News for 'identity politics'

Bhagwat's Haldighati Claim Diminishes History

Bhagwat's Haldighati Claim Diminishes History

Rediff.com7 days ago

Maharana Pratap became a hero not because he won a battle, but because he continued fighting after he lost one, asserts Harishchandra.

Sreelekha Denies Revealing Rape Victim's Identity, Claims 'Character Assassination' Attempt

Sreelekha Denies Revealing Rape Victim's Identity, Claims 'Character Assassination' Attempt

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

BJP councillor and former Kerala DGP R Sreelekha denies allegations of revealing the identity of a rape victim, claiming the complaint is a 'character assassination' attempt. She asserts that the POCSO Act does not apply in this case, as the victim was not a minor.

Kerala assembly election results an example of communal harmony: Tharoor

Kerala assembly election results an example of communal harmony: Tharoor

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor cited the Kerala Assembly election results as an example of communal harmony, highlighting instances where voters looked beyond caste and religion.

Kerala Win, Assam Loss Exposes Congress Crisis

Kerala Win, Assam Loss Exposes Congress Crisis

Rediff.com7 May 2026

If current trends persist, the Congress risks becoming increasingly regionally concentrated, dependent on a handful of states rather than functioning as a truly pan-India political force.

'Bihar May Follow Gujarat Template'

'Bihar May Follow Gujarat Template'

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

'Samrat Chaudhury's limited independent standing within the party, his reliance on the central leadership for his elevation, and his lack of a personal mass base all point toward this outcome.'

Satheesan justifies use of caste surname at swearing-in

Satheesan justifies use of caste surname at swearing-in

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan defended his use of the caste surname "Menon" during his swearing-in ceremony, saying he had only mentioned his father's name and saw nothing wrong in doing so on such an occasion.

Mamata reaches out to rebels to save TMC from historic split

Mamata reaches out to rebels to save TMC from historic split

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

Mamata Banerjee is actively trying to prevent further defections from the TMC after a significant split, personally contacting rebel MLAs and deploying MPs for damage control. The crisis, stemming from a challenge to Abhishek Banerjee's influence, sees rebels trying to maintain Mamata's symbolic leadership while consolidating their own position, marking a critical period for the party's future.

Satheesan's use of caste surname during swearing-in sparks row

Satheesan's use of caste surname during swearing-in sparks row

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan faces criticism for using his caste surname 'Menon' during his swearing-in ceremony, igniting a debate on caste identity and political messaging.

World Cup reignites complex emotions among Iranian-Americans

World Cup reignites complex emotions among Iranian-Americans

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Iran's World Cup campaign has left many Iranian-Americans torn between supporting Team Melli and opposing the country's leadership, highlighting deep divisions within Los Angeles' influential Iranian diaspora.

Termites Damage Over Rs 1 Lakh In Kolkata College Union Room

Termites Damage Over Rs 1 Lakh In Kolkata College Union Room

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

Over Rs one lakh in currency notes damaged by termites was recovered from two suitcases in a college union room in Central Kolkata, prompting a police probe.

Gullak Season 5 Review: Still Very Likeable

Gullak Season 5 Review: Still Very Likeable

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

TVF's popular family series, Gullak, returns for a fifth season, offering a refreshing contrast to crime shows with its focus on the mundane crises of the Mishra family, who navigate new challenges like home renovations, Wi-Fi installation, and the arrival of opinionated relatives.

TMC's existential crisis: Can Mamata Banerjee's party survive the internal rebellion?

TMC's existential crisis: Can Mamata Banerjee's party survive the internal rebellion?

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

A month after losing power in West Bengal and facing a rebellion by 58 MLAs, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) confronts an unprecedented challenge to Mamata Banerjee's absolute authority, raising questions about the party's survival and future.

ISI asks J-K OGWs to infiltrate national parties to evade crackdown

ISI asks J-K OGWs to infiltrate national parties to evade crackdown

Rediff.com31 May 2026

Pakistan's ISI is reportedly pushing its network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in Jammu and Kashmir to infiltrate mainstream national political parties to evade security crackdowns and investigations. The ISI is also attempting to revive dormant, locally-founded terror outfits to give an 'indigenous colour' to terrorist violence and mask Pakistan's direct involvement.

'1.38L CCTVs, 51k jammers': Over 2.8L students to take NEET re-exam amid tight security

'1.38L CCTVs, 51k jammers': Over 2.8L students to take NEET re-exam amid tight security

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has implemented extensive security and logistical arrangements, including AI-based CCTV monitoring, biometric verification, and police escorts, to ensure the smooth, secure, and transparent conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.

Dhurandhar And The Politics Of Storytelling

Dhurandhar And The Politics Of Storytelling

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

The Dhurandhar movies will undoubtedly shape the minds of the audience much more than news reports, court investigations, books and documentaries. But it is worth remembering that Pakistan's irridentist claims against India's national security have succeeded due to strategic planning, diplomacy, and the unsung heroines and heroes across government agencies, not due to a single maverick leader, points out Shweta Desai.But it is worth to remember that Pakistan's irredentist claims against India's national security have succeeded due to strategic planning, diplomacy, and the unsung heroines and heroes across government agencies -- not a single maverick, points out Shweta Desai.

West Bengal Polls: Mamata Banerjee Can't Underestimate BJP

West Bengal Polls: Mamata Banerjee Can't Underestimate BJP

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

This election is different. It is no longer simply about governance or welfare. It is about identity, fear, and who belongs. The BJP has successfully shifted the terms of the debate from what the government has delivered to who the real Bengali is and who is an outsider, points out Ramesh Menon.

Left parties face existential crisis after Kerala drubbing

Left parties face existential crisis after Kerala drubbing

Rediff.com5 May 2026

The Left Democratic Front's defeat in Kerala marks a historic moment as Left parties are without power in any state for the first time in decades, highlighting their diminishing political influence across India.

BJP's 'Operation Lotus' has failed: TMC's Kirti Azad

BJP's 'Operation Lotus' has failed: TMC's Kirti Azad

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad has accused the BJP of orchestrating 'Operation Lotus' to induce defections from the Mamata Banerjee-led party, citing recent resignations and meetings of dissident MPs as evidence of an organised attempt to weaken the TMC.

Protests in PoK intensify amid crackdown

Protests in PoK intensify amid crackdown

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Shops and markets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir remained closed following a protest call by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), amidst reports of over 20 deaths in recent police action. The JAAC, now outlawed, is demanding subsidised flour and electricity, and the abolition of "refugee seats." Authorities have offered a reward for the arrest of JAAC leaders, while the PoK "Prime Minister" has called for negotiations.

Australia's African diaspora takes centre stage at World Cup

Australia's African diaspora takes centre stage at World Cup

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Born in African refugee camps and raised in Australia, Mohamed Toure, Nestory Irankunda and Awer Mabil are carrying the Socceroos' World Cup hopes while showcasing the nation's increasingly diverse football identity.

How delimitation helped BJP sweep Assam

How delimitation helped BJP sweep Assam

Rediff.com5 May 2026

The delimitation of constituencies, which aimed to reduce the influence of minority candidates, is a significant factor in the NDA's strong performance in the Assam elections, where they secured a record 102 seats. The 2023 delimitation exercise redrew constituencies, reserving some Muslim-majority seats for indigenous communities, which increased the BJP and its allies' seat count.

Absence of many MLAs at TMC's protest triggers chatter

Absence of many MLAs at TMC's protest triggers chatter

Rediff.com20 May 2026

The absence of many TMC legislators from a major protest programme has triggered political chatter, raising questions about the party's unity and ability to transition into an effective opposition after its recent electoral defeat in West Bengal.

Peddi Review: Ram Charan's Aura-Show In A Messy Sports Drama

Peddi Review: Ram Charan's Aura-Show In A Messy Sports Drama

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Peddi buries its powerful story about caste identity and social inequality beneath hero worship, regressive romance and exhausting excesses bemoans Sreeju Sudhakaran.

Gaurav Gogoi: 'There's A Growing Fatigue With Divisive Politics'

Gaurav Gogoi: 'There's A Growing Fatigue With Divisive Politics'

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

'Never before has the Congress been part of a rainbow coalition, and the response from the people has been overwhelming.' 'Assam's diversity cannot be represented by a single voice -- it requires a collective effort, and that is what we are building.'

Why India-China Border Dispute Remains Unresolved

Why India-China Border Dispute Remains Unresolved

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

While tensions have eased at several friction points and mechanisms for managing the boundary have been reactivated, underlying differences persist. Disputes over naming practices in Arunachal Pradesh, continued infrastructure development on both sides, and unresolved questions regarding patrolling rights indicate that the structural gap remains, notes Dr Kumar.

'Bengali Nationalism May Help Mamata Banerjee Retain Power'

'Bengali Nationalism May Help Mamata Banerjee Retain Power'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2026

'If the BJP becomes our political identity, our political face, if we are represented by the BJP, then what happens to our identity as Bengalis?'

'Real Issue Is Land, Not Religion In Assam'

'Real Issue Is Land, Not Religion In Assam'

Rediff.com5 May 2026

'The real fault line in Assam is not Hindu versus Muslim. It is Assamese versus Bengali -- and within that, the specific anxiety about undocumented Bangladeshi settlers claiming land and altering the demographic balance of the state.'

Assam Elections: Will BJP Score A Hatrick?

Assam Elections: Will BJP Score A Hatrick?

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

'The BJP's tally may dip, but the NDA is likely to retain power.'

'Identity politics isn't going away anywhere'

'Identity politics isn't going away anywhere'

Rediff.com5 Jan 2017

'The ruling provides a Constitutional template, it draws boundaries, and there is this expectation that henceforth political parties will not make crude appeals to religion for electoral gains.'

Bihar Implements UP-Style Encounters

Bihar Implements UP-Style Encounters

Rediff.com26 May 2026

Six police encounter in five days in Bihar, the first such action to deal with criminals in decades.

Sports World Mourns Demise Of Randhir Singh

Sports World Mourns Demise Of Randhir Singh

Rediff.com27 May 2026

Veteran sports administrator and India's first shooting gold-medallist in Asian Games, Randhir Singh, has died at the age of 79. Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed their condolences.

'Vijay Hasn't Displaced The Dravidian Frame. He Has Tried To Repossess It'

'Vijay Hasn't Displaced The Dravidian Frame. He Has Tried To Repossess It'

Rediff.com13 May 2026

'Vijay did not defeat Dravidian politics from outside. He entered the Dravidian field and claimed ownership of it. 'His argument was not that the room should be destroyed. It was that the present occupants no longer deserved to remain in it.'

China's Real Choke Point Starts at Hormuz, Not Malacca: Report

China's Real Choke Point Starts at Hormuz, Not Malacca: Report

Rediff.com29 May 2026

A new report suggests China's maritime vulnerability lies in the Strait of Hormuz, not Malacca, creating strategic competition in the Indian Ocean.

Former Army Chief Naravane supports RSS leader's push for talks with Pakistan

Former Army Chief Naravane supports RSS leader's push for talks with Pakistan

Rediff.com14 May 2026

Former Army Chief General (retd) Manoj Naravane has supported RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale's stand for fostering dialogue and people-to-people connections with neighbouring Pakistan, saying that such engagements are 'important'.

'A Big Battle Is Going On Within The Congress In Kerala'

'A Big Battle Is Going On Within The Congress In Kerala'

Rediff.com6 May 2026

'They will have to adjust themselves to the new reality. Because if they don't understand this changed political perception, their future will be difficult.'

RSS doesn't practice Hindutva politics, rather...: Bhagwat

RSS doesn't practice Hindutva politics, rather...: Bhagwat

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that the Sangh focuses on individual development to build a strong society and nation, rather than practicing Hindutva politics. He emphasized the importance of unity, devotion to the motherland, and the need for women's equal participation in governance.

Tamil Nadu Elections: 'Vijay Has Been Campaigning Very Intensely As A Christian'

Tamil Nadu Elections: 'Vijay Has Been Campaigning Very Intensely As A Christian'

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

'Remember Vijay had never spoke of himself as a Christian when he was a film star.' 'The BJP strategy is they want the Christian minority constituency to move away from the DMK.' 'That is what the BJP wants so that it will be very easy to mobilise Hindu votes.' 'This strategy is to weaken the Dravidian ideology and bring in religion based politics into Tamil Nadu.'

'Miya Vs Indigenous' Politics Reshaping Assam Poll

'Miya Vs Indigenous' Politics Reshaping Assam Poll

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

'Once demographic fear becomes campaign language, it legitimises social targeting.'

Anurag Kashyap's 10 Best Movies, Ranked

Anurag Kashyap's 10 Best Movies, Ranked

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

Anurag Kashyap, despite his claims of being done with Bollywood, continues to deliver compelling cinema, with his latest film 'Bandar' set to release on June 5.

BJP's first govt in Bengal to take oath on May 9; Modi, Shah, Nabin to attend

BJP's first govt in Bengal to take oath on May 9; Modi, Shah, Nabin to attend

Rediff.com6 May 2026

The BJP is set to form its first government in West Bengal, with the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. The event is expected to be attended by prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.