All stories by SYED FIRDAUS ASHRAF
'RTI is going to die. It is on ventilator now'
Rediff.com25 Jul 2019Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com finds out how the government is seeking to change the RTI Act, and what impact it will have on the Right to Information.
'Several problems about India borrowing overseas'
Rediff.com17 Jul 2019'The most important thing is that the psychological signal it is giving to the markets and international markets,' says former finance secretary Arvind Mayaram.
7 states where Congress MLAs quit to help BJP
Rediff.com12 Jul 2019Syed Firdaus Ashraf lists seven states where the Grand Old Party suffered a severe setback.
'This move in Goa has been done to help BJP in Karnataka'
Rediff.com12 Jul 2019'They just want to show that the Congress is in disarray.'
'BJP won't be able to suppress democracy'
Rediff.com11 Jul 2019'After the Parliament election results many people are confused and that is why this crisis has erupted
Trailer: Does Batla House tell the encounter honestly?
Rediff.com10 Jul 2019The answers will come -- hopefully! -- when the film releases on August 15, feels Syed Firdaus Ashraf.
10 reasons why Karnataka govt is in CRISIS
Rediff.com9 Jul 201910 reasons why the Congress-JD-S government is on the brink of collapse.
'Muslims refuse to be known as opponents of Hindutva'
Rediff.com3 Jul 2019'The anti-Muslim discourse creates an atmosphere of fear.'
'Zaira Wasim episode is taking Islam backward'
Rediff.com2 Jul 2019'Why should she involve Islam in it?' 'We are living in a secular democracy and she has the right to do what she wants. but why bring Islam into it?'
'Modi wants to divert the issue of jobs to mobs'
Rediff.com27 Jun 2019'The government must consider that Modiji's vision of India turning into a $5 trillion economy will happen only when there is rule of law in the country.' 'Investors will not invest if these lynchings keep happening.'
'Secular parties have abandoned Muslims'
Rediff.com25 Jun 2019'Which path should Muslims take politically as they have been completely marginalised?'
Viral Acharya and 7 economists who quit
Rediff.com25 Jun 2019Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Viral Acharya is the eighth economist to quit since the Modi government took office.
'Mamata is clearly talking of appeasement'
Rediff.com24 Jun 2019'I don't think the state administration has shown the resolve to enter Muslim neighbourhoods and arrest offenders in the last decade.'
'There will be more buyers for Jet after NCLT hearing'
Rediff.com20 Jun 2019'When Etihad initiated their bid, it was conditional.' 'They said only if someone takes a 'haircut' would they be interested.'
'Doctors must not be harmed by mobs'
Rediff.com19 Jun 2019'The government must have armed security personnel for doctors and only then they can go and serve people.'
'21 Indian cities will have zero tap water'
Rediff.com18 Jun 2019'If the government does not take any action soon, 21 cities of India will become like Cape Town, with no water.' 'Four cities -- Delhi, Gurgaon, Meerut and Faridabad -- will suffer the worst.'
'Muslims must not fear to live in India'
Rediff.com14 Jun 2019'Muslims must show patience and endurance.' 'The perception that has been created against them needs to be changed by them.'
Prashant Kanojia and 9 cases that should worry you
Rediff.com13 Jun 2019One would not think that a Facebook status or a tweet could land you in jail, at least not in India -- the world's largest democracy. However, the reality is a lot more brutal in India, which has a shameful history of locking up its citizens for dissenting viewpoints. According to Mint, at least 50 people have been arrested through 2017 and 2018 for posts on social media. Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com presents some of the most prominent cases.
'No fear of India turning authoritarian'
Rediff.com7 Jun 2019'The objective is not to make India into a one religion place, but to ensure that there is harmonious and peaceful co-existence of all faiths with each of them having their cultural personality.'
'Time for BJP to initiate conversation with Muslims'
Rediff.com7 Jun 2019'For Muslims it is time to understand what sense of fears are in the minds of Hindus.' 'I think the conversation somewhere is not taking place.'