News for 'democratic India'

Instead of stopping atrocities...: RSS slams B'desh

Instead of stopping atrocities...: RSS slams B'desh

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

'It is unjust for the Bangladesh government to send ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is leading the Hindus in such peaceful demonstrations, to jail'

Foreign secretary raises safety of minorities in Bangladesh

Foreign secretary raises safety of minorities in Bangladesh

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday on a day-long visit to hold talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, amid strained bilateral ties since August following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Govt bans Lebanon-based terror outfit Hizb-ut-Tahrir

Govt bans Lebanon-based terror outfit Hizb-ut-Tahrir

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

In a notification, the Union home ministry said the HuT is involved in radicalisation and motivation of gullible youth to join terrorist organisations, such as ISIS, and raising funds for terror activities.

Not angry but...: BNP leader on Hasina's stay in India

Not angry but...: BNP leader on Hasina's stay in India

Rediff.com23 Aug 2024

'New Delhi has to make up its mind whether it wants to be a friend of the Bangladeshi people or they want to be a friend of a section of people, or one party or one leader'

Hindu group endorses Trump over Harris for US President

Hindu group endorses Trump over Harris for US President

Rediff.com7 Sep 2024

Hindus for America First, a newly created grassroots organisation, has announced it will endorse Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and launch a campaign against Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina.

'Central BJP Is Ignorant Of Kerala Politics'

'Central BJP Is Ignorant Of Kerala Politics'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

'The Kerala BJP leadership is doing the job of clerical staff. What the boss orders, they just follow them.'

VHP men disrupt Xmas celebrations in Kerala school; 3 held

VHP men disrupt Xmas celebrations in Kerala school; 3 held

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, strongly condemned the alleged threatening of teachers at a government school in Kerala by Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists over Christmas celebrations. Kurian urged the state government to take stringent action against the culprits to prevent such incidents from recurring. The incident sparked outrage, with opposition leaders accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to create communal tension. Meanwhile, VHP leaders clarified that they were not against any religion and admitted that their district office bearers had questioned the teachers about the organisation of the Christmas celebration.

Soren invites Modi to his swearing-in ceremony

Soren invites Modi to his swearing-in ceremony

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

Acting Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, in his first visit to the national capital after leading his ruling alliance to an unprecedented second straight term in the state.

Diplomatic Expulsions: Games Nations Play

Diplomatic Expulsions: Games Nations Play

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

India and Canada have mutually beneficial political and economic linkages. The two countries should get together and find a solution. The expulsion war should, in the meantime, be a guarantee against any deterioration of the situation, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, the first Indian head of mission to be ever expelled by any country.

We can't take Modi-Trump personal ties for granted because...: Ex-envoys

We can't take Modi-Trump personal ties for granted because...: Ex-envoys

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

As Donald Trump registered a historic comeback in the US presidential election, many former Indian diplomats on Wednesday concurred that the India-US ties will "continue to grow" from strength to strength, even as some of them cautioned that Trump is "highly unpredictable" and New Delhi will have to "wait and watch" to see what position he adopts going forward.

Secularism part of Constitution's basic structure, says SC

Secularism part of Constitution's basic structure, says SC

Rediff.com21 Oct 2024

A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar passed the remark while hearing a batch of petitions filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain and others, who have challenged the inclusion of words "socialist" and "secular" in the Preamble of the Constitution.

America Stoops to Conquer

America Stoops to Conquer

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

The Biden administration's failure in stopping two major wars and several minor ones was seen as a major disaster by many Americans and the world at large, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Kamala Harris: 'Female Obama' who didn't make it to White House

Kamala Harris: 'Female Obama' who didn't make it to White House

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

Kamala's role as vice president was more than just symbolic. Unlike her predecessors, she wielded considerable power during Biden's presidency.

Major ruckus in Parliament over 'Cong-Soros' link

Major ruckus in Parliament over 'Cong-Soros' link

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

Proceedings of both Houses of Parliament were disrupted on Monday as the treasury benches accused top Congress leaders of colluding with billionaire investor George Soros to destabilise the country, triggering protests from opposition members.

Wayanad, 31 assembly seats face bypoll test on Wednesday

Wayanad, 31 assembly seats face bypoll test on Wednesday

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

Bypolls will be held on Wednesday in 31 assembly seats spread across 10 states and Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, from where Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is making her electoral debut. Though these bye-elections are not going to have any bearing on the governments, they are seen as a big test for the Congress and the INDIA bloc which failed to put up a united show in the recent Haryana assembly polls. Most of these seats fell vacant after the sitting MLAs contested the Lok Sabha elections and won while in some constituencies, the bypolls are being held due to death of the representatives. The Wayanad seat was vacated by Rahul Gandhi, who also won from the Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency which he kept. Voting will be held in seven seats in Rajasthan, six in West Bengal, five in Assam, four seats in Bihar, three in Karnataka, two seats in Madhya Pradesh, and one seat each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala and Meghalaya. Votes will be counted on November 23.

'Biased assumptions': India protests Germany's remarks on Kejriwal's arrest

'Biased assumptions': India protests Germany's remarks on Kejriwal's arrest

Rediff.com23 Mar 2024

A German Foreign Ministry spokesperson had "taken note" of Kejriwal's arrest.

RBI, Always Watchful, Always Vigilant

RBI, Always Watchful, Always Vigilant

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

The RBI has changed the way it approached supervision in the past. Having seen a couple of collapses in the NBFC sector and the near-collapse of a few banks, it is focusing on regular drills to prevent a fire from breaking out, explains Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

INDIA leader will be decided after ....: Vijayan amid Cong-CPM rift

INDIA leader will be decided after ....: Vijayan amid Cong-CPM rift

Rediff.com23 Apr 2024

He said, during a press meet in Kannur, that during the LS polls, alliances were being formed in various states as part of the platform and its result was that the Bharatiya Janata Party was being largely isolated.

Prashant Kishor begins fast unto death seeking BPSC exam repeal

Prashant Kishor begins fast unto death seeking BPSC exam repeal

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has begun a fast unto death in Patna, demanding the cancellation of a recent examination held by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). Kishor's hunger strike comes after he gave a 48-hour ultimatum to the Nitish Kumar government to act on the demand, raised by aggrieved candidates who allege the exam was rigged. The administration has declared the hunger strike illegal as it is not the designated site for protests.

SC notice to Centre, EC on fresh plea against freebies

SC notice to Centre, EC on fresh plea against freebies

Rediff.com15 Oct 2024

The petition filed by advocate Srinivasan has also sought a direction to poll panel to take effective steps to restrain political parties from making promises of freebies during the pre-election period.

Kerala bypolls: Why UDF concerned over namesakes in Palakkad, Chelakkara

Kerala bypolls: Why UDF concerned over namesakes in Palakkad, Chelakkara

Rediff.com31 Oct 2024

The grand old party alleged that these namesake candidates are backed by the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Bharatiya Janata Party to confuse voters.

It Wasn't Wise To Underestimate Manmohan Singh

It Wasn't Wise To Underestimate Manmohan Singh

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

There was more to him than he let on, asserts Aditi Phadnis.

'EC Can Shut Mouths Once And For All'

'EC Can Shut Mouths Once And For All'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

'If machines (EVMs) are so reliable, if our electoral system is so reliable, then why has the Election Commission so far not even responded to an ADR plea to share data of 79 (Lok Sabha) constituencies where there's a (alleged) dispute?'

'Idiot' Trudeau empowered Khalistani extremists: Former Canada minister

'Idiot' Trudeau empowered Khalistani extremists: Former Canada minister

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is 'sociologically and politically' an 'idiot' who has never truly understood that the vast majority of Sikhs are quite secular in their outlook and want nothing to do with Khalistan, according to a former Canadian minister.

'Pakistan Is Very Active In Bangladesh'

'Pakistan Is Very Active In Bangladesh'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2024

'The government is saying 88 Hindus have been killed, but it could be much more.' 'Their properties are being looted, their businesses have been ransacked. I am getting distress calls from there.' 'Muslims who believe in the philosophy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman are also under attack. Most of those who have fled Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina's fall are Muslims.'

Technology has become democratic in its truest sense: Modi

Technology has become democratic in its truest sense: Modi

Rediff.com1 Oct 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched 5G technology services in India and said that technology has become democratic in its truest sense since even the poor of the country have always come forward in adopting new technologies. He said that this is a major step in the vision of Digital India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. "Talking about Digital India, some people think that this is just a government scheme.

INDIA leaders meet on Wednesday to pick PM face: Uddhav

INDIA leaders meet on Wednesday to pick PM face: Uddhav

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

Thackeray said leaders of the Congress and other parties are holding talks with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Telegu Desam Party (TDP) head Chandrababu Naidu to explore the possibility of their entry into the bloc.

Be a good neighbour, don't stoke fire of hatred: Manipur slams Mizoram CM

Be a good neighbour, don't stoke fire of hatred: Manipur slams Mizoram CM

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

The Manipur government has accused Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma of stoking hatred and division through "unwarranted comments" and called on him to display "better statesmanship" by being a "good neighbour". In a statement, the Manipur government alleged that Lalduhoma's comments were part of a "greater agenda" to carve out a Kuki-Chin Christian nation from contiguous areas of Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh. It also warned against any attempt to "push" illegal Kuki-Chin immigrants from Mizoram into Manipur for land grabbing and the creation of a "Greater Mizoram." The Mizoram government could not be reached immediately for comment.

INDIA VOTES: First Phase: How Many Women Candidates?

INDIA VOTES: First Phase: How Many Women Candidates?

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

8.25 per cent or 134 candidates are women candidates in the first phase.

One nation, one election: Kovind panel report placed before Cabinet

One nation, one election: Kovind panel report placed before Cabinet

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

Simultaneous polls will help save resources, spur development and social cohesion, deepen "foundations of democratic rubric" and help realise the aspirations of "India, that is Bharat", the panel had said.

Time Services Acted On Modi Diktat!

Time Services Acted On Modi Diktat!

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

Almost five years later, the three services have still not fully understood that joint/theatre commands are not a discussion point; they are the prime minister's diktat on a military reform measure that is in line with what armed forces around the world have implemented, points out Ajai Shukla.

Parl protest melee: Cong claims Kharge pushed, Rahul manhandled

Parl protest melee: Cong claims Kharge pushed, Rahul manhandled

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

The Congress said BJP MPs had sticks in their hands and Kharge was threatened and pushed.

Bypolls in 15 assembly seats across 4 states on Wednesday

Bypolls in 15 assembly seats across 4 states on Wednesday

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

Bypolls will be held on Wednesday in 15 assembly seats spread across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttarakhand. The bypolls, however, will not have any direct impact on the respective legislative assemblies. The results will be declared on November 23. In Uttar Pradesh, polling will be held in Katehari, Karhal, Meerapur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, Sisamau, Khair, Phulpur and Kundarki. Ninety candidates are in the fray in these seats with the maximum of 14 in Ghaziabad. This will be the first electoral test of the INDIA bloc as well as the NDA in the politically-crucial state after the Lok Sabha elections. In Punjab, bypolls will be held in four assembly seats - Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC) and Barnala. The bypolls were necessitated after MLAs representing them were elected to the Lok Sabha. Polling will also be held for the Palakkad seat in Kerala and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand.

'Girls Will Be Girls Is About Your First Crush'

'Girls Will Be Girls Is About Your First Crush'

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

'The flutters of excitement of a high-school romance, and then how life changes.'

IOC urges nations to sever IBA ties amidst heated feud

IOC urges nations to sever IBA ties amidst heated feud

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The IOC has escalated its feud with the International Boxing Association by effectively asking member countries to de-recognize national federations that remain aligned to the suspended body, a directive that the IBA lambasted as "unacceptable gaslighting".

The Elevance of Kamala Harris

The Elevance of Kamala Harris

Rediff.com2 Nov 2024

Kamala has finessed bubblegum conversation about whether she is Black or Indian. Her Irrelevancing-approach, an Irrelevance-code if you will, is Elevated and Elegant -- this is the Elevance of Kamala! asserts economist Dr Anuradha Luther Maitra.

68% voting in Jharkhand's 2nd phase, pips 2019 figs

68% voting in Jharkhand's 2nd phase, pips 2019 figs

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

About 68 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm on Wednesday in 38 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand where voting in the second and final phase ended, officials said.

What Message Will The J&K Polls Have For India?

What Message Will The J&K Polls Have For India?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

'With all outlets of public expression virtually choked for the last five years, suppressed anger and frustration is looking for an opening via the ballot box.' 'There is no escape from the inevitability of the 'Engineer Rashid' factor surfacing in a big enough way to upset everyone's applecart,' alerts Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the veteran commentator on Kashmir affairs.

Suhas Subramanyam becomes first Desi to win US House seat from East Coast

Suhas Subramanyam becomes first Desi to win US House seat from East Coast

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

Running for the US House of Representatives from the 10th Congressional District of Virginia, a Democratic stronghold, Subramanyam defeated Mike Clancy of the Republican Party. He is currently a Virginia State Senator.

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

'As we enter 2025, it must be acknowledged that there is a convergence of capital, influential people (from business and politics) and technology deciding the destiny of others in the name of pride, patriotism, nationalism, nation building, all of it thinly veiled disguises for personal profit and glory,' asserts Shyam G Menon.