News for 'communal politics'

Punjab To Enact Anti-Drug Law To Confiscate Properties

Punjab To Enact Anti-Drug Law To Confiscate Properties

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the state government will introduce an anti-drug law allowing for the confiscation of drug smugglers' properties. Mann criticised previous administrations for enabling drug trafficking and highlighted the enactment of an anti-sacrilege law, promising stricter measures against sacrilege and drug-related offences.

What Suvendu Adhikari Must Understand

What Suvendu Adhikari Must Understand

Rediff.com9 May 2026

The electorate did not vote for the BJP as much as they voted against the TMC. This is an important distinction that the new government will ignore at its own peril, points out Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).

Courts And The Hate Speech Dilemma

Courts And The Hate Speech Dilemma

Rediff.com9 May 2026

Courts cannot be the only hope for those fighting hate speech. Countering its effects on the ground takes more effort. With our political parties unwilling to put in that amount of effort, it's left to citizens to do so, points out Jyoti Punwani.

Banerjee Accuses BJP Of Dividing Bengal On Religious Lines

Banerjee Accuses BJP Of Dividing Bengal On Religious Lines

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the BJP for allegedly attempting to divide people on religious and caste lines during a community outreach programme in her Bhabanipur constituency.

Banerjee Accuses BJP Of Dividing Bengal On Religious Lines

Banerjee Accuses BJP Of Dividing Bengal On Religious Lines

Rediff.com19 Apr 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the BJP for allegedly deleting names from electoral rolls and attempting to divide people on religious and caste lines during a community outreach programme in her Bhabanipur constituency.

Kerala CM Accuses Congress of Being BJP's 'B-Team'

Kerala CM Accuses Congress of Being BJP's 'B-Team'

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi of acting as the 'B-team' of the BJP, alleging appeasement politics and seeking support from communal groups.

Pinarayi Vijayan Accepts Election Defeat In Kerala

Pinarayi Vijayan Accepts Election Defeat In Kerala

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan acknowledges the LDF's defeat in the Assembly elections, vowing to serve as a responsible opposition and address shortcomings.

Cong snaps ties with DMK, offers 'conditional' support to Vijay's TVK

Cong snaps ties with DMK, offers 'conditional' support to Vijay's TVK

Rediff.com6 May 2026

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislature Party have decided to extend its full support to the TVK to form the government, AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar said in a statement citing TVK chief Vijay's request seeking support.

What The Opposition Must Learn From Mamata's Defeat

What The Opposition Must Learn From Mamata's Defeat

Rediff.com6 May 2026

'If the Opposition associates itself too much with the minorities, then it becomes easy for the BJP to get Hindu consolidation votes.'

'Ready to Take the Risk': Inside Congress's Vijay Bet

'Ready to Take the Risk': Inside Congress's Vijay Bet

Rediff.com9 May 2026

Whether Vijay has the political spine to stitch together a stable government from this patchwork of conditions, demands, and midnight drama is the question Tamil Nadu is living through right now.

Right-wing activist booked for remarks against Goa's patron saint

Right-wing activist booked for remarks against Goa's patron saint

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

Goa Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against right-wing speaker Gautam Khattar for allegedly making objectionable remarks against St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa. The controversy erupted after a video of Khattar's address at an event went viral, leading to widespread condemnation and demands for his arrest.

Goa Police File FIR Over Remarks Against Saint

Goa Police File FIR Over Remarks Against Saint

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

Goa Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against right-wing speaker Gautam Khattar over his alleged objectionable remarks against St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of the state. The controversy erupted after a video of Khattar addressing an event went viral, leading to widespread condemnation and demands for his arrest.

Banerjee Accuses Modi Of Spreading Falsehoods In Speeches

Banerjee Accuses Modi Of Spreading Falsehoods In Speeches

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and offering no relief to the poor through his speeches. She made these remarks at a rally in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas district, ahead of Modi's address to the nation.

BJP Defends Shone George's Criticism of Kerala Media House

BJP Defends Shone George's Criticism of Kerala Media House

Rediff.com11 Apr 2026

The BJP has defended its leader Shone George's criticism of a Malayalam newspaper, Deepika, alleging it was favouring the UDF ahead of Kerala's Assembly elections. The party claims it respects all religions and aims for equal treatment.

'We Will See A Different BJP In Bengal'

'We Will See A Different BJP In Bengal'

Rediff.com7 May 2026

'In West Bengal, the BJP's ideology of Hindutva will be customised to cater to the culture and the cultural imperatives of Bengalis.'

TMC Files Complaint Against Assam CM Over Bengal Poll Remarks

TMC Files Complaint Against Assam CM Over Bengal Poll Remarks

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

The TMC has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that he made polarising and criminally intimidating statements during election campaigning in West Bengal.

Amit Shah Accuses Mamata Banerjee Of Turning Kolkata Into 'City Of Slums'

Amit Shah Accuses Mamata Banerjee Of Turning Kolkata Into 'City Of Slums'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has accused the TMC government of turning Kolkata into a 'city of slums' and using infiltrators as a vote bank, sparking a strong reaction from the TMC, which accused him of insulting the people of Bengal.

Viral Video Evidence Examined in Railway Firing Case

Viral Video Evidence Examined in Railway Firing Case

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

A police constable testified in court about a viral video allegedly showing Chetansingh Chaudhary, the accused in the 2023 railway firing incident, making communally charged statements. The video, which surfaced after the shooting, led to the addition of charges related to promoting enmity between groups.

What BJP's Historic Bengal Win Means For India

What BJP's Historic Bengal Win Means For India

Rediff.com4 May 2026

Hopefully, the BJP will realise that it's the right time for parivartan (change) in its polarising poll strategies after achieving the impossible-looking goal of winning West Bengal, argues Sheela Bhatt.

'Enough is enough': SC seeks MP reply on minister's Col Qureshi remarks

'Enough is enough': SC seeks MP reply on minister's Col Qureshi remarks

Rediff.com8 May 2026

The Supreme Court has directed the Madhya Pradesh government to decide on granting sanction to prosecute minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his remarks targeting Army officer Col Sofiya Qureshi. The court expressed its displeasure over the delay and the nature of Shah's comments.

Sarma Accuses Mamata Of Diverting Funds To Infiltrators

Sarma Accuses Mamata Of Diverting Funds To Infiltrators

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee government of diverting resources to 'Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators' and warned of losing Bengal if she remains in power.

Amit Shah Pledges To Resolve Gorkha Issue In Six Months

Amit Shah Pledges To Resolve Gorkha Issue In Six Months

Rediff.com21 Apr 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah promised to resolve the decades-old Gorkha issue within six months if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal, addressing a rally in Kurseong, Darjeeling district.

Maha: 'Boycott Muslims' video after Kerala Story show sparks row

Maha: 'Boycott Muslims' video after Kerala Story show sparks row

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

A video purportedly showing people pledging to boycott Muslims socially and economically after a screening of 'The Kerala Story' has sparked strong reactions in Vasai, Maharashtra. Police are investigating the video's authenticity, while politicians and social media users express concern over rising communal polarisation.

Nitish Kumar exits, legacy marked by progress and contradictions

Nitish Kumar exits, legacy marked by progress and contradictions

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

An analysis of Nitish Kumar's tenure as Chief Minister of Bihar, highlighting his contributions to development and social justice alongside controversies and political shifts.

'It is political communalism'

'It is political communalism'

Rediff.com3 Nov 2021

'The violence in Bangladesh has been used as an excuse to start violence by communal political fanatics.'

'God Does Not Make People Like Mohsina Kidwai Now'

'God Does Not Make People Like Mohsina Kidwai Now'

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

'She was not a yes person. She would tell the truth and her feelings to Indira Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi would value her opinion. The same was the case with Rajiv Gandhi who would value her opinion.'

Pak stood isolated after Mumbai attacks, but now...: Cong slams govt

Pak stood isolated after Mumbai attacks, but now...: Cong slams govt

Rediff.com22 Apr 2026

The Congress party has criticised the Modi government on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that Pakistan has gained global respectability due to the failure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy.

Malegaon May Chart A New Course For Muslim Politics

Malegaon May Chart A New Course For Muslim Politics

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

Whichever combination finally emerges, Malegaon could set a record for being a town run neither by Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti, nor by the Opposition MVA, but by a combination of two or three Muslim parties.

Kerala Elections 2026: Can An 80-Year-Old Marxist Score A Hat-Trick?

Kerala Elections 2026: Can An 80-Year-Old Marxist Score A Hat-Trick?

Rediff.com7 Apr 2026

Kerala's 2026 assembly election will see a three-cornered contest where religion and communalism have emerged as central themes for the first time, challenging the state's long-celebrated secular fabric.

TMC suspends MLA who proposed to build 'Babri Masjid'

TMC suspends MLA who proposed to build 'Babri Masjid'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Thursday suspended its Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir, who had triggered a storm with the proposal to build 'Babri Masjid' in Murshidabad district.

Abhishek Banerjee Accuses Congress of Aiding BJP in West Bengal

Abhishek Banerjee Accuses Congress of Aiding BJP in West Bengal

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused the Congress party of indirectly supporting the BJP in West Bengal, urging voters to reject them in the upcoming elections. He alleged a nexus between the Congress, BJP, and Left parties, claiming that votes for Congress would split the opposition and benefit the BJP.

NIA Investigates Blast Outside BJP Office in Chandigarh

NIA Investigates Blast Outside BJP Office in Chandigarh

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

An explosion outside the Punjab BJP headquarters in Chandigarh has triggered an investigation by the NIA, raising concerns about security and potential threats to party officials.

Punjab assembly okays life term for sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib

Punjab assembly okays life term for sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

The Punjab Assembly has unanimously passed a bill proposing stricter punishment, including life imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 25 lakh, for any act of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib.

West Bengal Polls: Mamata Banerjee Can't Underestimate BJP

West Bengal Polls: Mamata Banerjee Can't Underestimate BJP

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

This election is different. It is no longer simply about governance or welfare. It is about identity, fear, and who belongs. The BJP has successfully shifted the terms of the debate from what the government has delivered to who the real Bengali is and who is an outsider, points out Ramesh Menon.

TMC Leader Banerjee Blasts BJP for Ram Navami Violence, Claims Bengal Tradition of Amity

TMC Leader Banerjee Blasts BJP for Ram Navami Violence, Claims Bengal Tradition of Amity

Rediff.com28 Mar 2026

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused the BJP of instigating violence during Ram Navami rallies in West Bengal, alleging the party is disrupting the state's tradition of communal harmony. He also criticised the BJP's governance record and promises in other states.

India Remembers Victims Of Pahalgam Terror Attack

India Remembers Victims Of Pahalgam Terror Attack

Rediff.com22 Apr 2026

A year after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, India remembers the victims and reaffirms its commitment to fighting terrorism. Families of the deceased mourn their loss, while political leaders reiterate the nation's resolve to stand united against terror.

Were The West Bengal Elections Fair?

Were The West Bengal Elections Fair?

Rediff.com7 May 2026

The extent of doubts over the fairness of this election can be assessed by juxtaposing two figures: Total votes polled by the two principal parties and the number of people who were disallowed from voting this time, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Rahul Gandhi Alleges Kerala CM Vijayan's Alliance with Forces Attacking Minorities

Rahul Gandhi Alleges Kerala CM Vijayan's Alliance with Forces Attacking Minorities

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of aligning with forces that attack minorities, during election rallies in Kerala. He also criticised the CM on other issues including alleged corruption and economic failures.

Owaisi announces poll tie-up with Humayun Kabir in Bengal

Owaisi announces poll tie-up with Humayun Kabir in Bengal

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

Opposition leaders have criticised the alliance between AIMIM and a suspended TMC MLA for the West Bengal Assembly elections, fearing it will divide votes and weaken secular parties.

Crude Device Blast at Punjab BJP Office Raises Security Concerns

Crude Device Blast at Punjab BJP Office Raises Security Concerns

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

A blast outside the Punjab BJP headquarters in Chandigarh caused panic and prompted an investigation by the National Investigation Agency. No casualties were reported, but the incident has raised serious concerns about security and law and order in the region.