News for 'democratic necessity'

14 Mumbai Expressions You Ought To Know

14 Mumbai Expressions You Ought To Know

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

Let's acquaint you with Mumbai's picturesque slang.

The Man The LTTE Couldn't Kill

The Man The LTTE Couldn't Kill

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

The Tigers refused to forgive Douglas Devananda and tried to assassinate him repeatedly. He later said: "(LTTE chief Velupillai) Prabhakaran cannot kill me." Destiny proved him right.

'No contact since his arrest': Wangchuk's wife moves SC

'No contact since his arrest': Wangchuk's wife moves SC

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

Gitanjali Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, has filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking his release from detention under the National Security Act. Wangchuk was detained following protests in Ladakh. The plea challenges his detention and alleges violations of due process.

SC seeks Centre's response on Wangchuk's detention

SC seeks Centre's response on Wangchuk's detention

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and Union Territory of Ladakh regarding the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act. Wangchuk's wife filed a plea seeking his release. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 14.

Democratic country mustn't function like...: SC flags rising bail rejections

Democratic country mustn't function like...: SC flags rising bail rejections

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

"It is shocking that the Supreme Court is adjudicating bail pleas in cases that should be disposed of at the trial court level. The system is being burdened unnecessarily," Justice Oka said while hearing a bail plea.

Modi's Visit: 'Manipuris Are Disappointed'

Modi's Visit: 'Manipuris Are Disappointed'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

'No one anticipated magical solutions or miraculous interventions.' 'However, people across the entire spectrum -- whether residing in the valley or the hills -- expected the prime minister to dedicate at least five to ten minutes to genuinely listening to the voice of the people.'

Rumblings Within JD-U Against SIR

Rumblings Within JD-U Against SIR

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

This divergence is likely to intensify political dynamics both within the party and across the state, particularly as the opposition Mahagathbandhan -- comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress, and Left parties -- has been aggressively protesting the SIR and demanding its immediate scrapping.

TN ex-CM Panneerselvam exits NDA, hints at future alliances

TN ex-CM Panneerselvam exits NDA, hints at future alliances

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

The O Panneerselvam-led AIADMK Cadres Rights Retrieval Committee has withdrawn from the BJP-led NDA coalition, a year after joining. The move follows meetings between Panneerselvam and DMK Chief Minister M K Stalin, fueling speculation about future alliances.

India's Foreign Policy Needs Strategic Expansion

India's Foreign Policy Needs Strategic Expansion

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The era where nations thrived through rigid alignments is giving way to an age where the connective State defines power. For India, that era has arrived, points out Dr Nishakant Ojha.

Trump signs executive order to 'eliminate' Education Dept

Trump signs executive order to 'eliminate' Education Dept

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Trump said that the funds used to support students with disabilities and scholarships will be preserved and these duties will be provided to other institutions.

'India Has No Need To Support Baloch Movement'

'India Has No Need To Support Baloch Movement'

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

'When so many young Baloch men and women are willingly volunteering as fighters and even suicide bombers.'

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

'If we truly wish to understand and apply Marx's insights today, we must reject the rigid dogmas that later 'Marxists' imposed in his name.'

Simultaneous polls can promote consistency in governance: Prez Murmu

Simultaneous polls can promote consistency in governance: Prez Murmu

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

President Droupadi Murmu, in her address to the nation on Republic Day, advocated for the "One Nation One Election" initiative, emphasizing its potential to enhance governance and reduce financial burdens. She highlighted the government's efforts to eliminate remnants of colonialism, citing the replacement of British-era criminal laws with modern alternatives. Murmu also lauded India's economic progress, stressing the importance of inclusive growth and social welfare. She urged citizens to remember the sacrifices of freedom fighters and reaffirmed the significance of the Constitution in guiding India's journey towards a prosperous and equitable future.

SC directs Centre to safeguard domestic workers' rights

SC directs Centre to safeguard domestic workers' rights

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India directed the government to establish a legal framework to protect domestic workers and address their exploitation.

After The Oval Office Fracas, What Next For Ukraine?

After The Oval Office Fracas, What Next For Ukraine?

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Trump knows by now that the western narrative of Biden's war is a load of bullshit peppered with falsehoods and outright lies, and that the war erupted only out of the diabolic western plot to poke the bear, which got provoked finally and hit out, explains Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Kamala Harris recalls her Diwali visits to India in campaign op-ed

Kamala Harris recalls her Diwali visits to India in campaign op-ed

Rediff.com3 Nov 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic presidential candidate, in an op-ed on Saturday, recollected her frequent visit to India as a child, and her mother's mission to cure cancer.

Kishtwar ops: Omar seeks 'transparent' probe against soldiers

Kishtwar ops: Omar seeks 'transparent' probe against soldiers

Rediff.com22 Nov 2024

The alleged torture of five civilians by Army personnel in Kishtwar has triggered angry reactions from various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, notably from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has demanded a transparent investigation and court martial for those found guilty.

Will Japan Instability Derail India Ties?

Will Japan Instability Derail India Ties?

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

There is nothing to be worried about as bilateral ties are robust with solid foundations. Both are on the same page on the economic and defence/security ties bilaterally and globally and that shall continue irrespective of change in political dispensation in either country, points out Dr Rajaram Panda.

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.'

Voter turnout dips to 56% in phase 2 of J-K elections

Voter turnout dips to 56% in phase 2 of J-K elections

Rediff.com25 Sep 2024

The first phase of polling, held on September 18, saw an estimated 61.38 per cent voter turnout, while the final phase is set to take place on October 1 in the crucial elections being held after 10 years.

6 Month Tenure For Next Chief Justice

6 Month Tenure For Next Chief Justice

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

Justice Sanjiv Khanna 'belongs to that school of legal luminaries who give the highest primacy to facts.'

'Modi Is Not Yet a Legitimate PM'

'Modi Is Not Yet a Legitimate PM'

Rediff.com13 Jul 2024

'Just because the NDA has a majority and the BJP is the single largest party does not mean that this Modi government enjoys a majority in the Lok Sabha.' 'It is always possible that some members (of the NDA and even the BJP) may defect, some members may not want him to be the prime minister and they might vote differently (against Modi) in the confidence vote.'

'Misquoted', says HDK a day after questioning Guj subsidy to US firm

'Misquoted', says HDK a day after questioning Guj subsidy to US firm

Rediff.com15 Jun 2024

Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday clarified that he was misquoted on his purported remarks regarding the United States semiconductor firm Micron.

'As Long As Trudeau Is PM, There Won't Be De-escalating'

'As Long As Trudeau Is PM, There Won't Be De-escalating'

Rediff.com17 Oct 2024

'Canada doesn't want to de-escalate and neither does India. There is war when one party wants it, but peace is won by both parties.'

Lawmakers cannot claim privilege unconnected to working of the house: SC

Lawmakers cannot claim privilege unconnected to working of the house: SC

Rediff.com4 Mar 2024

The privileges enjoyed by MPs and MLAs are "tethered intrinsically" to the functioning of the legislature collectively, the Supreme Court said on Monday while holding that lawmakers taking bribe to vote or make a speech in the house are not immune from prosecution.

'New Laws Are Shilanyas Of Hindu Rashtra'

'New Laws Are Shilanyas Of Hindu Rashtra'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

'It will be difficult to challenge Hindutva anymore as the police will have the power to charge you as anti-national.'

Want a J-K where violence is history, stand by statehood promise: PM

Want a J-K where violence is history, stand by statehood promise: PM

Rediff.com20 May 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said his government has made a "solemn promise" for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and will stand by it, adding the Centre was working very hard to create the right conditions.

When will assembly polls be held in J-K? CEC says...

When will assembly polls be held in J-K? CEC says...

Rediff.com16 Mar 2024

All parties in Jammu and Kashmir said the assembly election should be held with the parliamentary polls, but the entire administrative machinery said it cannot be done simultaneously

Efforts to weaken India's progress must be stopped: Justice Datta on EVM row

Efforts to weaken India's progress must be stopped: Justice Datta on EVM row

Rediff.com26 Apr 2024

Writing his views in a separate verdict while concurring with the opinion of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who was heading the bench, Justice Datta said the question of reverting to "paper ballot system", on facts and in the circumstances, does not and cannot arise.

A Request To Fund Managers

A Request To Fund Managers

Rediff.com15 Jun 2024

Please promise, especially those millions who trust you with their hard-earned money, never to let your voting preferences determine your actions on the markets. The most appalling and scary phenomenon was fund houses and brokerages going out on election yatras and writing copious reports promising more than 300 for the BJP. That was your wish as voters. Your investors are paying for it now, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Kovind's report moots simultaneous LS, assembly polls as first step

Kovind's report moots simultaneous LS, assembly polls as first step

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

A high-level committee on Thursday recommended simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.

MSP, hiking 50% quota, VVPAT, no Agnipath: Congress rolls out manifesto

MSP, hiking 50% quota, VVPAT, no Agnipath: Congress rolls out manifesto

Rediff.com5 Apr 2024

Right to apprenticeship, legal guarantee for MSP, passing a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs, a nation-wide caste census and scrapping of Agnipath scheme are among the promises made by the Congress in its Lok Sabha polls manifesto released on Friday.

No SC relief for Hemant Soren; sent to 5-day ED remand

No SC relief for Hemant Soren; sent to 5-day ED remand

Rediff.com2 Feb 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with a plea of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in money laundering case.

Manipur is peaceful: India rejects UN experts' remark

Manipur is peaceful: India rejects UN experts' remark

Rediff.com5 Sep 2023

India has strongly rejected comments by United Nations experts on Manipur, terming them 'unwarranted, presumptive and misleading' and asserting that situation in the Northeast state is peaceful.

Delhi services bill: Tharoor says coercive federalism exists; Lekhi hits back

Delhi services bill: Tharoor says coercive federalism exists; Lekhi hits back

Rediff.com4 Aug 2023

Tharoor argued that the proposed bill represents a "grave chapter in the history of the Indian republic, seeking to ratify an ordinance that in many ways is an assault on our democratic heritage and the spirit of federalism."

How Vicks Vaporub Become A Blockbuster

How Vicks Vaporub Become A Blockbuster

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

Within six months, outlets carrying Vicks jumped from 60,000 pharmacies to 750,000 general stores. The trade boycott collapsed. Consumers were happy, finding Vicks now at every street corner. A fascinating excerpt from Gurcharan Das's Another Sort of Freedom.

Why we should be concerned about the Indian Army's future

Why we should be concerned about the Indian Army's future

Rediff.com2 Dec 2013

The army of the future needs a system of transparency and research. An open sociology of the army is a democratic necessity. An openness of information is a necessity of the army of the future fighting the next peace and next war on behalf of society, says social scientist Shiv Visvanathan.

SC quashes MediaOne telecast ban, says criticism not anti-establishment

SC quashes MediaOne telecast ban, says criticism not anti-establishment

Rediff.com5 Apr 2023

The Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the Centre's denial of security clearance to Malayalam news channel MediaOne, and pulled up the ministry of home affairs for raising national security claims in "thin air" without facts.

'Your order was unconstitutional': Stalin's scathing letter to Guv

'Your order was unconstitutional': Stalin's scathing letter to Guv

Rediff.com1 Jul 2023

While the Raj Bhavan had on Thursday night said it placed the unprecedented 'dismissal' order on hold, the DMK regime asserted it would pick an appropriate action plan to counter and fight the move against the minister by Ravi, even though he backtracked from it.

Chirag Paswan to campaign for BJP in Bihar bypolls

Chirag Paswan to campaign for BJP in Bihar bypolls

Rediff.com30 Oct 2022

In a shot in the arm for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar, Chirag Paswan on Sunday cast aside his ambivalence and announced that he will campaign for the saffron party in bypolls to two assembly segments in the state.