News for 'free speech'

South Korean President declares emergency amid political crisis

South Korean President declares emergency amid political crisis

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

South Korean declared an 'emergency martial law' on Tuesday with President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing the opposition of plotting an 'insurgency' and 'trying to overthrow the free democracy' in the country, as reported by the New York Times.

Kangana and Vir Das have every right to their opinions

Kangana and Vir Das have every right to their opinions

Rediff.com7 Dec 2021

By sacrificing an important component of the right to free speech, we have strengthened the hands of the fundamentalists, the bigots and the publicity-seeking goondas. And of the hate-filled political establishment, points out Vir Sanghvi.

Are we not creating class of parasites? SC slams poll freebies

Are we not creating class of parasites? SC slams poll freebies

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

The Supreme Court on Wednesday deprecated the practice of announcing freebies prior to elections, and said people were not willing to work as they were getting free ration and money.

India's BPO Industry Gets AI Makeover

India's BPO Industry Gets AI Makeover

Rediff.com29 May 2025

Call centres, once the engine room of India's BPO exports, are evolving too. Depending on the complexity, 30 to 50 per cent of voice and chat volumes are now handled by conversational AI.

Nothing wrong in wishing Pakistan on I-Day: SC

Nothing wrong in wishing Pakistan on I-Day: SC

Rediff.com8 Mar 2024

'Now, the time has come to enlighten and educate our police machinery on the concept of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and the extent of reasonable restraint on their free speech and expression'

Operation Sindoor: The Precision Of Surprise

Operation Sindoor: The Precision Of Surprise

Rediff.com16 May 2025

'You can be sure that the Pakistanis knew when the Indian Air Force aircraft took off, which type these were, and what their likely targets were.' 'The question was: How would they determine that the IAF wanted to fire, and when to bounce them?', notes Shekhar Gupta.

The Curious Case Of Miley's Missing Eyebrows

The Curious Case Of Miley's Missing Eyebrows

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Hollywood's biggest night was high on glitz and glamour but lacked the edge and excitement of the movies it was celebrating, observes Sukanya Verma.

India, China draw closer amid Trump's tariff war

India, China draw closer amid Trump's tariff war

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday pledged to strengthen the strategic relationships with neighbouring countries by 'appropriately' managing differences and enhancing supply chain ties as China's tariff war with the United States escalated.

'Work does not disappear due to technology'

'Work does not disappear due to technology'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

'Its nature changes, new types of jobs are created.' 'We need to invest in skilling and re-skilling our people for an AI-driven future,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his opening speech at the AI Action Summit in Paris, co-hosted by India.

Nothing in speech caused religious animosity: Sharjeel to HC

Nothing in speech caused religious animosity: Sharjeel to HC

Rediff.com1 Dec 2021

During the proceedings, counsel for Imam said, "From the impugned speech, there is nothing which per se causes any kind of religious animosity. We cannot lose sight of the context. What Sharjeel Imam says, in relation to CAA-NRC, is that in much as it affects one community directly, what kind of support is to be elicited from the majority community."

Women We Admire: Anandibai Gopal Joshi

Women We Admire: Anandibai Gopal Joshi

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

This Women's Day week, we salute India's first female doctor, Anandibai Gopal Joshi. Her achievement opened the gates of freedom and liberty for India's women.

'Prepare Without Worrying About Pressure'

'Prepare Without Worrying About Pressure'

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

'During a match, there is a lot of noise from the stadium -- cheers for sixes and fours -- but the batter focuses on the ball, not the pressure.' 'If you don't take pressure and focus on your duty, you can overcome stress easily.'

Opposition decries PM's I-Day address as 'crass election speech'

Opposition decries PM's I-Day address as 'crass election speech'

Rediff.com15 Aug 2023

'To summarise, PM Modi's failures in the last nine years can be categorised under 'durniti' (bad policies), 'anyay' (injustice) and - perhaps most importantly - 'badniyat' (ill intention)'

Will make Maldives free of foreign military presence: New Prez Muizzu

Will make Maldives free of foreign military presence: New Prez Muizzu

Rediff.com17 Nov 2023

Vouching for preserving its independence and sovereignty, Muizzu made a firm commitment to ensure that the Maldives remains "free of any foreign military presence."

Calls to free Binayak Sen grow overseas

Calls to free Binayak Sen grow overseas

Rediff.com28 Jan 2011

A broad coalition of 55 civil society groups from the US, Britain and Canada are coming together to demand the immediate release of jailed Indian rights activist Binayak Sen, who was recently given a life sentence by a Chhattisgarh court.

Modi surname case: SC to hear Rahul's plea on July 21

Modi surname case: SC to hear Rahul's plea on July 21

Rediff.com18 Jul 2023

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Mishra agreed to hear the plea after senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, sought listing of the appeal on July 21 or July 24.

'India Should Hit Pakistan Army Targets'

'India Should Hit Pakistan Army Targets'

Rediff.com11 May 2025

'There's something called deterrence by punishment.' 'That means you hit in a manner calculated to raise costs and consequences for Pakistan, so that the next time it attempts a Pahalgam-like attack, it has to think ten times.'

Hindus blamed for wrong policies of 'royal family': Modi slams Cong in RS

Hindus blamed for wrong policies of 'royal family': Modi slams Cong in RS

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accused the Congress of practicing appeasement politics, saying the party's priority was "family first." He asserted that the BJP-led government operates on the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (development for all) and prioritizes "nation first." Modi further criticized the Congress's approach to reservations, claiming it was aimed at creating divisions within the country. He highlighted the BJP's initiatives to empower marginalized communities, including the constitutional status to the OBC commission and the introduction of 10% reservation for economically backward groups.

Rekha Gupta takes charge of Delhi after grand swearing-in

Rekha Gupta takes charge of Delhi after grand swearing-in

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Debutant legislator Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi chief minister along with six ministers on Thursday in a grand show of strength full of colour and spectacle to mark the Bharatiya Janata Party's return to power in the city after more than 26 years.

Are you free to express your thoughts in your country?

Are you free to express your thoughts in your country?

Rediff.com24 Nov 2016

The above map explains the freedom of expression index for each country. United States, Poland and Spain are in the first three places with 5.73, 5.66 and 5.62 as their scores respectively

HC relief for Union minister Shobha Karandlaje over cafe blast remarks

HC relief for Union minister Shobha Karandlaje over cafe blast remarks

Rediff.com22 Mar 2024

Justice Krishna S Dixit, presiding over a single judge bench, issued notice to the parties concerned and paused the ongoing investigation.

What If China, America Make Up?

What If China, America Make Up?

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Trump spoke approvingly of his recent telephone conversation with Xi Jinping. This could indicate the possibility of America and China reaching some level of tactical accommodation, which would not be good news for India, points out Ambassador Shyam Saran, a former foreign secretary.

Despite warning, JNU students screen BBC documentary on Modi

Despite warning, JNU students screen BBC documentary on Modi

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

Students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) defied an advisory from the university administration and screened a banned BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The screening, organized by the Left-backed All India Students' Federation (AISF), was initially planned to be displayed on a projector but was moved to a laptop after security personnel allegedly damaged the projector. The university had warned of disciplinary measures for violating the advisory, which stated that the documentary could "disrupt communal harmony" on campus. The AISF and the JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) condemned the advisory, calling it an attack on students' fundamental rights and alleging that the administration was attempting to stifle dissent and curb freedom of expression.

Microaggression: Does Your Boss Do This?

Microaggression: Does Your Boss Do This?

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Microaggressions may be subtle but their impact is deep. If ignored, they can lower morale, stifle diversity and hold people back, says Shruti Swaroop.

Health budget up by 11%, daycare cancer centres announced

Health budget up by 11%, daycare cancer centres announced

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

The Union health ministry has been allocated Rs 99,858.56 crore in the Budget 2025-2026, an around 11 per cent hike over the Rs 89,974.12 crore in the budget (revised estimates) of 2024-2025 with the government announcing setting up daycare cancer centres at all district hospitals over the next three years.

2-judge bench divided over IT rules on fake news, 3rd judge to hear matter

2-judge bench divided over IT rules on fake news, 3rd judge to hear matter

Rediff.com31 Jan 2024

A division bench of the Bombay high court on Wednesday delivered a split verdict on a bunch of petitions challenging the amended Information Technology (IT) Rules dealing with fake news against the government on social media.

Transition of Kapil Mishra: From BJP, Modi critic to Delhi minister

Transition of Kapil Mishra: From BJP, Modi critic to Delhi minister

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Kapil Mishra, a former AAP member and a vocal critic of the BJP, RSS, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has undergone a complete political transformation, becoming a controversial figure often regarded as the "posterboy of Hindutva." He has now been inducted as a minister in the newly formed Delhi government, marking a significant shift in his political allegiance and raising questions about his role in shaping the city's future.

New Bill May Throttle OTT

New Bill May Throttle OTT

Rediff.com7 Dec 2023

'Subjecting each such creative content to scrutiny will impose burdens on the OTT platforms and impact user experience.'

Budget 2025: What states want from Sitharaman

Budget 2025: What states want from Sitharaman

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

Finance ministers of states demanded an increase in allocation under 50-year interest-free loan scheme, while fiscally stressed states like Punjab and Kerala pitched for a special package and borrowing flexibility, sources said on Friday. In a pre-budget meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, states have also urged for higher borrowing limits to support fiscal activities, besides additional funds for Jal Jeevan Mission.

SC relief for TN YouTuber over interview cases

SC relief for TN YouTuber over interview cases

Rediff.com14 Aug 2024

The bench not only issued notices to the state government and its police authorities, but also stayed the coercive proceedings against Shankar.

Budget focuses on domestic consumption amid global uncertainties

Budget focuses on domestic consumption amid global uncertainties

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

The Budget 2025-26 meets the expectations of fiscal consolidation, maintaining capital expenditure, and boosting consumption through tax cuts.

Who will 'fact check' Modi govt?: Congress on new IT rules

Who will 'fact check' Modi govt?: Congress on new IT rules

Rediff.com19 Jan 2023

"Muzzling the Internet and censoring online content through PIB is the Modi government's definition of 'fact checking'," Pawan Khera alleged.

Midnight decision disrespectful: Rahul on CEC appointment

Midnight decision disrespectful: Rahul on CEC appointment

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the government's decision to appoint Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in the middle of the night, arguing that it is "disrespectful" and "discourteous" given the ongoing Supreme Court challenge to the selection process. Gandhi presented a dissent note to the selection committee, stating that the process violates the Supreme Court order and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.

Trump vows tariffs on nations that 'harm' US; names India, China

Trump vows tariffs on nations that 'harm' US; names India, China

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Earlier, Trump has already talked about slapping "100 per cent tariffs" on the BRICS grouping, a bloc that includes India as well.

Centre doubles Mudra loan ceiling to Rs 20 lakh under new category

Centre doubles Mudra loan ceiling to Rs 20 lakh under new category

Rediff.com28 Oct 2024

The government on Friday doubled the limit of Mudra loan amount under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh under a new 'Tarun Plus' category to promote entrepreneurship in the country.

'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.'

Budget 2025: UDAN scheme modified to connect 120 new destinations

Budget 2025: UDAN scheme modified to connect 120 new destinations

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

To tap Indian civil aviation market's growth potential, the government on Saturday announced a modified regional air connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) to connect 120 new destinations, airport projects in Bihar and upgradation of infrastructure for air cargo in the Union Budget.

HC orders Cong leaders to remove posts against Rajat Sharma

HC orders Cong leaders to remove posts against Rajat Sharma

Rediff.com15 Jun 2024

The Delhi high court has ordered removal of social media posts by Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera and Ragini Nayak alleging that veteran journalist Rajat Sharma used 'abusive language' during his show on the Lok Sabha election result day.

Modi's longest Parliament speech pressed all the right buttons

Modi's longest Parliament speech pressed all the right buttons

Rediff.com10 Aug 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday slammed the opposition alliance INDIA as a collection of arrogant dynasties who will take India back by two centuries as he exuded confidence that people will bless the "garib ka beta" with a record-breaking mandate in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Is J D Vance The Right Choice By Trump?

Is J D Vance The Right Choice By Trump?

Rediff.com19 Jul 2024

This is the guy who might be one feeble, McDonald's-fueled heartbeat from the presidency, notes Sree Sreenivasan.