News for 'controversial'

Modi, Trump share warm meeting at G7 amid strained ties

Modi, Trump share warm meeting at G7 amid strained ties

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump exchanged pleasantries and held a brief conversation at the G7 summit, their first in-person encounter in 16 months, setting the stage for high-stakes bilateral talks amidst continuing strain in India-US relations.

Fresh blow to Mamata: TMC's Rs 675-cr war chest becomes new battleground

Fresh blow to Mamata: TMC's Rs 675-cr war chest becomes new battleground

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

The internecine war within the Trinamool Congress took a new turn on Thursday with "party treasurer" Aroop Biswas writing to a bank seeking restrictions on the operation of the party's accounts, citing uncertainty over its legitimate leadership amid rebellions by MLAs and MPs.

Nagpur NEET aspirant allotted Abu Dhabi centre; NTA says it was chosen by him

Nagpur NEET aspirant allotted Abu Dhabi centre; NTA says it was chosen by him

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has clarified the controversy surrounding a NEET-UG re-test candidate being allotted an examination centre in Abu Dhabi, stating the student himself had chosen the venue. Following a request, the NTA re-allotted a centre in Nagpur.

Romelu Lukaku's late impact helps Belgium rally to hold Egypt

Romelu Lukaku's late impact helps Belgium rally to hold Egypt

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt in their World Cup opener after Romelu Lukaku's second-half introduction led to an own goal. Egypt had taken an early lead through Emam Ashour, and despite Belgium's numerous chances, they struggled to equalise until Lukaku's impact. Both coaches reflected on the match, with Belgium's coach highlighting the importance of their next game against Iran, and Egypt's coach feeling his side was closer to victory.

Trump could lift FIFA World Cup trophy with winners

Trump could lift FIFA World Cup trophy with winners

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

FIFA has granted US President Donald Trump permission to present the World Cup trophy, a role he previously undertook at the Club World Cup. This decision allows him to remain on the podium during celebrations, a departure from standard protocol, and he is expected to attend the final at MetLife Stadium.

Pressure mounts on UK PM Starmer as Burnham emerges as challenger

Pressure mounts on UK PM Starmer as Burnham emerges as challenger

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Keir Starmer has come under mounting pressure to resign as the leader of the Labour Party to pave the way for Andy Burnham to take over as the new British Prime Minister.

Massive Mahapanchayat In Bihar Against Encounter Killing

Massive Mahapanchayat In Bihar Against Encounter Killing

Rediff.com5 days ago

Bharat Tiwari, a self-proclaimed social worker, was shot by an STF team after he surrendered near his Bilauti village but succumbed to injuries few hours later on June 17.

Mammootty's 10 Best Roles From This Decade

Mammootty's 10 Best Roles From This Decade

Rediff.com4 days ago

From Peranbu to Bramayugam, Padma Bhushan winner Mammootty's recent filmography is proof that legends can keep reinventing themselves, even post 70.

Before Peddi, 10 Movies Slammed For Misogyny

Before Peddi, 10 Movies Slammed For Misogyny

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

From Baahubali to Peddi, these blockbuster South Indian films drew criticism for romanticising toxic masculinity and reducing their female leads to objects of desire.

'Don't know how Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was provoked, he is a composed kid'

'Don't know how Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was provoked, he is a composed kid'

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

India spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule on Tuesday said that while it was difficult to know what provoked Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's on-field altercation with a Sri Lanka A player.

Why are all-rounders getting injured so often?

Why are all-rounders getting injured so often?

Rediff.com7 days ago

Batting-order flexibility has become a key factor in modern white-ball cricket, and former India all-rounder Vijay Shankar believes players who can seamlessly adapt to different roles are increasingly valuable in a format driven by situational demands.

Puri Jagannath Temple Secures Trademark Protection

Puri Jagannath Temple Secures Trademark Protection

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

This marks a significant step towards legally safeguarding the cultural and spiritual identity of one of Hinduism's most revered pilgrimage centres.

TMC leader Jahangir Khan's wife arrested over police station attack

TMC leader Jahangir Khan's wife arrested over police station attack

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Regina Bibi, wife of TMC leader Jahangir Khan, has been arrested for allegedly masterminding a violent attempt to free him from police custody and leading an attack on the Falta police station earlier this month.

SC refuses urgent hearing on two NEET-UG re-test pleas

SC refuses urgent hearing on two NEET-UG re-test pleas

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

The Supreme Court has declined an urgent hearing on petitions challenging the June 21 NEET-UG 2026 re-test, stating that all related matters will be heard by Justice P S Narasimha's bench in July. Students are seeking reconsideration of the re-test date due to mental trauma, inadequate preparation time, and concerns over examination integrity following the cancellation of the original May 3 exam.

Why Manika Batra Misses Out On Asian Games Table Tennis Squad

Why Manika Batra Misses Out On Asian Games Table Tennis Squad

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

India's prominent table tennis player, Manika Batra, has been excluded from the national squad for the upcoming Asian Games due to her absence from domestic events, which impacted her national ranking. The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) cited adherence to its selection criteria, which prioritises both national and world rankings.

Keir Starmer resigns as British PM, Andy Burnham likely successor

Keir Starmer resigns as British PM, Andy Burnham likely successor

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

British Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, stating he will remain in post until a successor is elected by mid-July. The decision follows questions from his parliamentary party regarding his leadership for the next general election, with Andy Burnham widely tipped as a potential successor.

Mahayuti bags 16 of 17 MLC seats in Maha amid cross-voting row; Oppn routed

Mahayuti bags 16 of 17 MLC seats in Maha amid cross-voting row; Oppn routed

Rediff.com7 days ago

Amid cross-voting from both ruling and Opposition ranks, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti on Monday swept 16 of the 17 Maharashtra Legislative Council seats from local authorities' constituencies even as Nashik delivered a surprise defeat to the governing bloc.

Undav double powers Germany into FIFA World Cup knockouts

Undav double powers Germany into FIFA World Cup knockouts

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Germany secured a spot in the World Cup knockout stage after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Ivory Coast.

This Duck Just Became Mexico's FIFA World Cup Hero

This Duck Just Became Mexico's FIFA World Cup Hero

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Merlin, a domesticated duck dressed in a miniature Mexico shirt and custom socks, has become an unexpected unofficial mascot for Mexico's World Cup team. After going viral during street celebrations, Merlin's popularity soared, with fans embracing the feathered supporter and his owner, Karla Gomez, expressing delight at his newfound fame.

Sooryavanshi's blitzkrieg fires India A to tri-nation one-day title

Sooryavanshi's blitzkrieg fires India A to tri-nation one-day title

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a breathtaking 29-ball 94 to fire India A to the tri-nation title, following a thumping 66-run victory against Sri Lanka A in the final on Sunday.

Does Trouble Follow Dharmendra Pradhan?

Does Trouble Follow Dharmendra Pradhan?

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Mr Pradhan is not an especially charismatic leader or a brilliant orator, but his understanding of realpolitik and organisational dynamics makes him the ultimate party man, points out Aditi Phadnis.

Worried Children, stressed parents join 'Cockroach' protest

Worried Children, stressed parents join 'Cockroach' protest

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

Students, college-goers, competitive exam aspirants, and parents gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for a protest organised by supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party, expressing deep concerns over recurring examination controversies, result uncertainties, and a perceived lack of accountability within the education system.

CBSE lodges plaint over coordinated cyber attacks on post-result portal

CBSE lodges plaint over coordinated cyber attacks on post-result portal

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has lodged a formal complaint with the Delhi Police regarding a series of coordinated cyber attacks targeting its post-result services portal. The board confirmed that all attacks were successfully mitigated, and no data breach or compromise of information was detected. The attacks aimed to destabilise the platform and potentially extract information, occurring amidst existing controversies for CBSE concerning alleged mismatches in Class 12 answer sheets.

Stanford students walk out during Sundar Pichai's address over deal with Israel

Stanford students walk out during Sundar Pichai's address over deal with Israel

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Students at Stanford University staged a walkout during Google CEO Sundar Pichai's commencement address, protesting the company's ties with the Israeli government, particularly its Project Nimbus cloud-computing deal.

Maharashtra Minister Embroiled in Controversy After Video Surfaces

Maharashtra Minister Embroiled in Controversy After Video Surfaces

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

Maharashtra minister Narhari Zirwal is facing calls for his dismissal after a video showing him with a transperson went viral. The minister claims the video is doctored and a blackmail attempt, while opposition parties demand his sacking for 'obscene and unethical behaviour'.

Indian teen killed in bid to save mother in runaway horse carriage in NYC's Central Park

Indian teen killed in bid to save mother in runaway horse carriage in NYC's Central Park

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

An 18-year-old Indian teenager, Romanch Mahajan, died in New York's Central Park after a horse-drawn carriage bolted, throwing his mother. He attempted to save her but sustained fatal injuries. The incident has reignited calls to ban horse carriages in the park, with officials and union representatives commenting on driver negligence and a history of similar accidents.

'Those Who Were Meant To Protect Ram Mandir Funds Looted It'

'Those Who Were Meant To Protect Ram Mandir Funds Looted It'

Rediff.com6 days ago

'SIT means nothing because the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh and Ram Janmabhoomi Trust are the same people.'

Why Vinesh Phogat's Registration Sparked Controversy With WFI

Why Vinesh Phogat's Registration Sparked Controversy With WFI

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has addressed Vinesh Phogat's concerns regarding her delayed entry into an upcoming ranking tournament, stating that her registration was processed and there was no attempt to block her participation.

Danve Alleges Government Protecting Police In Teacher's Death Case

Danve Alleges Government Protecting Police In Teacher's Death Case

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve has accused the government of protecting police personnel allegedly involved in the death of a teacher, Suresh Borse, in Ellora. Danve claims a police officer was present during the incident and shared a picture on X suggesting police links to an accused.

70-foot Messi statue in Kolkata taken down over safety concerns

70-foot Messi statue in Kolkata taken down over safety concerns

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

A 70-foot statue of football legend Lionel Messi was removed from Kolkata's Lake Town area on Monday after concerns were raised about its safety.

Delhi Police Launches Probe Into Sophisticated CBSE Portal Cyberattacks

Delhi Police Launches Probe Into Sophisticated CBSE Portal Cyberattacks

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

Delhi Police has initiated an investigation into "coordinated" and "sophisticated" cyberattacks targeting the CBSE's post-result services portal, which was set up for Class 12 answer sheet verification. The CBSE filed a complaint after detecting malicious traffic from various IP addresses, though it confirmed that all attacks were mitigated and no data breach occurred. This incident follows student complaints regarding discrepancies in scanned answer sheets.

Did Michael Show The Whole Truth?

Did Michael Show The Whole Truth?

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has achieved remarkable box office success, grossing over $700 million worldwide, yet it sparks debate over the power of fandom versus the need for a truthful depiction of an artist's controversial life.

'We want to unite the world': FIFA chief Infantino defends visa handling, ticket prices

'We want to unite the world': FIFA chief Infantino defends visa handling, ticket prices

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed various issues ahead of the World Cup, defending the body's handling of visa challenges, stressing its inability to override government decisions, and highlighting efforts to ensure participation from all nations, including Iran. He also defended ticket pricing and expressed optimism for a competitive tournament focused on unity.

Reliance, WhatsApp behind ban on Telegram in India: CEO

Reliance, WhatsApp behind ban on Telegram in India: CEO

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has accused Reliance Group, which has a partial Meta stake, of lobbying for a ban on Telegram in India and sabotaging its access for users outside India through BGP hijacking. A senior telecom industry source dismissed these claims as 'fake news,' stating Durov confused Reliance Communications with Reliance Industries Ltd. The allegations come as the Indian government has ordered Google and Apple to delist Telegram temporarily and disable its message-editing feature in India due to concerns over paper leaks in the NEET-UG examination.

Inmate's Viral Video From Hoshiarpur Jail Triggers Political Outcry

Inmate's Viral Video From Hoshiarpur Jail Triggers Political Outcry

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

A video of an inmate from Hoshiarpur Central Jail alleging harassment and demanding money from staff has gone viral, leading to an official inquiry and a political backlash against the Punjab government.

Raut says rebels fighting over Union ministry, claims 'Rs 25 crore settlement'

Raut says rebels fighting over Union ministry, claims 'Rs 25 crore settlement'

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut has made explosive claims of a Rs 25 crore deal for dissident MPs who miss out on Union ministerial berths, highlighting growing rifts within Maharashtra's political landscape. Six Sena-UBT MPs are expected to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, with Aaditya Thackeray calling them 'shameless, ungrateful and corrupt'.

Controversy Erupts Over Reinstalled Statues of Kakori Martyrs in UP

Controversy Erupts Over Reinstalled Statues of Kakori Martyrs in UP

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

A controversy has erupted in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, regarding the reinstallation of statues of Kakori Action martyrs. Questions are being raised about whether the statues are new or repaired old ones after they were allegedly demolished. The incident has led to political accusations, protests, and police investigation.

How BJP Outplays Congress On Political Chessboard

How BJP Outplays Congress On Political Chessboard

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

The rejection of senior Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination papers transformed what should have been a routine Rajya Sabha election into a lesson in contemporary political warfare.

'Won't leave Jantar Mantar until...': Cockroach Party founder

'Won't leave Jantar Mantar until...': Cockroach Party founder

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by Abhijit Dipke, is staging a protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and repeated paper leaks. Dipke has stated he will not leave until their demands are met and has requested Delhi Police to extend permission for the ongoing demonstration.

Mother marries lover days before daughter's engagement

Mother marries lover days before daughter's engagement

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

In a bizarre incident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, a mother married her lover just days before her daughter's engagement. The bride's father sought police intervention after the new husband posted their wedding status on social media, leading to mixed reactions.