News for 'freedom of speech'

Ranas' speech crossed the freedom of speech line but no sedition: Court

Ranas' speech crossed the freedom of speech line but no sedition: Court

Rediff.com6 May 2022

Member of Parliament Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana have "undoubtedly crossed the line of freedom of speech" guaranteed under the Constitution, but mere expression of derogatory or objectionable words may not be a sufficient ground for invoking the charge of sedition against them, a special court in Mumbai has said.

Assam govt tables inquiry report on 1983 Nellie massacre

Assam govt tables inquiry report on 1983 Nellie massacre

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

The Assam government on Tuesday distributed the report of the Tewary Commission, which had probed into the 1983 Nellie massacre during which over 2,000 people were killed, and large-scale violence that year, in the Assembly on first day of Winter Session.

From 1905 cry to Modi's 'Vocal for Local': NCERT's new Swadeshi lessons

From 1905 cry to Modi's 'Vocal for Local': NCERT's new Swadeshi lessons

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

Two modules published by the NCERT, Swadeshi: Vocal for Local (for middle stage) and Swadeshi: For a Self-Reliant India (for secondary stage), carry excerpts from the prime minister's Independence Day address in which he stressed that self-reliance would drive India's journey towards a Viksit Bharat.

Why Is Media Silent On Kashmir Times?

Why Is Media Silent On Kashmir Times?

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

It is shameful that Kashmir Times has been attacked in the way it has and that Anuradha Bhasin has not found more voices to speak in support of her and her paper, points out Aakar Patel.

BJP committing 'big sin': Priyanka on Vande Mataram row

BJP committing 'big sin': Priyanka on Vande Mataram row

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

In a measured but scathing attack, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of committing a 'big sin' by creating a controversy over Vande Mataram and claimed that the government pushed for a debate on the national song as the West Bengal assembly polls were approaching.

Nehru Should Have Retired In 1957

Nehru Should Have Retired In 1957

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

...a time when his legacy ledger was still positive and before the debacle against China. With every subsequent election, our leaders tend to become weaker. India should consider passing a law that no person should hold the highest office in our country for more than two terms, points out Harishchandra.

India lambasts US report on religious freedom

India lambasts US report on religious freedom

Rediff.com28 Jun 2024

In an unusually hard-hitting response to criticism against it in a United States government report on religious freedom, India on Friday described the findings as 'deeply biased', visibly driven by 'votebank' considerations and a mix of imputations and selective usage of facts.

Delhi HC cautions social media users

Delhi HC cautions social media users

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

The Delhi High Court cautioned social media users about responsible content creation, especially those with large audiences, while granting bail to actor Ajaz Khan in a case involving sexually explicit remarks.

'The Key Is Talent, Technology, Trust'

'The Key Is Talent, Technology, Trust'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

'Our problem is not a budget deficit but a trust deficit. We need to trust our institutions and industries to innovate and lead. That is the way forward for India.'

Constitution balances freedom of speech with curbs: CJI

Constitution balances freedom of speech with curbs: CJI

Rediff.com26 Nov 2020

Chief Justice of India S A Bobde on Thursday said that nothing is conferred as right of freedom of speech in 'absolute and untrammelled terms' and the framers of the Constitution have struck a resilient balance between liberty and the rights and conditions on which the states can deny it.

SC grants protection to scribe in case booked in Assam

SC grants protection to scribe in case booked in Assam

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has granted interim protection to journalist Abhisar Sharma in an FIR lodged against him in Assam over a video post allegedly criticising the state's policies.

Modi's Message In A Battle For The Congress

Modi's Message In A Battle For The Congress

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

The Congress's performance in the Lok Sabha elections showed that it may be down but not out, and Modi is determined to ensure that in the next round in 2029, it is consigned to irrelevance, points out Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Why The Congress Has Rediscovered Sitaram Kesri

Why The Congress Has Rediscovered Sitaram Kesri

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

It was significant that the ceremony took place at 24, Akbar Road, the party's former national headquarters, and not at its new office in Kotla Road.

Increase in hate speech against minorities in India concerning: US

Increase in hate speech against minorities in India concerning: US

Rediff.com27 Jun 2024

India has previously rejected the US state department's annual human rights report on the country, saying they continue to be based on "misinformation and flawed understanding".

Whenever foreign ideologies came to India...: RSS chief

Whenever foreign ideologies came to India...: RSS chief

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

He said terrorists crossed the border and killed 26 Indians after checking their religion in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, which drew a fitting response from the country, referring to Operation Sindoor.

'Our mothers had it much easier': Twinkle Khanna

'Our mothers had it much easier': Twinkle Khanna

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

Today, says Twinkle Khanna, motherhood is very different. "You're like a psychologist, you're their trainer, you're the nutritionist, you're seeing how many carbs they're eating, how many vitamins they're having, you're their chef, you're an educator and you are also their screen monitor. And you still have to make the hair along with that."

Uttam's Take: Two kinds of Freedom of Speech

Uttam's Take: Two kinds of Freedom of Speech

Rediff.com1 Sep 2020

Uttam Ghosh offers his take on these contrasting images of Freedom of Speech that exists in our great land.

'Vague and broad': SC seeks UP's response to plea against conversion law

'Vague and broad': SC seeks UP's response to plea against conversion law

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

The Supreme Court has sought the Uttar Pradesh government's response on a plea challenging certain provisions of the 2024 amended UP law on unlawful religious conversion, citing concerns about free speech and religious propagation.

Modi, RSS cartoons: SC to hear cartoonist's bail plea

Modi, RSS cartoons: SC to hear cartoonist's bail plea

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the anticipatory bail plea of a cartoonist accused of uploading objectionable cartoons of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS workers on social media. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had previously refused to grant him relief, observing it was a gross misuse of freedom of speech.

CBFC cuts beef biryani scene from Malayalam movie

CBFC cuts beef biryani scene from Malayalam movie

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has directed the removal of several scenes, including those depicting the eating of beef biriyani and dialogues on 'dhwaj pranam', from the upcoming Malayalam movie Haal starring Shine Nigam.

Malicious falsehood cannot become freedom of speech: Delhi HC

Malicious falsehood cannot become freedom of speech: Delhi HC

Rediff.com17 Feb 2022

The Delhi high court has said that malicious falsehood cannot become freedom of speech and directed the competitor of a coaching institute to take down portions of its YouTube video alleging falsities against the rival.

J-K police raid bookshops after ban on 25 titles for glorifying terrorism

J-K police raid bookshops after ban on 25 titles for glorifying terrorism

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

Police conduct raids at bookshops in Kashmir to seize banned books promoting false narratives and glorifying terrorism, following a government order. The ban and subsequent raids have drawn criticism from authors and political leaders.

SC asks poll panel to respond to parties' pleas on SIR in 2 weeks

SC asks poll panel to respond to parties' pleas on SIR in 2 weeks

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has requested the Election Commission to respond to petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The court has also asked the Madras and Calcutta High Courts to keep proceedings on similar petitions in abeyance.

'This Government Likes Parsis'

'This Government Likes Parsis'

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

'Parsis are inclined towards people who work for the welfare of others.'

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'Non-compatible with Western Civilization' is about as vague and jingoistic as it gets and Trump saying this gives full license to his acolytes to go full throttle on making life as difficult and scary as possible for as many non-white people as possible,' notes Sree Sreenivasan.

Denied bail in 2020 riots case, Sharjeel Imam moves SC

Denied bail in 2020 riots case, Sharjeel Imam moves SC

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

Activist Sharjeel Imam has moved the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order denying him bail in a case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. The High Court had denied bail to several individuals, emphasizing that conspiratorial violence under the guise of protests cannot be allowed.

BJP wants to 'turn West Bengal into its colony': Mamata

BJP wants to 'turn West Bengal into its colony': Mamata

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP-led Union government of compromising India's prestige before foreign powers, alleging a 'dictatorial mindset' and attempts to turn West Bengal into a 'colony'.

US reacts cautiously on Pope's freedom of speech remark

US reacts cautiously on Pope's freedom of speech remark

Rediff.com16 Jan 2015

The United States has reacted cautiously to the statement made by the Pope Francis on freedom of speech, who had said such rights entail limits and that other people's religion could not be insulted or mocked.

When A Mom Was Murdered: The Story Behind The Film

When A Mom Was Murdered: The Story Behind The Film

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

'There have been multiple cases of people being shot for pulling into someone's driveway because they made a wrong turn or ringing the wrong bell because they made a mistake.' 'That is also the pathway to fascism.' 'The way you divide people is to make them fear each other. Then a strong man can come in and say, "I will protect you".'

Mahatma Gandhi described RSS as communal, totalitarian: Cong

Mahatma Gandhi described RSS as communal, totalitarian: Cong

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

The Congress party launched a scathing attack on the RSS on its 100th anniversary, citing excerpts from a book claiming Mahatma Gandhi described the Sangh as a "communal body with a totalitarian outlook." The party also referenced Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's criticism of the RSS.

Selective expunction defies logic: Rahul asks Speaker to restore LS speech

Selective expunction defies logic: Rahul asks Speaker to restore LS speech

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

Gandhi's remarks drew massive protests from the treasury benches and a rare intervention from the prime minister, who slammed the Congress leader for calling the entire Hindu community violent.

Nepal PM KP Oli resigns amid violent protests

Nepal PM KP Oli resigns amid violent protests

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Oli stepped down shortly after hundreds of demonstrators entered his office shouting anti-government slogans.

The Dangerous Reality Behind Maharashtra's 'Urban Naxal' Law

The Dangerous Reality Behind Maharashtra's 'Urban Naxal' Law

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

'The law under the guise of security represents a grave and unnecessary expansion of State power at the cost of fundamental rights,' asserts Aakar Patel.

Brazil responds to Trump's 50% tariff with 'Reciprocity Law'

Brazil responds to Trump's 50% tariff with 'Reciprocity Law'

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday (local time) issued a firm response to United States President Donald Trump's announcement of a 50 per cent tariff on Brazil by invoking the country's 'Economic Reciprocity Law', while asserting Brazil's sovereignty and rejecting 'any form of tutelage' in what he described as Trump's attempts to interfere in the country's internal judicial affairs.

Gandhi Called Him 'Father Of The Nation'

Gandhi Called Him 'Father Of The Nation'

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

On his 200th birth anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra traces the life, thought, and legacy of Dadabhai Naoroji, the Grand Old Man of India.

'Fans Threaten Me And Say...'

'Fans Threaten Me And Say...'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

'...and say that if I don't wear a sari, they will unfollow me.' 'Today, if I have 2.9 million followers on Instagram, out of that, the majority is from the South.' 'Telugu has given me the most fame and money.'

Freedom of speech, expression not absolute rights: Bombay HC

Freedom of speech, expression not absolute rights: Bombay HC

Rediff.com11 Sep 2020

The court made the observation while refusing to grant interim protection from arrest to a woman booked by the Mumbai and Palghar police for allegedly making offensive remarks on Twitter against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya Thackeray.

SC initiates contempt against YouTuber over remarks against judges

SC initiates contempt against YouTuber over remarks against judges

Rediff.com30 May 2025

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Augustine George Masih and AS Chandurkar also directed that the offending video be immediately taken down and restrained the YouTube channel from republishing it or similar content.

Modi invokes Emergency in Rajya Sabha speech, Opposition walks out

Modi invokes Emergency in Rajya Sabha speech, Opposition walks out

Rediff.com3 Jul 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday took the Congress to the cleaners over making the 2024 general elections about the protection of the Constitution, saying Indians voted on the plank only once when they threw out the Indira Gandhi government in 1977 after the Emergency.

Whole country now knows...: Rahul mounts attack on EC in Bihar rally

Whole country now knows...: Rahul mounts attack on EC in Bihar rally

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

Gandhi alleged that assembly and Lok Sabha polls were being "stolen" across the country and there was a "conspiracy" in Bihar to do the same through the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.