'They have to be seen as being responsive to the employment woes and economic stagnation afflicting many young people.'
Reacting strongly to reports of the Law Commission considering proposals for reforms in Muslim family laws, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has said the measures were "ill-motivated" and have been suggested "to pave the way for enactment of a uniform civil code of the Shariat laws".
The message for 2024 is that the man on the street is not going to be euphoric if the G-20 crowns Modi as king-emperor for 2023, or if India sends its first man to space just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Even a 'temple consecration' in Ayodhya, or a Uniform Civil Code, or both of them together, may not have enough electoral purchase if fuel and commodity prices are not rolled back, and money-in-the-pocket does not fatten, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.
The Samajwadi Party today said it has no problem with the BJP if the saffron party gives up its Hindutva issues, drawing a sharp reaction from the main opposition party which said it cannot make sacrifice its ideology for short-term political gains.
'According to the survey, ideological issues like Article 370 and Ayodhya received only 14 and 12 per cent voter-backing, respectively.' 'It could well imply that hardline Hindutva issues have only that much voter-purchase, compared to Modi's overall popularity of 52 per cent -- putting the man way above the mission,' points out N Sathiya Moorthy.
Irrespective of their religious background, people are free to adopt children, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday, paving the way for the adoption of children by people from the Muslim community even though it is not allowed under their personal law.
Nasreen said she had been fighting religious fundamentalists for a long time. She had used her writing as a means to protest against fundamentalism, extremism and obscurantism.
'The irony of Indian political history is that those who championed the cause of the UCC destroyed the prospects of the UCC by pushing Muslims to their back,' says Reverend Valson Thampu.
Three days before the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday, April 8, released its manifesto with a focus on development and national security.
Ansuya Dutt, who never stopped fighting for women's rights, can be an inspiration to us never to lose sight of our basic beliefs, never mind peer pressure.
NDA partners will meet on Monday in the backdrop of the controversy generated over the BJP's attempts to revive the Hindutva issue.
'It is no business of the Supreme Court to advise the government or Parliament with regard to passing a law,' says Fali Nariman.
The former head of Delhi's Jama Masjid was in Ajmer to visit the memorial to Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.
The former Union minister said the population debate is 'utterly misplaced' and half a century out-of-date as a large majority of Indian states have achieved replacement levels of fertility.
'The timing is a little suspect.' 'Could it be, just be, a convenient tool to wield months ahead of a hyper-crucial state election, judge if its efficacy in sending out its subliminal message is intact, and accordingly decide the future course of action on the long but quick road to 2019?'
In an apparent jibe at the opposition BJP in Maharashtra, Pawar said some people were getting anxious after losing power.
Sena minister Ramdas Kadam claimed that the CM has agreed to cancel the directive.
In an apparent barb at Modi, the Sena said, "Special efforts are being made to bring in burqa-clad women faces to (Modi's) public rallies. Everyone is in a hurry to appease minorities."
Campaigning came to an end on Saturday for the single-day election in Uttarakhand and Goa, two states known for political volatility where the Bharatiya Janata Party is attempting to retain power, and for the second phase of assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh on February 14.
Adityanath called for an end to the Muslim practice of 'triple talaq' and advocated implementation of a common civil code in the country.
The RSS chief recalled how Vajpayee "had almost solved the Kashmir issue but later governments did not follow up on Vajpayee's efforts".
The Janata Dal-United said that it disagrees with its ally BJP's stand on the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A -- which pertains to special rights given to Jammu-Kashmir -- as well as the construction of Ram temple and instant talaq.
Here's a recap of events that occurred in India in the past 24 hours.
There is disquiet and discomfort in the citizenry that can be touched and felt. No one is talking, but then, the Indian voter has not talked much -- with the conviction that all that goes up has to come down, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.
Seeking to allay any apprehensions among Muslims, Narendra Modi on Monday ruled out scrapping any existing constitutional and statutory mechanisms meant for their welfare and said he would instead work to strengthen them.
Noting that the session is taking place just ahead of the 70th Independence Day, Modi said he was confident that discussions of the highest standard will be held.
His successful piloting of the move to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its special status is undoubtedly the highlight of his ministerial stint since the Modi 2.0 government assumed office on May 30.
The Sena has repeatedly said that its choice for the the highest office is the RSS chief.
Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party on Monday promised reservations to Muslims as well as Marathas, implementation of Rajinder Sachar committee report, and support for `statehood to Andaman and Nicobar' in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, released in Mumbai.
"It is a historic day. We are making history today," Law Minister said.
'It is not that I don't want to say "Jai Shri Ram".' I only said I will not say this slogan under any pressure.'
BJP would observe the next 10 days -- from Sunday to September 17, the birthday of the PM -- as 'seva parva'.
"Bring an ordinance on Ram temple and fulfil at least one promise made to Hindus," said the party.
Ignoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warning to the Bharatiya Janta Party leaders not to cross the 'lakshman rekha' with controversial remarks, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal on Wednesday claimed the reconversion programme was an ongoing process and asserted that it will continue by spreading love and on consent of such people.
'You cannot suppress a section of society permanently.' 'The spark of revolt will catch fire sooner or later.'
'The government may backpedal for now to stave off bad international press and diplomatic demarches, but that it will go ahead with putting religion at the centre of citizenship rules is certain.' 'For it is convinced that this is the magic bullet that will ensure its return to power in 2024,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
Modi, Shah and Nadda have created a strategy to boost the BJP and the government's image.