide on the new CM and assured his full support while ruling out differences among Mahayuti allies over the government formation.

'Things Have Improved In Kashmir'

'Things Have Improved In Kashmir'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'Often people outside paint a wrong picture of us of Kashmiris. We are not like that. We are cool and bindaas,' said the lady, a teacher, caressing my cheeks in the pressing crowds.

Just 4 unopposed wins: A look at past VP elections in India

Just 4 unopposed wins: A look at past VP elections in India

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

An overview of the past vice presidential elections in India, highlighting uncontested wins, multi-cornered fights, and notable candidates.

Maharashtra could head Manipur's way, warns Sharad Pawar

Maharashtra could head Manipur's way, warns Sharad Pawar

Rediff.com29 Jul 2024

Addressing a Social Unity Conference in Navi Mumbai on Sunday evening, Pawar also criticised the Centre's handling of the ethnic strife in Manipur, which has claimed several lives since last May.

Maha reverses mandatory Hindi order for Classes 1-5 after opposition

Maha reverses mandatory Hindi order for Classes 1-5 after opposition

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

The Maharashtra government has reversed its decision to make Hindi a mandatory third language in schools after facing widespread opposition. The move comes after the state's language consultation committee urged the Chief Minister to revoke the decision. The government will now issue a revised order making Hindi learning voluntary. The decision had been met with criticism from various quarters, including opposition parties and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which had called for a protest against the move.

SC dismisses plea to include Savarkar's name in Emblems Act

SC dismisses plea to include Savarkar's name in Emblems Act

Rediff.com27 May 2025

The Supreme Court of India dismissed a plea seeking the inclusion of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's name in the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950. The petitioner, appearing in person, argued for the inclusion based on his 30 years of research and claimed a need to establish facts about Savarkar in a legally verifiable manner. However, the court found no violation of fundamental rights and suggested the petitioner make a representation to the Union of India for curriculum inclusion. This dismissal follows the court's earlier reprimand of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on Savarkar at a rally in Maharashtra, although criminal proceedings against Gandhi were stayed.

Modi Isn't Going To Retire On September 17

Modi Isn't Going To Retire On September 17

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'Mr Modi has the power and pre-eminence in the BJP-RSS to choose how long he wants to serve, and he is definitely going to want to contest in 2029.' 'He will only be 79, as old as Donald Trump now, and fitter,' observes Shekhar Gupta.

Is fighting for farmers anti-national? Medha Patkar slams BJP walkout

Is fighting for farmers anti-national? Medha Patkar slams BJP walkout

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

The panel, headed by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, had called Patkar to hear her views on the implementation and effectiveness of the land acquisition law enacted by Parliament when the Congress-led UPA government was in power in 2013.

BJP-led alliance suffers jolt in Maharashtra

BJP-led alliance suffers jolt in Maharashtra

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party suffered a setback in Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra on Tuesday, with its tally dwindling by less than half compared to 2019, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of Congress, Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar was on a roll, pocketing 30 of the 48 seats.

Remove protected monument status of Aurangzeb's tomb: Shiv Sena to Centre

Remove protected monument status of Aurangzeb's tomb: Shiv Sena to Centre

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

The Shiv Sena, a ruling party in Maharashtra, has demanded the removal of the protected monument status from Aurangzeb's tomb in Khultabad. This demand comes after protests and calls for the tomb's demolition from organizations like the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protects the tomb as a monument of national importance. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that the state government will protect the tomb but will not allow the glorification of Aurangzeb.

Has Rahul Gandhi Forgotten The Malegaon Blasts?

Has Rahul Gandhi Forgotten The Malegaon Blasts?

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

For Malegaon's Muslims, Rahul Gandhi's remarks were simply one more indication that the party they once supported no longer cares for them, notes Jyoti Punwani.

Most PSBs see decline in headcount even as branches spread

Most PSBs see decline in headcount even as branches spread

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

At a time when the finance ministry is focusing on addressing employee grievances, the number of employees in most public-sector banks (PSBs) has declined over the last three financial years.

Instead of removing Aurangzeb's tomb...: BJP ally

Instead of removing Aurangzeb's tomb...: BJP ally

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Republican Party of India-Athawale leader said that removing Aurangzeb's tomb would not solve anything.

96 bus depots shut across Maharashtra due to MSRTC strike

96 bus depots shut across Maharashtra due to MSRTC strike

Rediff.com4 Sep 2024

The strike by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees for salary hike and other demands entered the second day on Wednesday, which continued to cripple the services and cause inconvenience to lakhs of passengers, especially ahead of the Ganesh festival.

Shell deepens India market reach through Raj Petro buy

Shell deepens India market reach through Raj Petro buy

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Global energy giant Shell has acquired Mumbai-based Raj Petro Specialities to deepen its foothold in the world's third biggest lubricants market in the world, a top company official said. Shell, which has already invested over $5 billion in India across the energy value chain -- from LNG import terminals and fuel stations to renewable energy and technology centres -- has acquired 100 per cent equity interest in Raj Petro Specialities Pvt Ltd from Germany's Brenntag Group.

Tesla Gears Up in Kurla

Tesla Gears Up in Kurla

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

Tesla's official entry into the Indian market is expected in the final quarter of the current financial year.

'BJP Not Ready To Play Second Fiddle In Bihar'

'BJP Not Ready To Play Second Fiddle In Bihar'

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

'Our party has formed governments independently in all neighbouring states except West Bengal; now it's Bihar's turn.'

Raj Thackeray calls off agitation to enforce Marathi

Raj Thackeray calls off agitation to enforce Marathi

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray has asked his party workers to temporarily halt the agitation demanding the use of Marathi language in banks and other establishments. Thackeray said the agitation has been successful in raising awareness about the issue and that the government should now implement the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) norms on the use of local languages. He warned that the MNS will take action if the government fails to ensure the law is followed.

Maharashtra asks Centre to raise non-creamy layer ceiling to Rs 15 lakh

Maharashtra asks Centre to raise non-creamy layer ceiling to Rs 15 lakh

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

The ordinance will be tabled in the next session of the legislature, it said, adding that 27 posts were approved for the commission.