News for 'pluralism'

'Time to reinforce civilisational values,' President Mukherjee

'Time to reinforce civilisational values,' President Mukherjee

Rediff.com21 Nov 2015

President Mukherjee warned that "worst impulses of intolerance" are confronting the world and the time has come to reinforce civilisational values that bind us together.

Have BJP supporters understood Modi's G-7 message?

Have BJP supporters understood Modi's G-7 message?

Rediff.com16 Jun 2021

'Given this dissonance between India's age-old multicultural tenets and the anti-minority temper of the present times, it cannot be easy for the BJP to maintain its balancing act to convince the world that all is well,' observes Amulya Ganguli.

Foundation stone for Ayodhya mosque to be laid on R-Day

Foundation stone for Ayodhya mosque to be laid on R-Day

Rediff.com17 Dec 2020

"The Trust chose January 26, 2021 for laying the foundation stone of the Ayodhya mosque as on this day our Constitution came into effect over seven decades ago. Our Constitution is based on pluralism, which is the leitmotif of our mosque project," said Athar Hussain, secretary of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF).

CJI raises concern over judiciary infra in presence of Law minister

CJI raises concern over judiciary infra in presence of Law minister

Rediff.com23 Oct 2021

"We are faced with certain hard facts like several courts do not have proper facilities. Some courts function out of dilapidated buildings. Judicial infrastructure is important for improving access to justice," he said.

Return of awards a 'spontaneous' form of protest: President Pranab

Return of awards a 'spontaneous' form of protest: President Pranab

Rediff.com26 Nov 2015

President Pranab Mukherjee has said that the return of awards by writers and intellectuals was "evidently spontaneous" and a way of protest that has triggered a nation-wide debate on the issue of intolerance, a release issued on Thursday by a group of intellectuals has claimed.

Modi should not enter turf that angels fear to tread

Modi should not enter turf that angels fear to tread

Rediff.com27 Feb 2022

'Frankly, India has no role to play.' 'This is a showdown between the US and NATO on one hand and Russia on the other.' 'That said, the outcome of this titanic struggle in Central Europe will remould the world order and affect India profoundly,' argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Ukraine Crisis: India On A Safe Wicket

Ukraine Crisis: India On A Safe Wicket

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

American analysts and their camp followers in India are talking absolute rubbish when they try to establish that India is facing a Hobson's choice in regard of Donbass, called upon to take sides between Russia and the West, asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Trump failed on human rights in India: Sanders on Delhi violence

Trump failed on human rights in India: Sanders on Delhi violence

Rediff.com27 Feb 2020

Sanders is the second Democratic presidential nominee after Senator Elizabeth Warren to speak against the violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act in New Delhi.

5 Indians make it on TIME's most influential list

5 Indians make it on TIME's most influential list

Rediff.com23 Sep 2020

This year, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana, the 'dadi from Shaheen Bhagh' Bilkis, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Professor Ravindra Gupta are among TIME's 100 most influential people of 2020.

'India's distinctiveness will survive the present attempts to stifle it'

'India's distinctiveness will survive the present attempts to stifle it'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2021

'India's defining characteristic has been its ability to manage and sustain democratic governance through an accommodation of ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity.'

Sonia may appoint vice-presidents, panel to assist her

Sonia may appoint vice-presidents, panel to assist her

Rediff.com24 Aug 2020

The sources said some leaders may be attached to her to decrease her workload. With the CWC meeting held in the backdrop of the letter of 20 party leaders to Sonia Gandhi which raised some heckles, several leaders expressed their views in the meeting lasted for over seven hours.

Pakistan is 'arsonist' disguising itself as 'fire-fighter': India at UNGA

Pakistan is 'arsonist' disguising itself as 'fire-fighter': India at UNGA

Rediff.com25 Sep 2021

"We keep hearing that Pakistan is a 'victim of terrorism'. This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a fire-fighter. Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbours," India's first secretary Sneha Dubey said in the UN General Assembly on Friday.

In R-Day address, Prez calls LS polls a 'once-in-a-century-moment'

In R-Day address, Prez calls LS polls a 'once-in-a-century-moment'

Rediff.com25 Jan 2019

'This country belongs to each of us and to all of us -- every group and every community, every region and every identity.'

SC quashes FIR lodged against journo Patricia Mukhim over FB post

SC quashes FIR lodged against journo Patricia Mukhim over FB post

Rediff.com25 Mar 2021

Mukhim's counsel had earlier argued before the apex court that there was no intention to create disharmony or conflict through the post which referred to an incident of a murderous assault on July 3, 2020.

Spirit of tolerance is what makes us Indians: President Pranab Mukherjee

Spirit of tolerance is what makes us Indians: President Pranab Mukherjee

Rediff.com25 May 2017

The president also said that the press would be failing in its duty if it does not pose questions to the powers.

Political war erupts over Uniform Civil Code

Political war erupts over Uniform Civil Code

Rediff.com13 Oct 2016

In the face of strong opposition to Uniform Civil Code by Muslim outfits, the Congress on Thursday said its implementation would be impossible while the Bharatiya Janata Party asserted that the move is aimed at moving towards a progressive society.

Accept criticism as argument, not as intolerance: Prez at IIM-C

Accept criticism as argument, not as intolerance: Prez at IIM-C

Rediff.com1 Apr 2017

Referring to first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as the one who built modern India, Mukherjee said that he had helped build an atmosphere of free debate and discussions and not conflict and confrontation.

When polls arrive Mamata will be alone in TMC: Amit Shah

When polls arrive Mamata will be alone in TMC: Amit Shah

Rediff.com19 Dec 2020

Addressing a party rally in Midnapore, Shah alleged the Mamata Banerjee government was steeped in corruption resulting in alienation of the masses.

NCERT adds Art 370 abrogation to Class 12 textbook

NCERT adds Art 370 abrogation to Class 12 textbook

Rediff.com21 Jul 2020

Earlier this month, a controversy had erupted over the reduction of syllabus by the Central Board of Secondary Education due to the COVID-19 situation, with the Opposition alleging that chapters on India's democracy and plurality are being "dropped" to propagate a particular ideology.

Does Biden trust India?

Does Biden trust India?

Rediff.com29 Jul 2021

The Blinken visit indicated that the Biden administration is still somewhat tentative about the specifics of its relations with India, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, who has served multiple stints at India's embassy in Washington, DC.

Azam Khan flays Modi, takes up Dadri lynching with UN

Azam Khan flays Modi, takes up Dadri lynching with UN

Rediff.com5 Oct 2015

Azam Khan, the Uttar Pradesh minister for urban development and minority affairs, has sought intervention of the United Nations to what he terms as "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid to turn India into a theocratic majority nation."

US applauds India as a 'force of good': Blinken

US applauds India as a 'force of good': Blinken

Rediff.com29 Jul 2021

India and the US also made a strong push for the intra-Afghan peace process to end violence in Afghanistan and ensure that it does not become home to terrorism, and vowed to deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and on COVID-19 response and economic recovery.

Row over CBSE reducing syllabus, board says one-time measure

Row over CBSE reducing syllabus, board says one-time measure

Rediff.com8 Jul 2020

The CBSE had announced that it had rationalised the syllabus for Classes 9 to 12 for the 2020-21 session by up to 30 per cent to make up for the academic loss caused due to COVID-19. However, it was the decision to drop topics related to Social Sciences which drew sharp reaction from opposition parties like the Congress, Left, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena.

Some countries exporting terror amid Covid: India at UN

Some countries exporting terror amid Covid: India at UN

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador T S Tirumurti, said on Tuesday that India condemns all forms of anti-semitism and all forms of discrimination on religious grounds anywhere in the world.

The Indian American conundrum: Liberal in US, conservative in India

The Indian American conundrum: Liberal in US, conservative in India

Rediff.com10 Feb 2021

Indian-Americans have relatively more conservative views of policies in India while on issues affecting the US, the diaspora has a more liberal take, according to a survey of the political attitudes of the influential community in this country.

My take aways from the Jaipur LitFest

My take aways from the Jaipur LitFest

Rediff.com4 Feb 2020

'Surprised by the absence of any sloganeering or even mild protest in an ambience so free and self-regulated, I asked a friend from Delhi whether he too, with sharp political antenna, was surprised at how smooth and easy going everything was,' notes Ambassador B S Prakash.

Why Xi's China resembles Nazi Germany

Why Xi's China resembles Nazi Germany

Rediff.com17 May 2021

Chinese hubris and the slippery slope it finds itself on have important lessons for authoritarian leaders elsewhere, including in India, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

More to Nehru's Absence from Azadi Poster Than Ideological Conflict

More to Nehru's Absence from Azadi Poster Than Ideological Conflict

Rediff.com11 Sep 2021

Public intellectuals who frame the ideological antipathy between the RSS & Co and Jawaharlal Nehru in the light of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination and Hindu Raj alone, miss the point by a yard, argues Shaan Kashyap.

'Is Constitution a mere administrative manual?'

'Is Constitution a mere administrative manual?'

Rediff.com13 Jan 2020

Eight eminent personalities have appealed to people to "introspect and audit" the working of the Constitution.

Leave politics out: Govt on row over new CBSE course

Leave politics out: Govt on row over new CBSE course

Rediff.com9 Jul 2020

The comments by the minister came following a controversy over the reduction of syllabus by the CBSE due to the COVID-19 situation, with the Opposition alleging that chapters on India's democracy and plurality are being "dropped" to propagate a particular ideology.

China's 'Sputnik Moment'

China's 'Sputnik Moment'

Rediff.com22 May 2021

'Seen in the context of world turmoil in face of the pandemic and the Chinese 'miracle' of being the only country in the world to control it, this is not merely a 'Sputnik' moment, but a 'Sputnik Plus' moment,' argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

AMU students, teachers protest against citizenship law

AMU students, teachers protest against citizenship law

Rediff.com13 Dec 2019

The district administration has blocked internet services in Aligarh since midnight in view of the protests.

What will the India of 2022 look like?

What will the India of 2022 look like?

Rediff.com13 Dec 2019

'As we reach 2022 we are creating a very new, different India where the Citizenship Amendment Act will be passed, NRC will be pushed through, Article 370 scrapped...'

Woman becomes 1st Sikh to graduate from US military academy

Woman becomes 1st Sikh to graduate from US military academy

Rediff.com13 Jun 2020

A second-generation immigrant born and raised in Roswell, Georgia, Narang had an early appreciation for military service due to her maternal grandfather's career in the Indian Army.

Kamala Harris recalls childhood visits to Chennai

Kamala Harris recalls childhood visits to Chennai

Rediff.com16 Aug 2020

Harris, 55, who is the first black to be selected as a vice-presidential candidate of a major party, took a trip down the memory lane, mentioning her 'long walks' in Madras (now Chennai) with her grandfather who would tell her about the 'heroes' responsible for the birth of the world's largest democracy.

CBI books Amnesty for FCRA violation; conducts raids

CBI books Amnesty for FCRA violation; conducts raids

Rediff.com15 Nov 2019

After the case was registered, the CBI carried out searches at four places in the national capital and Bengaluru.

Won't shy away from speaking against terrorism, India tells UNSC

Won't shy away from speaking against terrorism, India tells UNSC

Rediff.com5 Jan 2021

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, T S Tirumurti, made the remarks while speaking at a special flag installation ceremony organised at the Security Council stakeout here on Monday. Flags of the five new incoming non-permanent members of the Security Council - India, Norway, Kenya, Ireland and Mexico - were installed at the stakeout during the special ceremony.

Press Council rejects India's 138 ranking in Freedom Index

Press Council rejects India's 138 ranking in Freedom Index

Rediff.com6 May 2018

The India body said there was a "lack of clarity" on the inputs that weighed in the rankings which were based on "opinion or perception".

Modi's Dilemma

Modi's Dilemma

Rediff.com13 Mar 2021

Our precipitous decline is being noticed and recorded abroad with alarm. It is strange that within India we are carrying on as if it is business as usual, observes Aakar Patel.

Law panel seeks people's views on triple talaq, Uniform Civil Code

Law panel seeks people's views on triple talaq, Uniform Civil Code

Rediff.com7 Oct 2016

'Should the practice of triple talaq be abolished, retained or retained with suitable amendments; and whether a uniform civil code should be optional', are among 16 queries by the commission.