News for 'democracy'

'130th Amendment Risks Placing Power In ED/CBI/CID/Police'

'130th Amendment Risks Placing Power In ED/CBI/CID/Police'

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

'Anyone they don't like can be potentially arrested and thrown in jail for 30 days to induce regime change.'

SC questions Centre on bills pending with Governors since 2020

SC questions Centre on bills pending with Governors since 2020

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

The Centre has opposed the imposition of fixed timelines on governors and the President for decisions on bills passed by state legislatures, arguing that such constraints were intentionally omitted by the Constitution's framers.

SC allows excluded Bihar voters to submit claims with Aadhaar

SC allows excluded Bihar voters to submit claims with Aadhaar

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

Expressing surprise over political parties not coming forward in filing objections related to 65 lakh excluded voters, the top court directed the chief electoral officer of Bihar to implead them in the court proceedings.

EC suspends 4 Bengal officials for lapses in voter list

EC suspends 4 Bengal officials for lapses in voter list

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

The Election Commission suspended four officers and a casual worker in West Bengal for alleged dereliction of duty and lapses in preparing electoral rolls. The action follows allegations of electoral roll compromise at the behest of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Maharashtra match was fixed, Bihar next: Rahul Gandhi's big claim

Maharashtra match was fixed, Bihar next: Rahul Gandhi's big claim

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections were a 'blueprint for rigging democracy' and this 'match-fixing' would next happen in Bihar and 'anywhere the Bharatiya Janata Party is losing'.

The C P Radhakrishnan You Didn't Know

The C P Radhakrishnan You Didn't Know

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

'In my 26 years at Raj Bhavan, working with more than ten governors, I can tell you C P Radhakrishnan Sir stands out.'

Who lives if India dies?: Tharoor quotes Nehru amid rift with Cong

Who lives if India dies?: Tharoor quotes Nehru amid rift with Cong

Rediff.com20 Jul 2025

' Sometimes the parties feel that is disloyal to them and that becomes a big problem which is your first loyalty? To my mind the nation comes first'

'Declaring End Of Maoist Insurgency By March 2026 Is Foolish'

'Declaring End Of Maoist Insurgency By March 2026 Is Foolish'

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

'Handling or mitigating a rebellion is not a corporate plan with quarterly, half-yearly and annual goals and results but an aggregation of the effort of several years.'

Can Trump's Diplomacy End Ukraine War?

Can Trump's Diplomacy End Ukraine War?

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

Trump has played throughout his career as a deal-maker who could deliver where others could not, and Ukraine represents the ultimate test of that image, notes Manish Dabhade.

Maha passes bill to curb urban Naxalism; won't misuse, assures CM

Maha passes bill to curb urban Naxalism; won't misuse, assures CM

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

The Maharashtra legislative assembly passed the 'Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill' aimed at preventing unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organizations, focusing on urban Naxalism and passive militancy.

Why India Should Not Worry About Trump

Why India Should Not Worry About Trump

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

Trump's method are more destabilising than his policy. So, a good idea these couple of years is to sip Kool-Aid, and savour the joys of Trumplomacy, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

'My Book Is Not Even About Terrorism'

'My Book Is Not Even About Terrorism'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

'I'm sure those few terrorists who are continuing to operate in the Valley are not reading books.' 'Are they trying to tell us that there are certain people who first intellectualise themselves and then go about picking up guns?' 'It is absolutely absurd.'

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.

People in democracies need a sense of uncertainty

People in democracies need a sense of uncertainty

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

For trust in democracy to be retained, elections need to be not just free of intervention -- ruling out Pakistan and Russia -- but also demonstrate the capability to both deliver ruling mandates and hold the potential for large swings in favour of the opposition, points out Mihir S Sharma.And, after an election is done, they need to see a mandate in order to go back to their lives and let their representatives get on with the business of government, points out Mihir S Sharma.

Now, Sidda says BJP manipulated LS polls in Karnataka

Now, Sidda says BJP manipulated LS polls in Karnataka

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday alleged that the Congress party's setback in the recent Lok Sabha polls in the state was the result of 'illegal manipulation' of the electoral process by the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of 'misusing' the Election Commission.

In UK, Modi warns against 'misuse of democratic freedom'

In UK, Modi warns against 'misuse of democratic freedom'

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer discussed the need to prevent the misuse of democratic freedoms by extremist ideologies. They also addressed terrorism and trade ties.

How Subramanian Swamy Escaped Arrest During The Emergency

How Subramanian Swamy Escaped Arrest During The Emergency

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

'Is it right and proper for the US authorities to allow people like Subrahmanya Swamy [sic] go round the country preaching murder, violence, overthrow of the duly elected Government of India?' A fascinating excerpt from Sugata Srinivasaraju's The Conscience Network: A Chronicle of Resistance to a Dictatorship.

Gujarat ATS busts Al-Qaeda terror module, 4 held in raids

Gujarat ATS busts Al-Qaeda terror module, 4 held in raids

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has busted a terror module and arrested four individuals for allegedly promoting the ideology of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). The arrests were made in a multi-state operation, with the accused involved in sharing radical content on social media to incite violence and establish 'sharia' law in India.

SC asks EC to publish details of 65 lakh deleted voters with reasons

SC asks EC to publish details of 65 lakh deleted voters with reasons

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish details of deleted names from the voters list in Bihar, along with reasons for non-inclusion, to enhance transparency in the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll.

India-Canada relations 'extremely important': Modi

India-Canada relations 'extremely important': Modi

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said relations between India and Canada are 'extremely important' and the two nations should work together to achieve win-win cooperation in various sectors.

'Prime Minister's Inclusion Is A Constitutional Mockery'

'Prime Minister's Inclusion Is A Constitutional Mockery'

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

'This type of comprehensive legislation has never been introduced before in Parliament's history.' 'A bill that simultaneously affects ministers, chief ministers, and the prime minister represents completely uncharted Constitutional territory.' 'Throughout our nation's legislative history, the established policy has consistently held that public office holders should face punishment only after receiving conviction from a competent court of law. Without this safeguard, we risk systematic destabilisation, and our federal structure would face complete collapse.' 'Any central government could potentially deploy this legislation against state governments they oppose politically. This represents the most frightening prospect and dangerous possibility that these bills create.'

Not 'save democracy' but...: BJP slams INDIA's Delhi rally

Not 'save democracy' but...: BJP slams INDIA's Delhi rally

Rediff.com31 Mar 2024

Their leader is now Lalu Prasad Yadav, a convict in several corruption cases, he added.

Every Picture Tells A Story

Every Picture Tells A Story

Rediff.com26 Jul 2025

Glimpses from around the world that will make you smile and cry.

Was Guaranteed 160 Seats For MVA In Maha Polls: Pawar

Was Guaranteed 160 Seats For MVA In Maha Polls: Pawar

Rediff.com9 Aug 2025

Sharad Pawar claimed that two individuals had met him in New Delhi before the 2024 Maharashtra assembly polls and 'guaranteed' the Opposition's victory in 160 of 288 constituencies.

Vice President Dhankhar Resigns Citing Medical Reasons

Vice President Dhankhar Resigns Citing Medical Reasons

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

Vice President Dhankhar had in March this year undergone an angioplasty at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.

Why Is US Going Through This Madness?

Why Is US Going Through This Madness?

Rediff.com9 Aug 2025

The answer is to be found in the rise of the global south and in particular, the rise of China, explains Aakar Patel.

Ragi idlis to grilled fish: Parl unveils nutri-rich diet plan for MPs

Ragi idlis to grilled fish: Parl unveils nutri-rich diet plan for MPs

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Parliament introduces a new 'Health Menu' featuring millet-based dishes, salads, and lean protein options to promote healthier eating habits among lawmakers, officials, and visitors.

Govt rejects demand to discuss SIR, Oppn proposes 'middle path'

Govt rejects demand to discuss SIR, Oppn proposes 'middle path'

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

The government rejected the Opposition's demand for a discussion on electoral roll revision in Bihar, citing that the matter is sub judice and pending before the judiciary.

Mumbai, Malegaon Verdicts: Collective National Failure

Mumbai, Malegaon Verdicts: Collective National Failure

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

The blame must be shared by the investigating agencies, the government of the day and the nation at large, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

'Daam Kam, Dum Zyada': Top quotes from Modi's I-Day speech

'Daam Kam, Dum Zyada': Top quotes from Modi's I-Day speech

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Independence Day, focusing on economic growth, self-reliance, and national security. He emphasized manufacturing quality products at affordable prices, supporting farmers, and combating terrorism and infiltration.

Should India rethink US ties after Trump's Pak tilt?

Should India rethink US ties after Trump's Pak tilt?

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

Strategic affairs experts express concern over US President Donald Trump's tariffs on India, his 'bullying tactics,' and increasing attempts to hyphenate New Delhi with Islamabad, signaling a potential shift in the bilateral relationship.

'Save Democracy': INDIA bloc protests against MPs' suspension

'Save Democracy': INDIA bloc protests against MPs' suspension

Rediff.com21 Dec 2023

INDIA bloc leaders will protest at Jantar Mantar Friday against suspension of MPs and nationwide protests will also be held in all district headquarters against the government's "immoral and illegal" behaviour of this government, the Leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha said.

Why Do We Believe Israel, And Not Iran?

Why Do We Believe Israel, And Not Iran?

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

At the end of the day, for many worldwide, the ongoing mutual attacks between Israel and Iran would seem a contest devoid of any moral high ground and only a bout between two ordinary adversaries, one that nevertheless risks spinning out of control into a larger conflagration, notes Shyam G Menon.

'Such Laws Are Designed To Terrorise People'

'Such Laws Are Designed To Terrorise People'

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

'The definitions in the Act are so wide and so vague that they can be easily misused to target individuals who may not be conducive to the present government in power.'

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.

Operation Sindoor debate: Modi takes swipe at Opposition

Operation Sindoor debate: Modi takes swipe at Opposition

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

In his first address to National Democratic Alliance MPs in over a year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasised its collective identity as a natural and organic alliance, asserting that its journey since its foundation in 1998 is dotted with successes and has many more achievements in store.

Electoral bonds: Can India be democracy if..., asks SC

Electoral bonds: Can India be democracy if..., asks SC

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

Democracy does not begin and end with elections and the integrity of election process is pivotal for sustaining the democratic form of government, the Supreme Court said on Thursday while striking down as unconstitutional the electoral bonds scheme for political funding.

Centre to honour sacrifices of Emergency victims

Centre to honour sacrifices of Emergency victims

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

At its meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet observed a two-minute silence as a tribute to those whose constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights were taken away and who were then subjected to unimaginable horrors.

'BJP's stranglehold over democracy has to be broken'

'BJP's stranglehold over democracy has to be broken'

Rediff.com8 Feb 2024

'You can attack and conspire to weaken us, but you cannot destroy the Congress permanently.'

Break legs of Cong workers, get rewards: Odisha ACP sparks row

Break legs of Cong workers, get rewards: Odisha ACP sparks row

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

The controversy erupted after a purported video, in which Bhubaneswar Additional Police Commissioner Narasingha Bhol was seen instructing police personnel to "break their legs and take reward from me" during a Congress workers' protest, went viral.