News for 'democracy'

Defence Is Key To India US Relationship

Defence Is Key To India US Relationship

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

The China threat continues to resonate in the strategic partnership between India and the USA, points out Rup Narayan Das.

Jeopardizing...: 6 US lawmakers write to AG against Adani indictment

Jeopardizing...: 6 US lawmakers write to AG against Adani indictment

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Six US Congressmen have written to the Attorney General of the United States expressing concerns over the Department of Justice's indictment of the Adani Group, alleging it jeopardizes relations with India. The letter, signed by Lance Gooden, Pat Fallon, Mike Haridopolos, Brandon Gill, William R Timmmons, and Brian Babin, criticizes the Biden administration's decision to pursue the case, arguing that it has no real injury to US interests and could negatively impact the strategic partnership between the US and India. The Congressmen call for an investigation into the DOJ's conduct and request records pertaining to the case.

SIT to probe Pak man linked to Cong MP Gogoi's wife

SIT to probe Pak man linked to Cong MP Gogoi's wife

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

The Assam Cabinet on Sunday had decided not to register any case against the Congress MP or his British spouse, who the BJP has accused of having ISI links, but instructed the DGP to file an FIR against Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh.

Privacy is media's alliance, fear of surveillance is an assault: HC

Privacy is media's alliance, fear of surveillance is an assault: HC

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

The Madras High Court has asserted that press freedom and privacy are intertwined and that surveillance constitutes an attack on the press, which is considered the fourth pillar of democracy. The court made this observation while addressing petitions filed by the Chennai Press Club and three reporters seeking protection from harassment by a police Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the leak of an FIR concerning a sexual assault case at Anna University. The court highlighted the importance of protecting journalists' sources and criticized the SIT for seizing reporters' mobile phones without justification and for failing to adequately investigate the source of the leaked FIR.

'Amen': How world reacted to Trump-Zelensky's fiery clash

'Amen': How world reacted to Trump-Zelensky's fiery clash

Rediff.com1 Mar 2025

The heated exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy and the resulting outpouring of support for the Ukrainian leader highlighted the deep fissures that have emerged between America and Europe over Ukraine.

Now, Trump says $21 million went to 'my friend Modi' for voter turnout

Now, Trump says $21 million went to 'my friend Modi' for voter turnout

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

United States President Donald Trump for the fourth time in recent days claimed that the Biden administration allocated $21 million funding to India for 'voter turnout', evoking a sharp response from the Congress which urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to 'talk to his friend' and strongly refute the allegation.

'Welcome home', Biden tells Trump at White House

'Welcome home', Biden tells Trump at White House

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

US President Joe Biden greeted his successor Donald Trump at the White House with the message "welcome home" as Trump's motorcade arrived at the official presidential residence. Biden and Trump then went inside the White House for their traditional tea. Trump, 78, will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, succeeding Biden, 82. The ceremony has been moved inside the Rotunda from outside the Capitol Hill facing the majestic National Mall.

May 'this temple of democracy' ...: Modi on new Parliament

May 'this temple of democracy' ...: Modi on new Parliament

Rediff.com27 May 2023

Modi also noted that through very emotional voiceovers people are conveying a spirit of pride that the nation is getting a new Parliament which will keep working to fulfill people's aspirations with more vigour.

'Modiji Has Tamed The People Of India'

'Modiji Has Tamed The People Of India'

Rediff.com17 Jan 2025

'The BJP has killed public anger. They have killed people's self-respect.'

Relief to Adani? Trump pauses enforcement of foreign bribery law

Relief to Adani? Trump pauses enforcement of foreign bribery law

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice to pause enforcing a nearly half-century-old law that was used to launch a bribery investigation against the Adani Group. Trump signed an order to pause enforcing of the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) that prohibits American companies and foreign firms from bribing officials of foreign governments to obtain or retain business.

'1,800 Mosques Are Disputed In This Country'

'1,800 Mosques Are Disputed In This Country'

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

'Unless Justice Chandrachud's judgment is (over)turned, there is no end to it.'

Relief to Adani? Trump pauses foreign bribery law

Relief to Adani? Trump pauses foreign bribery law

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Trump signed an order to pause enforcing of the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) that prohibits American companies and foreign firms from bribing officials of foreign governments to obtain or retain business.

India witnessing death of democracy: Rahul Gandhi

India witnessing death of democracy: Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com5 Aug 2022

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that India is witnessing the 'death of democracy' and anybody who stands against the onset of dictatorship is 'viciously attacked'.

'Prabhakaran's Biggest Blunder Was Rajiv Gandhi's Murder'

'Prabhakaran's Biggest Blunder Was Rajiv Gandhi's Murder'

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

'This was a decision taken and executed by Prabhakaran and his intelligence chief Pottu Amman. Both were convinced that the assassination would not be linked to them.'

Meta apologises for Zuckerberg's remarks on Indian elections

Meta apologises for Zuckerberg's remarks on Indian elections

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier called out the remarks made by Zuckerberg on the Joe Rogan podcast. "Mr. Zuckerberg's claim that most incumbent governments, including India in 2024 elections, lost post-COVID is factually incorrect," Vaishnaw had said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on January 13.

Hurt by its success, people attack Indian democracy: PM's dig at Rahul

Hurt by its success, people attack Indian democracy: PM's dig at Rahul

Rediff.com18 Mar 2023

When the country is full of confidence and resolve, and intellectuals of the world are optimistic about India, talk of pessimism, showing the country in poor light and hurting the morale of the country also takes place, he said at the India Today Conclave.

Test of democracy is will I be allowed to reply, says Rahul Gandhi

Test of democracy is will I be allowed to reply, says Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com17 Mar 2023

If they will allow I will speak inside the parliament, the Wayanad MP said.

Manmohan called note ban 'biggest scam of India'

Manmohan called note ban 'biggest scam of India'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

Hailed as the architect of India's economic reforms, former prime minister Manmohan Singh in one his last interviews had said in 2019 that the country's economy was 'over-regulated', the government exerted control and interferences were aplenty with even regulators having 'morphed into controllers'.

Democracy 'cremated' in Lok Sabha: Cong on Rahul's expunged remarks

Democracy 'cremated' in Lok Sabha: Cong on Rahul's expunged remarks

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

The Congress leader's remarks had drawn a sharp response from the treasury benches, with Law Minister Kiren Rijiju asking him not to level "wild allegations" and to furnish proof of his claims.

Cops reach Allahbadia's home; NCW summons him, Raina, others

Cops reach Allahbadia's home; NCW summons him, Raina, others

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

A day after he hit the spotlight with a comment on parents and sex, trouble mounted for influencer Ranveer Allahbadia on Tuesday with Mumbai police at his doorstep, YouTube pulling down the episode of 'India's Got Latent' and the issue being raised in Parliament.

'Elon Musk was fascinated about Kumbh Mela'

'Elon Musk was fascinated about Kumbh Mela'

Rediff.com18 Jan 2025

Musk said on Friday that he believes India-US ties are "trending positive" and that he favours an enhanced trade partnership between the two nations.

Did you check bags of Modi, Shah like you did mine: Uddhav slams officials

Did you check bags of Modi, Shah like you did mine: Uddhav slams officials

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

The former chief minister asked if the election authorities would also inspect the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders.

Rishi Sunak joins Oxford, Stanford in academic roles

Rishi Sunak joins Oxford, Stanford in academic roles

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on new academic roles at the University of Oxford and Stanford University, both alma maters of the Conservative Party member of Parliament. Sunak will join Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government as a member of the World Leaders Circle and a Distinguished Fellow, while at Stanford, he will be the William C Edwards Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Sunak expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to both institutions, highlighting their leading research in global challenges, economic policy, and technological advancements. He emphasized the significance of his education at both universities in shaping his life and career. The appointments have been welcomed by both institutions, with leaders praising Sunak's expertise and experience in global affairs and economic policy.

The Two Faces of India's Democracy

The Two Faces of India's Democracy

Rediff.com22 Sep 2022

How should one billion Indians, for whom deprivation has become an inescapable way of life, join us in celebrating 75 years of Independence? And where do we go from here? asks Kalyan Singhal.

Gujarat court cancels Mevani's jail term, says dissent is essence of democracy

Gujarat court cancels Mevani's jail term, says dissent is essence of democracy

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

A sessions court in Gujarat's Mehsana district on Wednesday set aside a lower court order sentencing Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani and nine others to three months in jail in a 2017 case of taking out a public rally without police permission, noting debates and bona fide criticism of government actions are essential for the existence of democracy.

Deep State And Beyond: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories

Deep State And Beyond: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

From bhikshus of Ashokan 3rd century BC and medieval Sufis to Oxfam, Omidyar and Soros now, non-State actors have any real power only when they work in conjunction with a real State, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Do you support BJP's 'wrongdoings'?: Kejriwal writes to RSS chief

Do you support BJP's 'wrongdoings'?: Kejriwal writes to RSS chief

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

The BJP, meanwhile, asked Kejriwal to learn "spirit of service" from the RSS leaving behind his "political moves" instead of writing to Bhagwat to draw "media attention".

Rule of law an umbrella to protect citizens against State's power: SC

Rule of law an umbrella to protect citizens against State's power: SC

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

It said the law must be just and fair and should protect the human rights and dignity of all members of society.

'Mumbai Rises to Save Democracy'

'Mumbai Rises to Save Democracy'

Rediff.com23 Dec 2022

'The State has played with their lives. Arsenal proved the machines were hacked and false evidence implanted with false files and letters.'

'If We Are A Global Power It's Because Of Him'

'If We Are A Global Power It's Because Of Him'

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

'A man who brought about the greatest set of economic reforms in the country, who changed the course of Indian history, cannot be considered weak.' 'A man who fought for nuclear reforms even though his majority in Parliament was threatened, he cannot be considered weak.'

Yes, It Happened This Year

Yes, It Happened This Year

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Some glimpses from the year gone by.

Yamuna 'poisoning': Referred to high ammonia level, Kejriwal tells CEC

Yamuna 'poisoning': Referred to high ammonia level, Kejriwal tells CEC

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal went to the Election Commission's office in New Delhi on Friday and furnished his reply to the poll body over its notice to him on his 'poison mixed' in Yamuna water remark.

New trend of allegation vs counter-allegation not good for democracy: Om Birla

New trend of allegation vs counter-allegation not good for democracy: Om Birla

Rediff.com15 Feb 2023

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday said a "new tradition" of levelling allegations and counter-allegations being observed in Parliament and state Assemblies these days is not proper for the country's constitutional democracy, and stressed the need for constructive debate and discussion in Houses to make democracy "lively and active".

TN governor seems to have adopted own procedure to okay bills: SC

TN governor seems to have adopted own procedure to okay bills: SC

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said, "He (the governor) seems to have adopted his own procedure. He says, 'I withhold assent, but I will not ask you to reconsider the bill'. It does not make sense to keep withholding assent and not send it to the legislature, thereby frustrating the provision of Article 200."

Oppn submits notice for moving no-trust motion against 'partisan' Veep

Oppn submits notice for moving no-trust motion against 'partisan' Veep

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

Opposition parties on Tuesday submitted a notice to move a motion for removing Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for allegedly conducting the House in a partisan manner.

Now, Ajit Pawar posts video of checking of his bags

Now, Ajit Pawar posts video of checking of his bags

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's bags were checked by poll personnel on Wednesday while he was onboard a helicopter to travel for poll campaign, and the Nationalist Congress Party leader said such measures are needed to ensure free and fair elections.

Should judges enter politics? Ex-CJI Chandrachud says...

Should judges enter politics? Ex-CJI Chandrachud says...

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

Former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud has expressed concern about the influence of social media on the judiciary, stating that special interest groups are using it to sway court decisions and judges need to be vigilant. He highlighted the dangers of forming opinions based on short social media clips, emphasizing the nuanced nature of judicial decision-making. Chandrachud also defended the collegium system for judicial appointments and clarified that while there is no legal bar on judges entering politics after retirement, their decisions might be scrutinized differently due to their past roles.

Elon Musk joins Trump to address thousands in US city where ex-prez shot at

Elon Musk joins Trump to address thousands in US city where ex-prez shot at

Rediff.com6 Oct 2024

Joined by high-profile figures like Tesla owner Elon Musk and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, Trump (78) made a passionate plea to "defeat" Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate in the November 5 presidential poll.

Difference in EVM votes, but don't have proof: Sharad Pawar

Difference in EVM votes, but don't have proof: Sharad Pawar

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has alleged misuse of power and money to control the election mechanism in Maharashtra, calling for a mass revolt. He cites claims of EVM manipulation by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and says that the situation was unprecedented, with money and power used to control the entire election process. Pawar also expressed concerns about the suppression of opposition voices in Parliament and the lack of response to concerns about EVM manipulation.

Several killed in Guinea soccer stadium stampede

Several killed in Guinea soccer stadium stampede

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Unverified images also showed fans scrambling over the walls of the stadium.