News for 'freedom of speech'

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.

'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.'

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.

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.

'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."

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.

'This Government Likes Parsis'

'This Government Likes Parsis'

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

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

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.

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'.

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.

Dhoni hails army amidst freedom of speech debate

Dhoni hails army amidst freedom of speech debate

Rediff.com21 Feb 2016

Amid continuing uproar on the issue of freedom of expression in the country, Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday called for respect to the armed forces, saying that the nation is in a position to debate because of the men in uniform. "As v have this debate on freedom of speech our forces r making sure v stay in position to keep debating," Dhoni wrote on his official Twitter handle. "Spl forces and commando unit's r normal ppl like u and me who r highly motivated and trained to put the interest of the nation before self," he added. Dhoni holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army.

Freedom of speech is most abused: SC on 'fake news' on Tablighis

Freedom of speech is most abused: SC on 'fake news' on Tablighis

Rediff.com8 Oct 2020

The apex court pulled up the Centre for its "evasive" and "brazen" affidavit on the issue.

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.

Fali Nariman on freedom of speech

Fali Nariman on freedom of speech

Rediff.com1 Oct 2007

According to Nariman, journalists should be fearless and expose corruption in judicial system if there is solid evidence to prove that.

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.

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.

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".'

Any speech against govt policy can't be seditious: SC judge

Any speech against govt policy can't be seditious: SC judge

Rediff.com9 Mar 2022

He also said that 'hate speech' which is mischief committed by a few individuals to promote hatred amongst groups is something which has to be taken note of and there was a proposal for amending the relevant sections in the Indian Penal Code which has not been done till now.

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.

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.

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.

God spared my life for a reason: Trump in victory speech

God spared my life for a reason: Trump in victory speech

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

Former US President Donald Trump addressed his supporters on Wednesday, thanking them for giving Republicans an unprecedented and powerful mandate, and said this moment will help the country "heal".

Understand satire, but...: Shinde on Kamra's 'gaddar' jab

Understand satire, but...: Shinde on Kamra's 'gaddar' jab

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

"This same person (Kamra) had commented on the Supreme Court of India, the Prime Minister, (journalist) Arnab Goswami and some industrialists. This is not freedom of speech; this is working for someone," Shinde said.

August 15, 1947: How I Celebrated Freedom

August 15, 1947: How I Celebrated Freedom

Rediff.com15 Aug 2023

'We were children and could not distinguish freedom from bondage, but we could understand that a momentous and happy event was imminent.'

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.

'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.'

Influencer Sharmistha Panoli gets bail, police protection

Influencer Sharmistha Panoli gets bail, police protection

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

The Calcutta high court on Thursday granted interim bail to social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli, who was arrested by the Kolkata police for allegedly uploading a video with communal comments.

Hafiz Saeed's JuD claims involvement in ousting Hasina

Hafiz Saeed's JuD claims involvement in ousting Hasina

Rediff.com31 May 2025

Some leaders of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed have claimed that their outfit played a role in last year's mass anti-government protests in Bangladesh that led to the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Support for Pak alone without India mention not an offence under BNS: HC

Support for Pak alone without India mention not an offence under BNS: HC

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that merely expressing support for Pakistan, without any disrespect towards India, does not constitute an offence under section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Lawyer withdraws 'threat to Rahul Gandhi's life' plea

Lawyer withdraws 'threat to Rahul Gandhi's life' plea

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's lawyer on Thursday withdrew from a Pune court the plea claiming apprehension of threat to the parliamentarian from followers of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

Oppn candidate Reddy urges MPs to vote with conscience in VP polls

Oppn candidate Reddy urges MPs to vote with conscience in VP polls

Rediff.com7 Sep 2025

Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy appeals to MPs to vote with conscience in the upcoming vice presidential polls, urging them to prioritize the spirit of India and parliamentary traditions over party loyalty.

Order blocking YouTube channel '4PM' withdrawn, SC told

Order blocking YouTube channel '4PM' withdrawn, SC told

Rediff.com13 May 2025

The plea claimed the blocking was effected by the intermediary pursuant to an undisclosed direction allegedly issued by the Centre citing vague grounds of "national security" and "public order".

SC to hear arrested Ashoka univ prof's plea in 2 days

SC to hear arrested Ashoka univ prof's plea in 2 days

Rediff.com19 May 2025

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea of Ashoka University's political science department head Ali Khan Mahmudabad challenging his arrest for social media posts related to Operation Sindoor.

Bharat ka Samvidhan is not...: Priyanka slams BJP in maiden LS speech

Bharat ka Samvidhan is not...: Priyanka slams BJP in maiden LS speech

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on the BJP in her maiden Lok Sabha speech, accusing the government of trying to weaken the Constitution and prioritizing the interests of one individual over the people. She criticized the BJP's alleged attempts to change the Constitution, the growing monopoly of the Adani Group, atrocities on women, and the demand for a nationwide caste census. She also challenged the BJP to hold elections using ballot paper, saying it would expose the reality.

Court quashes order to take down articles against Adani

Court quashes order to take down articles against Adani

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

A Delhi court has set aside an order asking four journalists to take down alleged defamatory content against Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), saying the effect of removal of the articles by an ad interim ex parte order was 'sweeping' and it had the 'effect of decreeing the suit itself without a trial'.

When Trump, Modi or I talk...: Italian PM Meloni slams Left

When Trump, Modi or I talk...: Italian PM Meloni slams Left

Rediff.com23 Feb 2025

Lending her support to Donald Trump's leadership prowess, the Italian PM said that the Left Wing is nervous about leaders from conservative parties winning and collaborating globally.

We can't do what China does: Rahul Gandhi in Colombia

We can't do what China does: Rahul Gandhi in Colombia

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said the 'wholesale attack on the democratic system' currently underway in India is the single biggest risk the country is facing, and asserted that allowing different traditions to thrive is very important as 'we cannot do what China does, which is to run an authoritarian system'. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: / Rediff.com Speaking at a seminar titled 'The Future is Today' at the EIA University in Medellin, Colombia, Gandhi also alleged that there are 'huge amounts of corruption at a centralised level' in India now. "In India, we have huge amounts of corruption now at a very centralised level. So, three or four businesses taking over the whole economy, having a direct relationship with the prime minister, is rampant in India," the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said. "But I believe decentralising power, making things more transparent, bringing people into conversations, and bringing people into processes is the best way forward," Gandhi said while addressing the seminar on Wednesday. Hitting back at the Congress leader for his remarks, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday accused Gandhi of insulting and degrading India on foreign soil. Posting a video clip of Gandhi's speech on X, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, 'Rahul Gandhi does it again, degrades India on foreign soil. From defaming our democracy in London, to mocking our institutions in the US, now in Colombia he spares no chance to insult Bharat globally.' 'This isn't dissent. It's disgrace to the fake Gandhi. Criticising BJP may be your right but dare you malign Mother India for your cheap and petty politics,' Bhatia said. Speaking at the seminar, Gandhi said India has a much more complex system as compared to China and its strengths are very different from that of the neighbouring country. India also has a very old spiritual tradition and a thought system with profound ideas that are useful in today's world, he said, adding that there is a lot that the country can offer in terms of tradition and way of thinking. "I am very optimistic about India, but at the same time, there are fault lines within the Indian structure. There are risks that India has to overcome. The single-biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India," the Leader of Opposition said. "India has multiple religions, traditions and languages. India is actually a conversation between all its people. Different ideas, religions and traditions require space. The best method for creating that space is the democratic system," he said. "Currently, there is a wholesale attack on the democratic system in India, so that is a risk. The other big risk is different conceptions -- some 16-17 different languages, different religions... So, allowing these different traditions to thrive, and giving them space to express themselves is very important for a country like India.