News for 'secular activity'

'Nitish's compromises are for short-term gains'

'Nitish's compromises are for short-term gains'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2020

'The JD-U has become an ideology-less accessory to the BJP,' says Ambassador Pavan Varma, who has been expelled from the JD-U.

Ties with Pak can't improve if terror acts continue: PM

Ties with Pak can't improve if terror acts continue: PM

Rediff.com15 Aug 2013

In a strong message to Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said anti-India activities emanating from there will have to stop for relations to improve and asserted that all steps will be taken to prevent "dastardly" acts like the recent killing of jawans on the LoC.

'Terrorism factory' Pakistan mistreats religious minorities: India at UNHRC

'Terrorism factory' Pakistan mistreats religious minorities: India at UNHRC

Rediff.com15 Mar 2017

India on Wednesday asked Pakistan to rein in its "compulsive hostility" towards it and fulfil its obligation to vacate illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which has become a "hub" for the global export of terror.

Tejaswi denies comparing Pathankot with Gaya; Lalu rushes to his defence

Tejaswi denies comparing Pathankot with Gaya; Lalu rushes to his defence

Rediff.com13 May 2016

Tejaswi drew support from his father and RJD president Lalu Prasad who hit out at BJP for "misinterpreting" the comment.

'They are making Ayodhya like Vatican or Mecca'

'They are making Ayodhya like Vatican or Mecca'

Rediff.com5 Aug 2020

'This is about reviving this country as a centre of Hindutva at Ayodhya.'

It's time to look at the anti-defection law

It's time to look at the anti-defection law

Rediff.com31 May 2018

'What happens in case the party joins a post-poll alliance with another party whose ideology the legislator is opposed to?' 'Should s/he let down her/his voters merely because her/his party leadership has taken a decision in that direction?' asks Aakar Patel.

Yoga Day: Mamata, Kumaraswamy, Kejriwal skip events

Yoga Day: Mamata, Kumaraswamy, Kejriwal skip events

Rediff.com21 Jun 2018

Kejriwal, who had joined International Yoga Day participants last year along with Lt Governor Anil Baijal and the then Union minister and now Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, was found having high blood sugar following his nine-day, arduous sit-in at the Lieutenant Governor's office.

Karnataka govt exhales as Speaker rejects resignations

Karnataka govt exhales as Speaker rejects resignations

Rediff.com9 Jul 2019

In a counter offensive after 13 MLAs resigned on Saturday dealing a blow to the 13-month-old government, a delegation of Congress leaders met Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar and submitted the petition seeking, under the anti-defection law, disqualification of the rebel legislators in line with the decision taken at a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party on Tuesday.

BJP will have to treat Nitish with kid gloves

BJP will have to treat Nitish with kid gloves

Rediff.com17 Nov 2020

Nitish Kumar will be the chief minister only till the time the BJP wishes, points out Ramesh Menon.

BJP should wind up, RSS can take over: Rajasthan CM

BJP should wind up, RSS can take over: Rajasthan CM

Rediff.com16 Sep 2013

Ashok Gehlot, the otherwise soft-spoken chief minister of Rajasthan, has lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party over its decision to nominate Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the party's prime ministerial candidate.

Fed holds rates steady in nod to global economic weakness

Fed holds rates steady in nod to global economic weakness

Rediff.com18 Sep 2015

The central bank maintained its bias towards a rate hike.

Solomon would have been proud of Ayodhya verdict

Solomon would have been proud of Ayodhya verdict

Rediff.com9 Dec 2019

The Ayodhya judgment of November 9 draws on both the polytheism of Hinduism and the modern rule of law, says Deepak Lal.

How the BJP discriminates against Hindus

How the BJP discriminates against Hindus

Rediff.com1 Dec 2017

'One one hand, the BJP puts Uniform Civil Code as a goal in its manifesto, and on the other, it pushes massive discrimination against Hindus.' 'This is not sabka saath, sabka vikas. Rather it is "Haj ka saath, church ka vikas",' argues Sankrant Sanu.

Palghar lynching: 'They couldn't blame Muslims, so now it's Communists'

Palghar lynching: 'They couldn't blame Muslims, so now it's Communists'

Rediff.com23 Apr 2020

'When you have a village which is controlled by the BJP, who are the people likely to perpetrate the attack?'

Supreme Court verdict: Back to square one, if not minus one

Supreme Court verdict: Back to square one, if not minus one

Rediff.com11 Jan 2017

'Disturbingly, the dissenting judgment of the Supreme Court has raised doubts whether religion, race, caste, community, language etc can be separated from politics at all. It has rightly underlined that this question should to be addressed by Parliament rather than the Supreme Court,' says Dr Madhav Godbole, the former Union home secretary.

Gogoi hints at stepping down from leadership position

Gogoi hints at stepping down from leadership position

Rediff.com17 Oct 2013

Indicating his decision to step down from leadership position, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday said next year's Lok Sabha election will be the last in the state under his charge of Congress.

Hit by exodus, BSP scouts for leaders

Hit by exodus, BSP scouts for leaders

Rediff.com25 Feb 2018

The BSP is planning to bring the second line of leadership from among the cadres.

Poet Satchidanandan quits Akademi, says it failed to stand with writers

Poet Satchidanandan quits Akademi, says it failed to stand with writers

Rediff.com10 Oct 2015

Eminent poet and writer K Satchidanandan on Saturday resigned from all committees of the Sahitya Akademi, saying the literary body had "failed" in its duty to stand with writers and uphold freedom of expression.

6 parties skip meeting as Oppn calls for CAA repeal

6 parties skip meeting as Oppn calls for CAA repeal

Rediff.com13 Jan 2020

The meeting was convened by the Congress. Six major parties -- the DMK, the SP, the BSP, the TMC, the AAP and the Shiv Sena -- choose to stay away. The BJP took a swipe at the absence of major opposition parties at the meet and also said that their anti-CAA resolution must've made Pak happy.

The Incomparable Ved Mehta

The Incomparable Ved Mehta

Rediff.com11 Jan 2021

On a visit to India in 2013, writer Ved Mehta -- who passed into the ages on Sunday January 10, 2021 - gave Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel a rare glimpse into his state of mind and what he thinks of the changes he encounters in his motherland.

To counter BJP online, she will be Cong's new weapon

To counter BJP online, she will be Cong's new weapon

Rediff.com12 May 2017

Kannada actor and former MP Ramya has been selected to lead the party's social media outreach.

The litmus test that Budget 2018 faces

The litmus test that Budget 2018 faces

Rediff.com2 Feb 2018

For maintaining sustained demand in domestic consumption and household investment, the economy must generate enough jobs in the formal sector,says Shubhashis Gangopadhyay.

DIG Roopa, who alleged VIP treatment to Sasikala in jail, transferred

DIG Roopa, who alleged VIP treatment to Sasikala in jail, transferred

Rediff.com17 Jul 2017

Roopa has now been posted as commissioner for road safety & traffic.

'Time to accept that Dhaka attackers had an IS link'

'Time to accept that Dhaka attackers had an IS link'

Rediff.com8 Jul 2016

'The police had cautioned me that there could be some 'trouble' in Dhaka by the end of June.' 'Once brainwashed, these young people don't think twice about killing people, thinking such an act will pave the path for heaven.'

Sahitya Akademi awardee charged with sedition for remarks on citizenship bill

Sahitya Akademi awardee charged with sedition for remarks on citizenship bill

Rediff.com10 Jan 2019

The police on Thursday booked litterateur Hiren Gohain, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti chief Gogoi and senior journalist Manjit Mahanta under sedition charges for their comments on the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Bhima Koregaon violence: Pawar wants bigger picture

Bhima Koregaon violence: Pawar wants bigger picture

Rediff.com12 Sep 2020

'Isn't it tragic, comic as well as ironic that the people who owe their allegiance to the Constitution of India are declared deshdrohis without an iota of evidence?' 'But this mistake has to be corrected and those who actually and directly fomented the Bhima Koregaon riots and the masterminds behind these people will have to be exposed now.'

Kanchi seer will be remembered for his outreach to all

Kanchi seer will be remembered for his outreach to all

Rediff.com28 Feb 2018

'The Kanchi Mutt was energised by Pudu Periyava.' 'Instead of people coming to the Mutt, he has taken the Mutt to the people in several dimensions.'

The man Turkey believes orchestrated the coup

The man Turkey believes orchestrated the coup

Rediff.com16 Jul 2016

Fethullah Gulen's movement has been feared by some for its ability to mobilize considerable resources and for its influence among decision-makers

RS polls in Karnataka to go ahead as scheduled

RS polls in Karnataka to go ahead as scheduled

Rediff.com9 Jun 2016

The Commission said it cannot, under the existing law, disqualify a contesting candidate or prevent him from contesting the election, nor can it prevent an elector from casting his vote in an election, if otherwise qualified and eligible, as is being demanded by some of the parties.

Puja, havan at UP CM's residence before Adityanath moves in

Puja, havan at UP CM's residence before Adityanath moves in

Rediff.com20 Mar 2017

The priest informed that seven rooms of the CM's residence were 'purified'.

Can Opposition unite before 2019?

Can Opposition unite before 2019?

Rediff.com5 Feb 2018

The road for the Opposition is full of 'ifs' and 'buts', reports Sunil Gatade.

'A person who has understood Islam will never become a fundamentalist'

'A person who has understood Islam will never become a fundamentalist'

Rediff.com5 Jul 2016

'When you have the freedom to have mosques, the freedom to have madrasas and the freedom to pray, why should you turn to terrorism?' 'Both mother and father are equally important to every person. Similarly, both our country and religion are important for a citizen.' 'I would say that terrorism has no religion. A small segment of people from all religions are terrorists.'

'Protests have forced government on the backfoot'

'Protests have forced government on the backfoot'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2020

'The protests have forced the government to announce that the NRC is not an immediate priority.' 'Even if they are trying to pursue this policy in a different guise, through the NPR, the fact that they have been forced to pause and backtrack at least temporarily shows the positive impact of the protests.' 'Moreover, various state governments have opposed the NPR which cannot be carried out without their cooperation. That is also a success of the protests.' 'The state governments would not have taken this stance against the central government if their hand had not been forced by the popular mood.'

No OIC meet in Pak: Great Game plays out within Islam

No OIC meet in Pak: Great Game plays out within Islam

Rediff.com10 Feb 2020

'The more emphatic denial of any proposal for an OIC foreign ministers meet in Islamabad appears aimed at keeping Pakistan on a leash,' notes Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd).

60 years of EMS's dismissal: Nehru's darkest hour

60 years of EMS's dismissal: Nehru's darkest hour

Rediff.com1 Aug 2019

'The Kerala saga also requires a reappraisal of Nehru himself. 'The real Nehru is to be found somewhere between the syrupy panegyrics on him and the demonisation of him that is currently happening,' says Ambassador MK Bhadrakumar.

There are 2 JD-Us, original with me: Sharad Yadav

There are 2 JD-Us, original with me: Sharad Yadav

Rediff.com11 Aug 2017

He said Nitish betrayed people's mandate by breaking Grand Alliance.

India must be militarily prepared for the worst

India must be militarily prepared for the worst

Rediff.com5 Jun 2020

'One must remember that a dragon has a forked tongue,' warns Vivek Gumaste.

Dissidence erupts in Congress and JD-S after Cabinet expansion

Dissidence erupts in Congress and JD-S after Cabinet expansion

Rediff.com9 Jun 2018

Congress President Rahul Gandhi met disgruntled Karnataka MLAs led by M B Patil in the national capital but the talks remained inconclusive.

What will the next generation of Indian leaders look like?

What will the next generation of Indian leaders look like?

Rediff.com4 Aug 2018

Will the next generation possess an even more internationalist outlook, and lose their Indian identities entirely? Will they continue to believe in a larger role for business in society and go beyond the boardroom to truly understand the Indian consumer, ask Geoffrey Jones & Vinay Sridhar of Harvard Business School.

When there is a BJP PM in New Delhi, party is run by nobodies

When there is a BJP PM in New Delhi, party is run by nobodies

Rediff.com26 Sep 2014

No BJP president is powerful when the party is in power. Amit Shah is completely dependent on Narendra Modi's clout. He has a protective political immunity and everyone knows its source, says Bharat Bhushan