All stories by Jyoti Punwani
'We want Muslim Personal Law to be completely reformed'
Rediff.com21 Dec 2022'The BJP may no longer be in power after 2024, that doesn't mean we'll stop this campaign against polygamy.'
'We are the protectors of Hindus'
Rediff.com12 Dec 2022Police escorted the rally all the way, at one point standing in a row to prevent the rallyists from entering a side road where stood a huge mosque. Across the road, an old Muslim woman asked her Hindu neighbour what the rally was all about. The latter shrugged her ignorance, looking on in bewilderment at the young men with their saffron flags, all of them wearing Bajrang Dal T-shirts.
Was CIC Mahurkar Right In His Views?
Rediff.com2 Dec 2022'As CIC, you have the power to comment on policy matters. 'If you have very strong beliefs and you know your rulings will be reported, you will express your beliefs.'
'Saibaba Hovers Between Life And Death'
Rediff.com17 Oct 2022His spine, his heart, his pancreas -- one by one, all his organs have weakened, given the lack of medical treatment in jail, where he is kept in the notorious Anda cell. Continuous pain, frequent fainting spells, urinary problems, have all become part of his life.
'A civil democratic society can ill afford sacrificing the procedural safeguards legislatively provided'
Rediff.com14 Oct 2022'Sanction serves the salutary object of providing safeguard to the accused from unwarranted prosecution and the agony and trauma of trial, and in the context of the stringent provisions of the UAPA, is an integral facet of due process of law.' If the report to the sanctioning officer for the first five accused in the case lacked the qualities required under the law, then for Professor Saibaba, the sanction came much after his trial had started!
Will Suleman Usman Bakery Victims Get Justice?
Rediff.com1 Oct 2022The Sessions Court judge presiding over the trial was appointed to this court just a few months ago. Annoyed at its slow pace, he is cracking the whip on the prosecution.
'When were obstacles ever placed in the way of Hindu festivals?'
Rediff.com12 Sep 2022The ad is one more illustration of the way Maharashtra's new Shinde-Fadnavis government has been milking the Ganpati festival, with CM Eknath Shinde visiting Ganpati Mandals all day these last 10 days.
Why Did Pandu Narote, 35, Have To Die?
Rediff.com26 Aug 2022This is not the first time the Nagpur Jail authorities are being accused of negligence towards their inmates.
'I had fought for undivided India'
Rediff.com20 Aug 2022For his participation in Netaji's INA, Major Ghulam Ahmed Qureshi was put into solitary confinement in the Red Fort, charged with rebellion against the Crown. Despite Nehru, Asaf Ali and a host of top lawyers defending them, Qureshi and his fellow officers were sentenced to death.
'Any litigation is like a war'
Rediff.com16 Aug 2022'You know the factors against you and those in favour, and you use the weapons you have in accordance with the strategy you've developed.'
Bhima Koregaon Hearings: IO Asked To File Affidavit
Rediff.com15 Jul 2022ACP Shivaji Pawar has been asked to file his affidavit by August 15.
Bhima Koregaon: If Collector Had Acted On Time...
Rediff.com9 Jun 2022'This shows how casually these officials approached a dispute simmering for years which finally erupted into violence.'
Why Is Prof Saibaba Denied A Water Bottle in Jail?
Rediff.com26 May 2022It took a five-day hunger strike by the former Delhi University professor, in jail without a break for five years after being convicted of links with Maoists, for the jail administration to agree to his request for a water bottle.
Why Sharad Pawar Is Against The Bhima Koregaon 16's Arrests
Rediff.com6 May 2022Despite Sharad Pawar's categorical stand, the Maharashtra government has done nothing to ease the suffering of the Bhima Koregaon 16, who have been denied their basic rights to health and to communication with their families while in jail.
'We've been pushed against the wall and no one seems to care'
Rediff.com25 Apr 2022The silence is specially deafening from three parties that symbolised hope for Muslims: The Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Samajwadi Party. 'What fear prevents these leaders from at least talking about the way our community is being targeted?' 'Will they really lose Hindu votes if they do so?'
'Muslims have retreated into themselves'
Rediff.com22 Mar 2022'It's like the BJP is mocking people: Do what you want, we'll still win.'
'My nation, its dignity and welfare, is being defaced'
Rediff.com22 Mar 2022'Religion is being deprived of its spirituality and is being used for strife and war.' 'The task right now is to keep raising a voice in favour of the 'Real Hindustan', its democracy, its composite culture, its people and their welfare.'
'My religion, my country is here. Where will we go?'
Rediff.com18 Mar 2022'I really wish I knew how to arouse love in the hearts of people, how to make them understand that religion comes later, first we are all humans.'
'Women in Punjab were fed up with Congress, Akalis'
Rediff.com11 Mar 2022'The 10% increase in women voters was a determined bloc of voters.' 'They were willing to try this third party, specially because it seemed it had done something in Delhi.'
'Average Muslim in UP can't run away'
Rediff.com10 Mar 2022'He won't be able to migrate; he must survive in that environment.' 'He will go back after the election to becoming invisible.'