News for 'democratic India'

Fake voters' list row rocks Palakkad bypoll; EC warns of action

Fake voters' list row rocks Palakkad bypoll; EC warns of action

Rediff.com19 Nov 2024

The Election Commission has said it will allow suspected fake voters to cast their ballots in the Palakkad assembly by-poll, but will take action against them later. The CPI(M), Congress, and BJP have accused each other of enrolling fake voters. The by-poll is scheduled for November 20.

Doors open for you, says Lalu; Nitish smiles at offer

Doors open for you, says Lalu; Nitish smiles at offer

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

Lalu's son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, however, sought to downplay the remarks made by his father, in an interview to a local news channel, claiming that the RJD supremo had merely tried to satisfy the curiosity of the prying media.

'Indian American Young Men May Vote For Trump'

'Indian American Young Men May Vote For Trump'

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

'One of the big findings is that younger men seem to have shifted towards the Republican Party.' 'In 2020, about 23% of younger men said they would vote Trump.' 'Now that number is 48%.' 'It is like a 25 point shift, and you don't actually see shifts that big in surveys.'

VP Dhankhar condemns 'Bangladesh can happen in India' remarks

VP Dhankhar condemns 'Bangladesh can happen in India' remarks

Rediff.com10 Aug 2024

'How can a citizen of this country having been a Member of Parliament, and the other who has seen enough of Foreign Service takes no time in saying that what happened in the neighbourhood will happen in India'

SC to hear pleas against CEC appointment under new law

SC to hear pleas against CEC appointment under new law

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

It will be court's opinion versus the legislative power to enact law, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said as it posted the pleas challenging the appointment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners under the 2023 law on February 4.

Kejriwal's temporary CM remark on Atishi an insult to Prez Murmu: LG

Kejriwal's temporary CM remark on Atishi an insult to Prez Murmu: LG

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena expressed concern over AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal labelling Atishi a "temporary chief minister" and called it a "flagrant disregard for the democratic spirit and values enshrined in the Constitution". In his letter to Atishi, Saxena said Kejriwal's remark was an insult to President Droupadi Murmu, who appointed her, as well as himself as her representative. Hitting back, Atishi alleged the lieutenant governor's office was working as a BJP "proxy" and asserted that Kejriwal was Delhi's "tallest leader".

Beware The American Deep State

Beware The American Deep State

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

Do not underestimate the ingenuity of the Deep State in America to have its way. Keeping the guard down will be a catastrophic mistake on the part of the Delhi establishment. We could get hit when least expected. That's what happened in Bangladesh and Syria, warns Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Biryani seller held for sexually assaulting Anna University girl

Biryani seller held for sexually assaulting Anna University girl

Rediff.com25 Dec 2024

An Anna University girl student was allegedly sexually assaulted and a 37-year old man, who sells biryani on the pavement, has been arrested for the crime, police said on Wednesday.

'Need new thinking for democratic environment ...': Rahul at Cambridge address

'Need new thinking for democratic environment ...': Rahul at Cambridge address

Rediff.com1 Mar 2023

Referencing to a decline in manufacturing in democratic countries such as India and the US in recent years as production shifted to China, Gandhi said the shift had produced mass inequality and anger which needed urgent attention and dialogue.

Reject elite understanding of democratic process: CJI

Reject elite understanding of democratic process: CJI

Rediff.com2 Dec 2022

...educated people are better decision-makers must be rejected, the CJI said.

'Band-aid for bullet wounds': Oppn slams Budget, says poll-centric

'Band-aid for bullet wounds': Oppn slams Budget, says poll-centric

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

India's opposition parties have sharply criticized the Union Budget, calling it inadequate to address the country's economic woes and accusing the BJP-led government of using it to woo voters in Bihar and Delhi ahead of upcoming elections. Leaders from the Congress, TMC, DMK, SP, and CPI(M) voiced their disapproval, highlighting concerns over inflation, unemployment, and the lack of substantial measures to support the agricultural sector and the poor. They also criticized the tax cuts for the middle class as insufficient and coming too late after years of high taxes and rising prices.

Is Trump A Lot Like Modi?

Is Trump A Lot Like Modi?

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

After being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Trump started his inaugural address with a sentence that echoed Modi's coinage some years ago, notes Modi biographer Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

'Rahul Gandhi Is Stabilising India With Caste Census Demand'

'Rahul Gandhi Is Stabilising India With Caste Census Demand'

Rediff.com27 Aug 2024

'Rahul Gandhi is raising the issue of a caste census though his party has been doing injustice on this front from the 1950s.'

Kash Patel Woos The Senators!

Kash Patel Woos The Senators!

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

US President-elect Donald J Trump has nominated Kash Patel to be the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, America's version of the CBI -- or rather the CBI is India's version of the FBI, which one must add is no caged parrot and operates independent of political intereference.

Govt closely watching Bangladesh developments: Union minister

Govt closely watching Bangladesh developments: Union minister

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Union Minister of State BL Verma expressed concern over the situation in Bangladesh and said the government is closely monitoring it. Addressing a Rozgar Mela in Jammu, he lauded the BSF for its role in safeguarding India's borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan. He also responded to questions on the Samajwadi Party's controversial statement labelling the BJP government as a "Hindu terrorist organisation", the Congress's allegations of EVM fraud, and Rahul Gandhi's call for a caste census.

My dignity, self-esteem deeply hurt by Rahul: BJP MP from Nagaland

My dignity, self-esteem deeply hurt by Rahul: BJP MP from Nagaland

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

A BJP MP from Nagaland has alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi came "very close" to her and "shouted" at her during a protest outside the Parliament, making her feel "uncomfortable." The incident has led to a war of words between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with both sides accusing each other of misconduct. The BJP has demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi, while the Congress has denied the allegations.

Modi congratulates 'friend' Trump on 'historic victory'

Modi congratulates 'friend' Trump on 'historic victory'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated 'friend' Donald Trump on his 'historic' presidential polls victory, and said he looks forward to renewing their collaboration to further strengthen the India-United States Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership.

Full text: President Murmu's R-Day eve address to the nation

Full text: President Murmu's R-Day eve address to the nation

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

'Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to strive to realise Gandhiji's dreams. His watchwords, truth and nonviolence, will continue to remain relevant for the whole world. He also taught us that rights and duties are but the two sides of the coin - indeed, the true source of rights is duty. Today we recall his lessons in compassion too - compassion not only for our human neighbours but also for our other neighbours, namely, flora and fauna, rivers and mountains.'

Bangladesh launches $5 billion graft probe against Hasina

Bangladesh launches $5 billion graft probe against Hasina

Rediff.com24 Dec 2024

An anti-graft panel in Bangladesh has launched an investigation against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzling $5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant, according to a media report.

Parliament scuffle: Injured BJP MPs under observation

Parliament scuffle: Injured BJP MPs under observation

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

The health condition of two Bharatiya Janata Party MPs, who suffered head injuries in a face-off between opposition and National Democratic Alliance members in Parliament premises, is much better now and they remain under observation in the ICU of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, authorities said on Friday.

Priyanka set to enter Parliament with huge victory in Wayanad

Priyanka set to enter Parliament with huge victory in Wayanad

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday cruised to her maiden electoral victory, from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, with a margin of over 4.1 lakh votes against Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Democratic Front's Sathyan Mokeri, according to figures released by the Election Commission.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

The Indian Diaspora has been able to carve a niche in their adopted countries as a result of their talent, perseverance and hardworking nature, asserts Rup Narayan Das.

Will Nirmalaji Be Generous To Bihar?

Will Nirmalaji Be Generous To Bihar?

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

If it was Andhra Pradesh last Budget, it's poll-bound Bihar that has now turned to Centre with a list of demands. How the NDA government is delivering on promises.

That Rarity Of Rarities, A Good Man In Politics

That Rarity Of Rarities, A Good Man In Politics

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

As a leader, he was ambitious, not for himself but for India and its people. His was not the short-term election cycle calculation of individual political gain. His was a practical vision of how to better the lives of his fellow citizens, asserts Ambassador Shivshankar Menon, who served as foreign secretary and national security advisor when Dr Singh was prime minister.

Why BJP failed to win Jharkhand despite aggressive campaign

Why BJP failed to win Jharkhand despite aggressive campaign

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance throwing all its weight to snatch Jharkhand from the hands of a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-headed coalition, the saffron camp suffered a debacle leaving the party's rank and file wondering what had gone wrong.

No PM in past uttered such hateful...: When Manmohan Singh slammed Modi

No PM in past uttered such hateful...: When Manmohan Singh slammed Modi

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accused his successor, Narendra Modi, of lowering the dignity of public discourse and the gravity of the office of the prime minister by giving "hateful speeches" during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. In an appeal to voters of Punjab ahead of the seventh phase of Lok Sabha polls, Singh asserted that only the Congress can ensure a growth-oriented progressive future where democracy and the Constitution will be safeguarded.

BJP storms to power in Delhi after 26 yrs as AAP bites dust

BJP storms to power in Delhi after 26 yrs as AAP bites dust

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday returned to power in Delhi after more than 26 years to sweep away the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party with a two-thirds majority on the back of a hyper localised campaign and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'AAP-da'(disaster) blitzkrieg.

Modi says India is land of opportunities; promises reforms, stable policy

Modi says India is land of opportunities; promises reforms, stable policy

Rediff.com31 Aug 2024

Projecting India as the land of biggest opportunities globally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised the business sector facilitation, reforms, a stable policy regime and high growth. Addressing the ET World Leaders Forum, Modi, in turn, asked investors to commit to innovation, performance, positive disruption and high-quality products, as he stressed that the country respects wealth creators.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Trinamool MP submits written apology for remarks against Scindia

Trinamool MP submits written apology for remarks against Scindia

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said that Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee has submitted a written apology for his remarks against Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia besides apologising in the House.

Worm-infested food kits given to Wayanad landslide survivors?

Worm-infested food kits given to Wayanad landslide survivors?

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

Survivors of the landslides in Chooralmala-Mundakai in Wayanad district alleged on Thursday that they were given worm-infested food kits by the Meppadi Gram Panchayat, leading to a violent protest by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) on Thursday.

'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.'

SC rejects plea to remove 'Socialist', 'Secular' from Preamble

SC rejects plea to remove 'Socialist', 'Secular' from Preamble

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed petitions challenging the 1976 amendment to the Constitution that added the terms "socialist", "secular", and "integrity" to the Preamble. The court ruled that the inclusion of these terms, made through amendments, is valid and does not affect the original adoption of the Constitution in 1949.

Naidu, Nitish will withdraw support; INDIA to form govt: Siddaramaiah

Naidu, Nitish will withdraw support; INDIA to form govt: Siddaramaiah

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) would soon form government at the Centre, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed on Wednesday as he predicted that the ruling National Democratic Alliance will not complete its five-year term.

India's Neighbourhood First Policy Crumbling

India's Neighbourhood First Policy Crumbling

Rediff.com26 Aug 2024

The fundamental construct of India's neighbourhood policy still needs to be what Vajpayee postulated, Manmohan Singh embraced, and Modi energised. It's just that we need to junk domestic politics and excessive religiosity, while acquiring much humility and a renewed respectfulness towards our neighbours, recommends Shekhar Gupta.

'Omar Abdullah Has Become BJP Mouthpiece'

'Omar Abdullah Has Become BJP Mouthpiece'

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

'Omar Abdullah presented Delhi as a villain in front of the people of Jammu Kashmir before elections and now is shaking hands with them.'

Plea filed in SC seeking statehood for J-K in 2 months

Plea filed in SC seeking statehood for J-K in 2 months

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

The fresh application has been filed by Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, an academician, and Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, a socio-political activist, in Jammu and Kashmir seeking restoration of statehood.

'Trump Respects The Indian People'

'Trump Respects The Indian People'

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

'The relationship between India and the US, when Donald Trump was president, had been so much stronger.'

SC wants EVM plea sent to bench behind paper ballot verdict

SC wants EVM plea sent to bench behind paper ballot verdict

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday said the plea seeking a policy for verification of electronic voting machines should go before the same bench that delivered a verdict in April rejecting the demand for bringing back the old paper ballots.

How India Won Back Maldives's Trust

How India Won Back Maldives's Trust

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

The avoidable stresses and strains in ties helped in one way. It showed for the entire region how a matured India handled diplomatic relations, especially with a smaller and suspicious neighbour, with practised dignity and patience, unruffled by provocations in word, deed and action, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.